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SOC 5432 Textiles, printing and other skilled trades

Bakers and flour confectioners Salary

Median salary £26,983 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £27,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For bakers and flour confectioners, £29,117 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -25% versus the national average. Experienced bakers and flour confectioners (top 25%) earn over £34,125.

About this role

Bakers and flour confectioners prepare, cook and present food to established recipes and quality standards. They manage kitchen operations, maintain food safety and hygiene, develop menus and ensure consistent food quality in commercial catering environments.

Key responsibilities

  • Preparing and cooking food to recipe specifications and quality standards
  • Managing kitchen operations, stock and food ordering
  • Ensuring compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations
  • Developing and testing new menu items
  • Training and supervising kitchen team members

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically enters through an apprenticeship, college course (City & Guilds/NVQ) or on-the-job training. Food Safety Level 2/3 certification is mandatory. Higher-level roles benefit from culinary qualifications and extensive experience.

Career outlook

Persistent recruitment difficulties across the sector. Experienced chefs are in high demand, particularly in fine dining and specialist cuisine.

Key skills

Culinary skills Food safety and hygiene Time management Creativity Working under pressure

Common industries

  • Restaurants
  • Hotels
  • Contract catering
  • Hospitals and schools
  • Food manufacturing

Data coverage

SOC code 5432
Data source ONS ASHE
Years available 2015–2025
Estimated jobs 10,000

Median Salary

£26,983

Mean Salary

£27,201

Jobs (000s)

10k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P10: --P25: £21kMedian: £27kP75: £34kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£20,935

0-2 years

Mid Level

£20,935

3-7 years

Senior

£34,125

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +63% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Nominal growth: +56.6%Real growth: +13.5%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 12.8%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£26,983

Full-time Only

£29,117

Full-time premium: +£2,134

Bakers and flour confectioners salary: common questions

How much do bakers and flour confectioners earn in the UK?
Bakers and flour confectioners earn a median of £29,117 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £20,935 and £34,125.
Is £29,117 a good salary in the UK?
For bakers and flour confectioners, £29,117 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -25% versus the national average. Experienced bakers and flour confectioners (top 25%) earn over £34,125.
What is the starting salary for bakers and flour confectioners?
Entry-level bakers and flour confectioners typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £20,935, though this varies by employer and region.
Have bakers and flour confectioners salaries kept up with inflation?
Since 2015, median bakers and flour confectioners pay has risen from £17,943 to £29,117 — +62% in cash terms, or +18% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.
Is there a gender pay gap for bakers and flour confectioners?
Male bakers and flour confectioners earn a median £28,202 and female bakers and flour confectioners £24,584 — a gap of +13% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).