Bakers have a concept in their head of what they are worth and what pay and conditions are enough for their experience and effort. The concept is based on a messy formula of what others are getting paid, what employers say they are prepared to pay, and conditions and incentives on offer.

Two years ago I met a baker who earned $1000 per week working mornings in a franchise, then $250 per week cleaning the mall after her baking shift. That’s $1250 per week for a shift that never ends. She thought she was way ahead, earning $60,000 per year ‘as a baker’.

Fair Work Australia Modern Award MA000073 is an important base every baker should be aware of. It is particularly relevant for bakers who are still developing trade skills, and bakers working in more tightly structured environments such as factories and franchises. Have a read of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Manufacturing Award 2010 is located in the documents section of the Fair Work Commission website (www.fwc.gov.au).

Experienced bakers are influenced more by what the market (employers) are prepared to pay. Simply put, an employer has a job that can make $XXXX. They want a baker that can do it for $X but are prepared to pay closer to $XX if you can do the job in a highly professional, headache-free manner (X’s intentional).

A baker experienced enough to discuss the requirements of a bake with their boss and complete the entire bake themselves is looking in the $45,000 to $60,000 range, with some bakers touching $70,000 for higher responsibility positions. At the high end you are expected to take more ownership of the bake, perhaps researching the market and developing product lines.

Most bakers in Australia earn close to $50,000. That’s around $800 per week in the bank. In slower, regional areas, the rate can dip below $45,000 ($730 per week banked). In low-salary situations employers and bakers can look at ways to improve conditions as incentives to motivate and attract quality talent, for example, daytime baking, short shifts, accommodation offsets and meal provisions.

Salary estimates used here are full-time, gross and before superannuation is added on. Be aware that penalty rates can cause significant variations in pay totals. You can estimate ‘in-your-pocket’ incomes using the online tax calculator www.paycalculator.com.au.

For more information visit BakerTrade, an employment service for bakers and bakeries www.bakertrade.com, or Artisan Baker at artisanbaker.com.au.