How much does a pastry chef make?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups this role under Chefs and Head Cooks (SOC 35-1011). In its May 2025 wage survey, the national median was $30.03 an hour, or about $62,470 a year for full-time work, across roughly 200,040 people employed nationally. The middle of the market sits between $18.22 at the 10th percentile and $47.39 at the 90th.
Pastry Chef pay in Boston
In the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area, the median for chefs and head cooks was $34.84 an hour ($72,470a year), reflecting Massachusetts' higher minimum wage and cost of living.
What moves the number
Pastry pay depends on the type of operation, with hotels and high-end restaurants usually paying more than small bakeries, as well as your technical range and local market. Leading a pastry program or managing staff raises pay. Early morning schedules and weekend work are common in the field.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. BLS figures for tipped roles may not capture all tip income. The BLS category is the closest official match for this role, not an exact one.
Posting this role? Listings with a real pay range get more applicants, and the Servestack jobs board requires one.