How to Become a Pastry Chef in Maine (2026)
Maine employs about 1,380 pastry chefs earning a median $37,390 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Bakers”). Most pastry chefs train through an approved program before entering the field in Maine.
Compare Pastry Chef Schools in Maine
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinton Essex Warren Washington BOCES | 67.0 | Contact school for pricing | $39,772 | 89% | — | 212 mi |
| 2 | Kennebec Valley Community College | 61.5 | $4,156 in-state / $7,036 out-of-state | $52,079 | 39% | Yes* | 40 mi |
| 3 | Central Maine Community College | 58.7 | $4,140 in-state / $7,020 out-of-state | $51,345 | 30% | Yes* | 84 mi |
| 4 | York County Community College | 56.0 | $4,156 in-state / $7,036 out-of-state | $46,153 | 34% | Yes* | 142 mi |
| 5 | Bunker Hill Community College | 55.2 | $6,168 in-state / $11,112 out-of-state | $56,376 | 13% | Yes* | 210 mi |
| 6 | Eastern Maine Community College | 53.4 | $4,156 in-state / $7,036 out-of-state | $48,024 | 32% | Yes* | 31 mi |
| 7 | Lakes Region Community College | 52.5 | $6,720 in-state / $14,970 out-of-state | $49,311 | 46% | — | 156 mi |
| 8 | Northern Essex Community College | 52.4 | $6,732 in-state / $12,516 out-of-state | $52,743 | 21% | Yes* | 183 mi |
| 9 | Nashua Community College | 49.0 | $7,140 in-state / $15,390 out-of-state | $54,792 | 38% | Yes* | 196 mi |
| 10 | North Shore Community College | 46.7 | $5,352 in-state / $10,920 out-of-state | $54,714 | 18% | — | 194 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Maine employs approximately 1,380 workers in the related “Bakers” category (SOC 51-3011), with a median annual wage of $37,390 1. The state’s concentration of jobs in this category is 1.42x the national average, indicating strong regional demand. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 39,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pastry Chef in Maine, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track pastry chef salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Bakers (SOC 51-3011). Actual pastry chef earnings may vary.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school or community college
- Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
- Median wage (Maine): $37,390 per year (based on related “Bakers” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pastry Chef in Maine
How to become a Pastry Chef in Maine? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pastry chefs in Maine.
How long does it take? pastry chef training length in Maine varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do pastry chefs earn in Maine? The BLS does not track pastry chef wages separately. Based on the related “Bakers” category, the median annual wage in Maine is $37,390, with entry-level wages around $32,210 and experienced workers earning $46,490 or more 1.
How to Become a Pastry Chef in Maine
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Maine training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved pastry chef program in Maine that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to pastry chefs in Maine before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Pastry Chef Wages by Metro Area in Maine
Chefs and Head Cooks Wages by Metro Area in Maine
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), chefs and head cooks wages in Maine vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | 4,140 | $47,366 | $48,575 | $40,354 | $58,631 |
| Bangor | 770 | $42,367 | $44,112 | $38,103 | $51,175 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | 500 | $43,232 | $44,275 | $38,002 | $52,184 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pastry chefs in Maine? Maine employs approximately 1,380 workers in the related “Bakers” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Maine? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Maine.
How much do pastry chefs earn in Maine compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pastry chefs in Maine is $37,390 (based on the related “Bakers” category), which is $740 above the national median of $36,650 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |