How to Become a Pastry Chef in Maryland (2026)
Maryland employs about 2,740 pastry chefs earning a median $37,040 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Bakers”). Most pastry chefs train through an approved program before entering the field in Maryland.
Compare Pastry Chef Schools in Maryland
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frederick Community College | 71.1 | $3,849 in-state / $10,042 out-of-state | $54,058 | 37% | Yes* | 20 mi |
| 2 | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | 71.1 | $4,752 in-state / $8,808 out-of-state | $45,612 | 32% | Yes* | 46 mi |
| 3 | YTI Career Institute-York | 66.8 | Contact school for pricing | $40,192 | 45% | Yes* | 62 mi |
| 4 | Northern Virginia Community College | 62.5 | $5,891 in-state / $12,409 out-of-state | $57,487 | 33% | Yes* | 25 mi |
| 5 | Allegany College of Maryland | 53.1 | $4,938 in-state / $12,618 out-of-state | $47,031 | 40% | Yes* | 87 mi |
| 6 | Columbia College | 52.0 | Contact school for pricing | $29,040 | 80% | Yes* | 21 mi |
| 7 | Prince George's Community College | 48.7 | $4,034 in-state / $8,762 out-of-state | $62,100 | 18% | Yes* | 30 mi |
| 8 | Delaware Technical Community College-Terry | 48.4 | $5,445 in-state / $12,308 out-of-state | $55,102 | 22% | Yes* | 88 mi |
| 9 | Chesapeake College | 47.5 | $4,274 in-state / $8,768 out-of-state | $52,363 | 35% | Yes* | 63 mi |
| 10 | Lincoln College of Technology-Columbia | 37.7 | Contact school for pricing | $47,136 | 68% | — | 20 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, Maryland employs approximately 2,740 workers in the related “Bakers” category (SOC 51-3011), with a median annual wage of $37,040 1. 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 Maryland, 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 (Maryland): $37,040 per year (based on related “Bakers” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pastry Chef in Maryland
How to become a Pastry Chef in Maryland? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pastry chefs in Maryland.
How long does it take? pastry chef training length in Maryland varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do pastry chefs earn in Maryland? The BLS does not track pastry chef wages separately. Based on the related “Bakers” category, the median annual wage in Maryland is $37,040, with entry-level wages around $32,220 and experienced workers earning $51,150 or more 1.
How to Become a Pastry Chef in Maryland
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Maryland training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved pastry chef program in Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland
Chefs and Head Cooks Wages by Metro Area in Maryland
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), chefs and head cooks wages in Maryland vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 40,090 | $46,042 | $46,054 | $35,818 | $55,863 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 34,330 | $42,757 | $44,373 | $31,888 | $57,143 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | 10,670 | $40,895 | $43,310 | $35,215 | $54,724 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 910 | $35,360 | $35,899 | $28,417 | $45,990 |
| Lexington Park | 640 | $39,815 | $41,013 | $34,571 | $50,402 |
| Salisbury | 370 | $39,120 | $41,243 | $31,841 | $53,022 |
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 Maryland? Maryland employs approximately 2,740 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 Maryland? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Maryland.
How much do pastry chefs earn in Maryland compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pastry chefs in Maryland is $37,040 (based on the related “Bakers” category), which is $390 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) |