How to Become a Pastry Chef in Massachusetts (2026)
Massachusetts employs about 6,070 pastry chefs earning a median $38,130 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Bakers”). Most pastry chefs train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Massachusetts.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Massachusetts): $38,130/yr (Source: BLS OEWS (proxy: Bakers), 2025)
- Employed in Massachusetts: 6,070 workers (Source: BLS OEWS (proxy: Bakers), 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.10x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 5.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Pastry Chef Schools in Massachusetts
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quinsigamond Community College | 58.1 | Contact school for pricing | $55,076 | 21% | Yes* | 10 mi |
| 2 | Bunker Hill Community College | 55.2 | $6,168 - $14,899 | $56,376 | 16% | Yes* | 27 mi |
| 3 | Southeastern Technical Institute | 54.0 | Contact school for pricing | $48,037 | Not reported | — | 36 mi |
| 4 | Massasoit Community College | 53.9 | Contact school for pricing | $54,288 | 21% | Yes* | 37 mi |
| 5 | Northern Essex Community College | 52.4 | Contact school for pricing | $52,743 | 20% | Yes* | 42 mi |
| 6 | Bristol Community College | 49.8 | $5,832 - $12,168 | $48,840 | 22% | Yes* | 50 mi |
| 7 | Nashua Community College | 49.0 | Contact school for pricing | $54,792 | Not reported | Yes* | 31 mi |
| 8 | North Shore Community College | 46.7 | Contact school for pricing | $54,714 | 18% | — | 36 mi |
| 9 | Holyoke Community College | 43.9 | Contact school for pricing | $46,724 | 31% | Yes* | 55 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, Massachusetts employs approximately 6,070 workers in the related “Bakers” category (SOC 51-3011), with a median annual wage of $38,130 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 Massachusetts, 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.
Pastry Chef Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
Chefs and Head Cooks Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), chefs and head cooks wages in Massachusetts vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 31,710 | $48,549 | $49,465 | $38,337 | $63,129 |
| Providence-Warwick | 10,900 | $41,523 | $44,508 | $33,557 | $56,722 |
| Worcester | 3,660 | $46,228 | $46,806 | $37,208 | $60,050 |
| Barnstable Town | 2,250 | $48,452 | $49,336 | $37,832 | $62,878 |
| Springfield | 2,070 | $42,980 | $45,403 | $35,969 | $58,733 |
| Pittsfield | 920 | $46,733 | $46,912 | $36,537 | $63,322 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | 810 | $47,834 | $48,270 | $37,356 | $60,945 |
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 .
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Massachusetts): $38,130 per year (based on related “Bakers” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pastry Chef in Massachusetts
How to become a pastry chef in Massachusetts? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pastry chefs in Massachusetts.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do pastry chefs earn in Massachusetts? The BLS does not track pastry chef wages separately. Based on the related “Bakers” category, the median annual wage in Massachusetts is $38,130, with entry-level wages around $35,080 and experienced workers earning $47,750 or more 1.
How to Become a Pastry Chef in Massachusetts
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Massachusetts training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Massachusetts that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- 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 Massachusetts before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pastry chefs in Massachusetts? Massachusetts employs approximately 6,070 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 Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Massachusetts.
How much do pastry chefs earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pastry chefs in Massachusetts is $38,130 (based on the related “Bakers” category), which is $1,480 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) |