How to Become a Pastry Chef in North Dakota (2026)
North Dakota employs about 830 pastry chefs earning a median $36,900 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Bakers”). Most pastry chefs train through an approved program before entering the field in North Dakota.
Compare Pastry Chef Schools in North Dakota
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell Technical College | 78.9 | $7,524 | $54,865 | 76% | Yes* | 270 mi |
| 2 | North Dakota State College of Science | 72.6 | $5,974 in-state / $6,973 out-of-state | $60,587 | 55% | Yes* | 171 mi |
| 3 | Minnesota State Community and Technical College | 64.5 | $5,908 | $54,581 | 47% | Yes* | 192 mi |
| 4 | Minnesota North College | 63.9 | $6,022 | $54,100 | 42% | Yes* | 323 mi |
| 5 | St Cloud Technical and Community College | 63.7 | $6,124 | $58,691 | 45% | Yes* | 297 mi |
| 6 | Central Lakes College-Brainerd | 60.4 | $6,249 | $50,357 | 53% | Yes* | 275 mi |
| 7 | South Central College | 60.0 | $6,146 | $52,003 | 39% | Yes* | 356 mi |
| 8 | Hennepin Technical College | 58.9 | $5,940 | $59,906 | 42% | Yes* | 346 mi |
| 9 | Western Iowa Tech Community College | 57.6 | $5,186 in-state / $5,330 out-of-state | $47,713 | 50% | Yes* | 379 mi |
| 10 | Saint Paul College | 48.2 | $6,326 | $52,870 | 40% | Yes* | 363 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, North Dakota employs approximately 830 workers in the related “Bakers” category (SOC 51-3011), with a median annual wage of $36,900 1. The state’s concentration of jobs in this category is 1.27x 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 North Dakota, 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 (North Dakota): $36,900 per year (based on related “Bakers” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pastry Chef in North Dakota
How to become a Pastry Chef in North Dakota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pastry chefs in North Dakota.
How long does it take? pastry chef training length in North Dakota varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do pastry chefs earn in North Dakota? The BLS does not track pastry chef wages separately. Based on the related “Bakers” category, the median annual wage in North Dakota is $36,900, with entry-level wages around $29,640 and experienced workers earning $46,500 or more 1.
How to Become a Pastry Chef in North Dakota
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most North Dakota training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved pastry chef program in North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota
Chefs and Head Cooks Wages by Metro Area in North Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), chefs and head cooks wages in North Dakota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 2,000 | $37,343 | $38,264 | $29,356 | $46,623 |
| Bismarck | 880 | $36,654 | $37,111 | $29,296 | $45,721 |
| Grand Forks | 610 | $36,871 | $36,718 | $28,629 | $45,029 |
| Minot | 380 | $36,390 | $36,310 | $28,480 | $45,000 |
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 North Dakota? North Dakota employs approximately 830 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 North Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in North Dakota.
How much do pastry chefs earn in North Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pastry chefs in North Dakota is $36,900 (based on the related “Bakers” category), which is $250 above the national median of $36,650 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In North Dakota
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in North Dakota (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in North Dakota
- Best HVAC Schools in North Dakota (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in North Dakota
- Best Plumbing Schools in North Dakota (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in North Dakota
Explore More Trades in North Dakota
- Electrician in North Dakota
- Plumber in North Dakota
- HVAC Technician in North Dakota
- Welder in North Dakota
- Carpenter in North Dakota
- Solar Installation Technician in North Dakota
- Auto Mechanic in North Dakota
- CNC Machinist in North Dakota
- Certified Nursing Assistant in North Dakota
- Medical Assistant in North Dakota
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) |