Apprentice Cake Decorator Salary in the United States

How much does an Apprentice Cake Decorator make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Apprentice Cake Decorator in the United States is $35,622 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

However, an Apprentice Cake Decorator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $40,542
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $33,345 to $38,197
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,271

Key Factors That Influence Apprentice Cake Decorator Salaries

An Apprentice Cake Decorator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Apprentice Cake Decorator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Apprentice Cake Decorator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $35,261
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $35,508
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $36,076
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $36,190
  • Expert (over 8 years): $36,266
Levels Salary
Entry Level Apprentice Cake Decorator$35,261
Intermediate Level Apprentice Cake Decorator$35,508
Senior Level Apprentice Cake Decorator$36,076
Specialist Level Apprentice Cake Decorator$36,190
Expert Level Apprentice Cake Decorator$36,266

How Do Apprentice Cake Decorator Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Apprentice Cake Decorators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $39,440.
  • California: $39,291.
  • Massachusetts: $38,767.

Top Paying Cities for Apprentice Cake Decorators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $44,930
  • San Francisco: $44,438
  • Oakland: $43,501

What Skills Can Increase an Apprentice Cake Decorator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 20.11% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 3.86% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
  • Food Preparation (Mentioned in 1.38% Job Postings): The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to food preparation: Food preparation – art form and applied science that includes but is not limited to cooking.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 20.11%
Product Quality 3.86%
Food Preparation 1.38%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Apprentice Cake Decorator's salary.

  • WFM: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Standard Operating Procedures: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Service Excellence: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
WFM $38,828
9%
Standard Operating Procedures $38,115
7%
Service Excellence $37,759
6%

How Education impacts an Apprentice Cake Decorator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Apprentice Cake Decorators enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Apprentice Cake Decorator with a No Diploma is between $30,508 and $33,014).

Apprentice Cake Decorator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Apprentice Cake Decorator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.1%
High School 54.5%
Associates 27.3%
Bachelors 9.1%
Masters 3.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Apprentice Cake Decorator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Apprentice Cake Decorator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$33,345
Average $35,622/year
$38,197
$2,779
Average $2,968/month
$3,183
$641
Average $685/week
$735
$16
Average $17/hour
$18
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $38,197 $3,183 $735 $18
Average $35,622 $2,968 $685 $17
25th Percentile $33,345 $2,779 $641 $16

Most common benefits for Apprentice Cake Decorator

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Apprentice Cake Decorator

Here are companies hiring for Apprentice Cake Decorator and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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