Prepare for an Exciting Career in Baking

Westmoreland offers a degree, diploma and certificate in Baking and Pastry. This curriculum is designed to prepare students for various positions in the baking industry.

What Will I Learn?

The program of study provides students with skills necessary for
the production of a wide range of bakery products, including:

• Yeast rolls, breads, pies, tarts, cookies, doughnuts
  and frozen desserts based on local, regional and international
  traditions and diversity
• Cakes, cookies and centerpieces
• Pastry items and confectionery items

This program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation
Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC). 

• View the Baking and Pastry, AAS in the College Catalog
• View the Baking and Pastry Diploma in the College Catalog
• View the Baking and Pastry Certificate in the College Catalog

What Will I Earn?

If you plan to stay in the region, there are many occupations related to this program degree and certificates. In the 10-county region* surrounding Westmoreland County Community College, the earnings for occupations in this field range from $8.66 - $18.73 per hour, with an average hourly wage of $14.17. 

It is important to remember that wages vary based on level of education, experience, job location and other factors. 

Source: Data provided by Lightcast™ (https://lightcast.io/) 2023.1

* 10-county region includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the baking and pastry program may accept positions as: pastry cook, pastry chef, executive pastry chef, baker, cake decorator, baking sales representative, institutional baker/ pastry chef, retail baker/pastry chef, wholesale baker/pastry chef, production supervisor, food batch maker, operations manager, sales representative or training specialist.