Home / Federal careers / WG-7402
Baking
This standard is to be used to grade nonsupervisory jobs involved in the preparation of regular and special diet bakery products such as bread, rolls, cakes, cookies, pies, doughnuts, pastries, puddings, fillings, and icings.
What WG-7402 pays
Federal Wage System pay is set by local prevailing wage surveys, so it moves with the wage area rather than a national table.
Wage Grade rates are published per wage area rather than nationally, so the number that matters is the one for the installation you are applying to.
Source: DoD Civilian Personnel Advisory Service wage schedules.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for WG-7402, as written.
Baking
Federal Wage System Position
Work Performed
This standard is to be used to grade nonsupervisory jobs involved in the preparation of regular and special diet bakery products such as bread, rolls, cakes, cookies, pies, doughnuts, pastries, puddings, fillings, and icings.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for WG-7402
1Review Trade/Craft Requirements
WG positions require demonstrated skill in a specific trade or craft. Review the job announcement for required certifications, licenses, and hands-on experience.
2Document Your Experience
WG positions are experience-based, not grade-based. Document your years of hands-on trade experience, apprenticeships completed, and journeyman status if applicable.
3Gather Credentials
Collect your DD-214, trade certifications (welding, electrical, HVAC, etc.), apprenticeship completion certificates, and any specialized licenses required for your trade.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages, the same USAJOBS limit that has applied since 27 September 2025. Lead with hands-on trade experience: the tools and equipment you ran, safety training, the projects you finished, and hours worked per week.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for WG positions in your trade specialty, carefully answer assessment questions about your skill level and experience, and submit before the closing date.
Typical duties
- Perform baking tasks as assigned
- Follow safety procedures and regulations
- Maintain and operate tools and equipment
- Complete work orders and documentation
- Coordinate with team members and supervisors
Key competencies
Ability to follow safety procedures and regulations
Knowledge of tools and equipment for the trade
Skill in performing physical tasks requiring manual dexterity
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to read and interpret instructions and procedures
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about WG-7402
What is a federal Baker?
A Baker (WG-7402) prepares bread, rolls, cakes, cookies, pies, pastries, and other baked goods for federal facilities including military dining facilities, VA hospitals, and federal institutions. Work involves measuring ingredients, operating commercial baking equipment, and producing both regular and special diet bakery products that meet nutritional and quality standards.
How much does a federal Baker make?
Federal Bakers are paid under the WG system with locality adjustments. WG-7402 positions typically range from WG-5 to WG-9 based on skill level and menu complexity. Head bakers producing specialized items for large facilities earn higher grades. Check DCPAS wage schedules for your locality rates, noting shift differentials may apply.
What are the requirements for WG-7402 positions?
WG-7402 positions require knowledge of baking techniques, ingredient measurements, and commercial baking equipment operation. Candidates must follow standardized recipes, adjust for altitude and humidity, and maintain food safety standards. Higher grades require ability to create specialty items, modify recipes for dietary restrictions, and manage high-volume production.
Can military experience substitute for education in WG-7402?
Yes, military culinary experience transfers well to WG-7402. Army 92G (Culinary Specialist), Navy CS (Culinary Specialist), Marine Corps 3381 (Food Service Specialist), and similar ratings with baking duties have relevant skills. Your experience with high-volume food production, following military recipes, and meeting food safety standards applies directly.
What is the career progression for Bakers?
Bakers advance from WG-5 through WG-9 based on skills and production responsibility. Senior bakers create specialty items and manage bakery operations. Related advancement includes WG-7404 Cook for broader food preparation. Work Leader (WL) positions supervise bakery staff. Supervisory (WS) roles manage food service operations.
How do I apply for WG-7402 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for "Baking" or "7402" to find positions at military dining facilities, VA medical centers, and federal institutional cafeterias. Emphasize your baking experience, commercial equipment operation, and ability to produce high-volume quality products. Include food handler certifications and any specialized training. Veterans' preference applies.
Ready to apply for WG-7402?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.