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Cake Decorating Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Bakery Cake Designer

Atlantic, IA · On-site

$14 - $18/hr

Non-Exempt General Function Responsible for decorating bakery items. You will assist customers with ... Checks cake orders for details (size, deco pack, icing needs, dates) daily and indicates supply ...

Bakery Cake Designer

Waverly, IA

$13 - $16.75/hr

Non-Exempt General Function Responsible for decorating bakery items. You will assist customers with ... Checks cake orders for details (size, deco pack, icing needs, dates) daily and indicates supply ...

Bakery Cake Designer

Sioux City, IA · On-site

$13.75 - $17.75/hr

Non-Exempt General Function Responsible for decorating bakery items. You will assist customers with ... Checks cake orders for details (size, deco pack, icing needs, dates) daily and indicates supply ...

Bakery Cake Designer

Atlantic, IA

$14 - $18/hr

Non-Exempt General Function Responsible for decorating bakery items. You will assist customers with ... Checks cake orders for details (size, deco pack, icing needs, dates) daily and indicates supply ...

Bakery Cake Designer

Orange City, IA · On-site

$13 - $16.50/hr

Non-Exempt General Function Responsible for decorating bakery items. You will assist customers with ... Checks cake orders for details (size, deco pack, icing needs, dates) daily and indicates supply ...

Pastry Baker

North Liberty, IA · On-site

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

Support basic cake decorating and lettering following New Pioneer standards * Properly rotate and store prepared and received items to maintain quality, freshness, and health code compliance

Pastry Baker

North Liberty, IA · On-site

$14.50 - $19.25/hr

Support basic cake decorating and lettering following New Pioneer standards * Properly rotate and store prepared and received items to maintain quality, freshness, and health code compliance

Bakery Team Member

Coralville, IA · On-site

$12 - $14.50/hr

Assembles cake and balloon orders according to guest specifications for the given celebration and follows NbC cake decorating and presentation standards with precision. * Prioritizes workload ...

Baker

Cedar Rapids, IA

$12.75 - $16.75/hr

Orders supplies and merchandise items for the department (except cake decorating items) as directed by the bakery manager. * Reviews current product on the shelf, re-merchandises the shelf, and ...

Baker

Cedar Rapids, IA

$12.75 - $16.75/hr

Orders supplies and merchandise items for the department (except cake decorating items) as directed by the bakery manager. * Reviews current product on the shelf, re-merchandises the shelf, and ...

Baker

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$12.75 - $16.75/hr

Orders supplies and merchandise items for the department (except cake decorating items) as directed by the bakery manager. * Reviews current product on the shelf, re-merchandises the shelf, and ...

Baker

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$12.75 - $16.75/hr

Orders supplies and merchandise items for the department (except cake decorating items) as directed by the bakery manager. * Reviews current product on the shelf, re-merchandises the shelf, and ...

Showing results 21-32

Cake Decorating information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$14

$19

How much do cake decorating jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for cake decorating in Iowa is $14.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.64 and $16.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges cake decorators face when working on custom orders, and how can they be managed?

Cake decorators often encounter challenges such as tight deadlines, last-minute design changes, and complex customer requests for custom cakes. Managing these challenges involves strong organizational skills, clear communication with clients to set realistic expectations, and flexibility in problem-solving. Collaborating closely with bakery staff also helps streamline the process, ensuring that all ingredients and tools are ready in advance and that everyone is aligned on the project timeline. Staying adaptable and maintaining attention to detail are key to delivering high-quality cakes that meet client specifications.

What is the difference between Cake Decorating vs Cake Baking?

AspectCake DecoratingCake Baking
Primary FocusDesigning and decorating cakes with icing, fondant, and decorationsPreparing and baking cake batter and layers
Skills & CertificationsDecorating techniques, artistry, food safetyBaking techniques, recipes, food safety
Work EnvironmentBakery, cake shops, event venuesBakery kitchens, commercial or home settings
Industry UsagePart of cake shops, bakeries, event planningBakery production, pastry shops, restaurants

While cake baking involves preparing the cake itself, cake decorating focuses on the artistic presentation and embellishment of the finished product. Both roles often overlap in bakeries, but they require different skill sets and certifications. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or service for your needs.

What is cake decorating?

Cake decorating is the art of designing and embellishing cakes with various edible materials such as icing, fondant, chocolate, and decorative elements. It involves techniques like piping, sculpting, airbrushing, and using molds to create visually appealing and themed cakes for special occasions. Cake decorators can work in bakeries, pastry shops, or operate their own businesses, crafting custom designs for birthdays, weddings, and other celebrations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cake decorator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cake Decorator, you need a solid understanding of baking fundamentals, artistic design, and experience with various decorating techniques, often gained through formal culinary training or hands-on apprenticeships. Familiarity with tools such as piping bags, fondant rollers, airbrush kits, and commercial kitchen equipment is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, time management, and effective customer communication are essential soft skills for excelling in this role. These skills ensure that cakes are not only visually appealing but also meet client expectations and are produced efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

What are popular job titles related to Cake Decorating jobs in Iowa?

For Cake Decorating jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cake Decorating jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Cake Decorating jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Cake Decorating jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Cake Decorating job openings:

Infographic showing various Cake Decorating job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Full Time, and 80% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $30,488 per year, or $14.7 per hour.

Bakery Cake Designer

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Atlantic, IA • On-site

$14 - $18/hr

Part-time

Re-posted yesterday


Hy-Vee rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 1,664 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

45th of 122 rated grocery stores


Job description

Additional Considerations (if any):
-
At Hy-Vee our people are our strength. We promise "a helpful smile in every aisle" and those smiles can only come from a workforce that is fully engaged and committed to supporting our customers and each other.
Job Description:
Job Title: Bakery Cake Designer
Department: Bakery
FLSA: Non-Exempt
General Function
Responsible for decorating bakery items. You will assist customers with their bakery orders by the telephone and in person at the store. Additionally you will ensure a positive company image by providing courteous, friendly, and efficient customer service to customers and team members.
Core Competencies
  • Partnerships
  • Growth mindset
  • Results oriented
  • Customer focused
  • Professionalism

Reporting Relations
Accountable and Reports to: District Store Director, Store Manager, Assistant Managers of; Perishables, Store Operations, and Health Wellness Home; Bakery Department Manager
Positions that Report to you: None
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
  • Provides prompt, efficient and friendly customer service by exhibiting caring, concern and patience in all customer interactions and treating customers as the most important people in the store.
  • Smiles and greets customers in a friendly manner, whether the encounter takes place in the employee's designated department or elsewhere in the store.
  • Makes an effort to learn customers' names and to address them by name whenever possible.
  • Assists customers by: (examples include)
    • escorting them to the products they're looking for
    • securing products that are out of reach
    • loading or unloading heavy items
    • performing other tasks in every way possible to enhance the shopping experience.
  • Answers the telephone promptly and provides friendly, helpful service to customers who call including taking product orders.
  • Takes customer orders at Bakery counter.
  • Works with co-workers as a team to ensure customer satisfaction and a pleasant work environment.
  • Checks orders for the day and sets up a timeline and production schedule.
  • Decorates bakery items in a timely manner.
  • Keeps current on new designs and trends.
  • Ensures department standards are met.
  • Checks cake orders for details (size, deco pack, icing needs, dates) daily and indicates supply needs.
  • Orders supplies for decorating area and checks off the order.
  • Delivers product and sets up wedding cakes on site (outside the store).
  • Communicates with bakery manager regarding displays, weekly ads and special needs on a daily basis.
  • Checks product dates, pulls cases for work and lists items to fill or replace.
  • Develops bakery orders for bakers on a daily basis. (Orders cakes, sizes, etc.)
  • Tracks daily retail production. Identifies, with co-workers, tasks to be completed.
  • Operates as a lead worker with part-time or other employees. (Instructs and reviews work).
  • Participates in employee cross training.
  • Understands and practices proper sanitation procedures and ensures the work area is always clean and neat.
  • Understands and practices proper sanitation procedures and ensures the work area is always clean and neat.
  • Adheres to company policies and individual store guidelines.
  • Reports to work when scheduled and on time.

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities
  • Wraps all product as necessary.
  • Assists in other areas of the store as needed.
  • Performs other job related duties and special projects as required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Worker Characteristics
  • Must have the ability to solve practical problems; variety of variables with limited standardization; interpret instructions.
  • Ability to do arithmetic calculations involving fractions, decimals, and percentages
  • Must have the ability to file, post, and mail materials; copy data from one record to another; interview to obtain basic information; guide people and provide basic direction.

Education and Experience
High school or equivalent experience and six months or less of similar or related work experience.
Physical Requirements
  • Must be physically able to exert up to 100 pounds of force (shared team lifting) occasionally; exert up to 50 pounds of force frequently; and exert up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
  • Visual requirements include vision from less than 20 inches and more than 20 feet with or without correction, color vision, depth perception, and field of vision.
  • Must be able to perform the following physical activities: Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

Working Conditions
The duties for this position are normally conducted in a store environment. There is significant pressure to meet deadlines and handle multiple priorities. There is exposure to flour dust, noise, cleaning chemicals/solvents, residual fumes and temperature extreme.
Equipment Used to Perform Job
Standard tools and equipment used in a bakery environment including mixers, ovens, turntables, tips, bas, airbrush telephone copy cake machine, intercom system.
Contacts
Has daily contact with the general public taking orders. Has weekly contact with suppliers/vendors.
Are you ready to smile, apply today.
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre employment drug screen.

What Hy-Vee employees say

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About Hy-Vee

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Hy-Vee, based in West Des Moines, IA, US, operates within the supermarket industry. Founded in 1930 by Charles Hyde and David Vredenburg, the company began as a small general store in Beaconsfield, Iowa. Over the years, Hy-Vee has evolved into a network of more than 245 supermarkets across 8 states in the Midwest. They offer a wide range of products and services, including grocery, bakery items, delicatessen, floral, and other specialty departments. With a company motto of “A helpful smile in every aisle”, Hy-Vee's mission is to make each customer's life easier, healthier, and happier. They have received several awards for their commitment to healthy living, customer service and community outreach.

Industry

Retail

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1930