A pastry chef is first and foremost an artist.  Hence, pay is usually a second consideration.  However, it is important to someone thinking of becoming one to research on how much a pastry chef salary is so as to at least have an outlook as to the financial returns of becoming one.  

A pastry chef can work various food industry settings whether in restaurants, hotels, bakery and for the more adventurous ones---catering.  Each of these industries offers different scales in terms of chef salary.  Looking at the standard industry rates one can surmise that with a pastry chef salary, the future is truly bright.

Based on the American industry standards, hotels, catering and restaurants offer the highest salaries.  A pastry chef salary can range from $24,000-$65,000 a year depending on what state he is in.  If it is big bucks you are after, then, go to the state of New York.

Aside from the standard pay, the chef salary is further enhanced by non-cash benefits such as paid holidays and vacations leave credits, insurance, and of course, food and drinks are on the house.  In terms of work load, most follow flexi-time; and, the dress code is not restricted by a standard outside of the food safety garments.

Being a pastry chef is such a specialized skill that it requires specialized training.  Fledgling chefs would therefore prioritize getting experience over the financial gain.  With experience comes expertise in the craft.  Experience brings about the precise touch as well as the imagination to create a culinary masterpiece as well as develop the brass cajones to take on the bustling pressure of the craft.  With the level of experience comes the leverage of defining the pastry chef salary.  The more the experience, the higher the pay.