Cheesemaker

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Work Tasks

• Make and shape cheeses from milk and other food
• Follow recipes for making cheeses
• Use cheese making machines and control the cooking of the mixture
• Check aged cheeses for correct texture and taste; cut cheeses to the right size, shape and weight;
• Work for large or small cheese factories
• Work with foods used for making cheese, starter pots, cheese vats, cooking equipment, cheese molds and presses, and lab testing equipment

Salary, Size & Growth

• $31,500 average per year ($15.25 per hour)
• A medium occupation (97,200 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.9% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: On-the-job training
• Employers Prefer: An apprenticeship or college certificate in agriculture
• Skills/Courses: Courses include dairy technology, microbiology, bacteriology, sensory agriculture, and dairy science.
• Licensing/Certification: Some states require a cheesemaker's license.