SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — South Arkansas
South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in South Arkansas, AR is $44,540 per year, substantially below the national median of $62,470 — a gap of 28.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in South Arkansas, AR is $44,540 per year, substantially below the national median of $62,470 — a gap of 28.7%. Half of workers earn between $38,770 and $53,640. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $31,760 and the ninetieth at $79,700.
Employment stands at 60, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Hot Springs records the highest median at $58,240. Of the 349 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 198th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,760 | −49.2% |
| 25th | $38,770 | −37.9% |
| Median (50th) | $44,540 | −28.7% |
| 75th | $53,640 | −14.1% |
| 90th | $79,700 | +27.6% |
| Mean | $50,870 | −18.6% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hot Springs | $58,240 | 40 | |
| 2 | Jonesboro | $52,970 | 40 | |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $51,230 | 220 | |
| 4 | Little Rock | $44,050 | 230 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $44,540 goes as far as $51,254 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,254US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,540 a year, 28.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,760 to $79,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Hot Springs, at $58,240.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in South Arkansas, AR?
The median annual wage is $44,540, or $21.41 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in South Arkansas, AR is 28.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Arkansas, AR earns more than $79,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,760 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Hot Springs, at $58,240 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in South Arkansas, AR. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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