SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — West Arkansas
West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in West Arkansas, AR is $36,780 per year, substantially below the national median of $62,470 — a gap of 41.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in West Arkansas, AR is $36,780 per year, substantially below the national median of $62,470 — a gap of 41.1%. Pay ranges from under $29,420 at the tenth percentile to more than $69,870 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $29,420 to $51,050.
The area has 60 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.7 of every thousand jobs. Hot Springs leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $58,240. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 201st of 284 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,420 | −52.9% |
| 25th | $29,420 | −52.9% |
| Median (50th) | $36,780 | −41.1% |
| 75th | $51,050 | −18.3% |
| 90th | $69,870 | +11.8% |
| Mean | $43,240 | −30.8% |
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 West Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $36,780 goes as far as $42,325 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 32.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,325US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,780 a year, 41.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,420 to $69,870 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 West Arkansas, AR?
The median annual wage is $36,780, or $17.69 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 West Arkansas, AR is 41.1% 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 West Arkansas, AR earns more than $69,870 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,420 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 West 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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