SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Hot Springs
Hot Springs, AR · 4 metro areas compared
In Hot Springs, AR the median wage is $32,140.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Hot Springs, AR the median wage is $32,140. That is 14.2% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay ranges from under $27,130 at the tenth percentile to more than $46,950 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $28,440 to $35,140.
Employment stands at 180, or 4.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Fayetteville records the highest median at $33,430. Of the 182 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 144th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,130 | −27.6% |
| 25th | $28,440 | −24.1% |
| Median (50th) | $32,140 | −14.2% |
| 75th | $35,140 | −6.2% |
| 90th | $46,950 | +25.4% |
| Mean | $34,230 | −8.6% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $33,430 | 1,290 | |
| 2 | Jonesboro | $32,720 | 240 | |
| 3 | Little Rock | $30,480 | 1,400 | |
| 4 | Fort Smith | $29,380 | 560 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Hot Springs run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $32,140 goes as far as $36,985 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$32,140as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,985US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $32,140 a year, 14.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,130 to $46,950 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 180 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fayetteville, at $33,430.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Hot Springs, AR?
The median annual wage is $32,140, or $15.45 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 $37,450, so pay in Hot Springs, AR is 14.2% 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 Hot Springs, AR earns more than $46,950 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,130 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 Fayetteville, at $33,430 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 180 jobs in this occupation in Hot Springs, 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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