SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — North Arkansas
North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
In North Arkansas, AR the median wage is $29,460.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In North Arkansas, AR the median wage is $29,460. That is 21.3% lower than the national median of $37,450. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $27,670 and $33,920. The lowest tenth earn under $24,430, while the highest tenth earn more than $37,550.
Employment stands at 810, or 6.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Fayetteville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $33,430. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 298th of 336 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,430 | −34.8% |
| 25th | $27,670 | −26.1% |
| Median (50th) | $29,460 | −21.3% |
| 75th | $33,920 | −9.4% |
| 90th | $37,550 | +0.3% |
| Mean | $31,200 | −16.7% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $33,430 | 1,290 | |
| 2 | Jonesboro | $32,720 | 240 | |
| 3 | Hot Springs | $32,140 | 180 | |
| 4 | Little Rock | $30,480 | 1,400 | |
| 5 | Fort Smith | $29,380 | 560 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $29,460 goes as far as $33,901 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,901US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,460 a year, 21.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $24,430 to $37,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 810 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 North Arkansas, AR?
The median annual wage is $29,460, or $14.16 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 North Arkansas, AR is 21.3% 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 North Arkansas, AR earns more than $37,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $24,430 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 810 jobs in this occupation in North 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.
Explore related data