SOC 35-2014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Restaurant — Fayetteville
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Fayetteville, AR is $33,730 a year, trailing the national median of $37,390 by 9.8%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Fayetteville, AR is $33,730 a year, trailing the national median of $37,390 by 9.8%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $29,220 and $36,330. The lowest tenth earn under $28,550, while the highest tenth earn more than $38,080.
Employment stands at 2,940, or 10.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Little Rock leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $30,690. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 388th of 432 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,550 | −23.6% |
| 25th | $29,220 | −21.9% |
| Median (50th) | $33,730 | −9.8% |
| 75th | $36,330 | −2.8% |
| 90th | $38,080 | +1.8% |
| Mean | $33,450 | −10.5% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | $30,690 | 3,560 | |
| 2 | Jonesboro | $30,190 | 540 | |
| 3 | Fort Smith | $29,370 | 850 | |
| 4 | Hot Springs | $29,260 | 690 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Fayetteville run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $33,730 goes as far as $38,815 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$33,730as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,815US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $33,730 a year, 9.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,550 to $38,080 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,940 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Little Rock, at $30,690.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Fayetteville, AR?
The median annual wage is $33,730, or $16.22 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 $37,390, so pay in Fayetteville, AR is 9.8% 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 Fayetteville, AR earns more than $38,080 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,550 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 Little Rock, at $30,690 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,940 jobs in this occupation in Fayetteville, 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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