SOC 35-2014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Restaurant — South Arkansas
South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in South Arkansas, AR is $28,410 a year, trailing the national median of $37,390 by 24.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in South Arkansas, AR is $28,410 a year, trailing the national median of $37,390 by 24.0%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $26,360 and $29,360. The lowest tenth earn under $23,910, while the highest tenth earn more than $35,920.
The area has 480 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.1 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Fayetteville records the highest median at $33,730. Of the 349 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 321st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,910 | −36.1% |
| 25th | $26,360 | −29.5% |
| Median (50th) | $28,410 | −24.0% |
| 75th | $29,360 | −21.5% |
| 90th | $35,920 | −3.9% |
| Mean | $29,030 | −22.4% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $33,730 | 2,940 | |
| 2 | Little Rock | $30,690 | 3,560 | |
| 3 | Jonesboro | $30,190 | 540 | |
| 4 | Fort Smith | $29,370 | 850 | |
| 5 | Hot Springs | $29,260 | 690 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $28,410 goes as far as $32,693 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,693US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,410 a year, 24.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,910 to $35,920 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 480 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fayetteville, at $33,730.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in South Arkansas, AR?
The median annual wage is $28,410, or $13.66 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 South Arkansas, AR is 24.0% 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 $35,920 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,910 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 $33,730 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 480 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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