SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — North Arkansas
North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in North Arkansas, AR is $23,830 a year, trailing the national median of $31,200 by 23.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in North Arkansas, AR is $23,830 a year, trailing the national median of $31,200 by 23.6%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $23,410 and $26,740. The lowest tenth earn under $23,120, while the highest tenth earn more than $28,930.
The area has 3,740 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 31.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Little Rock records the highest median at $27,470. Of the 336 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 335th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,120 | −25.9% |
| 25th | $23,410 | −25.0% |
| Median (50th) | $23,830 | −23.6% |
| 75th | $26,740 | −14.3% |
| 90th | $28,930 | −7.3% |
| Mean | $25,390 | −18.6% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | $27,470 | 8,720 | |
| 2 | Fayetteville | $27,170 | 8,370 | |
| 3 | Jonesboro | $26,260 | 1,900 | |
| 4 | Fort Smith | $23,760 | 2,760 | |
| 5 | Hot Springs | $23,350 | 1,260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $23,830 goes as far as $27,422 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$23,830as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$27,422US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $23,830 a year, 23.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,120 to $28,930 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,740 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Little Rock, at $27,470.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in North Arkansas, AR?
The median annual wage is $23,830, or $11.46 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 $31,200, so pay in North Arkansas, AR is 23.6% 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 $28,930 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,120 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 $27,470 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,740 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.
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