SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — West Arkansas
West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in West Arkansas, AR is $23,870 per year, 23.5% below the national median of $31,200.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in West Arkansas, AR is $23,870 per year, 23.5% below the national median of $31,200. Half of workers earn between $23,540 and $26,810. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $23,350 and the ninetieth at $28,180.
The area has 3,150 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 36.7 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Little Rock records the highest median at $27,470. Of the 284 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 282nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,350 | −25.2% |
| 25th | $23,540 | −24.6% |
| Median (50th) | $23,870 | −23.5% |
| 75th | $26,810 | −14.1% |
| 90th | $28,180 | −9.7% |
| Mean | $25,540 | −18.1% |
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 West Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $23,870 goes as far as $27,468 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$23,870as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$27,468US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $23,870 a year, 23.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,350 to $28,180 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,150 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 West Arkansas, AR?
The median annual wage is $23,870, or $11.47 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 West Arkansas, AR is 23.5% 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 West Arkansas, AR earns more than $28,180 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,350 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 3,150 jobs in this occupation in West 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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