Food Preparation Worker salary in Arkansas
Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas earn a median of $27,660 a year ($13.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,260 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $35,320. Arkansas ranks 48th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 4.2 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $29,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,020 | $11.55 |
| 25th percentile | $25,900 | $12.45 |
| Median | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| 75th percentile | $32,390 | $15.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,260 | $17.44 |
| Average (mean) | $29,460 | $14.17 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,305 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,152.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,063.85 |
| Weekly | $531.92 |
| Hourly | $13.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $30,560 | 1,040 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $27,880 | 1,840 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $27,580 | 240 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,290 | 3,530 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $27,290 | 310 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $26,900 | 320 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $26,340 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,710 | $13.32 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,240 | $14.54 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,510 | $14.67 |
| Cooks, All Other | $30,780 | $14.80 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,250 | $12.62 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,680 | $11.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,760 | $12.87 |
| Bartender | $25,090 | $12.06 |
| Dishwasher | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,670 | $13.30 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $46,170 | $22.20 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Arkansas?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Arkansas is $27,660 a year, or $13.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Arkansas earn at least $36,260 a year. The top 25% earn $32,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,020 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $25,900 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Arkansas?
About 5,500 food preparation workers are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.