Food Preparation Worker salary in Jonesboro, AR
Food Preparation Workers in the Jonesboro, AR metro area earn a median of $27,580 a year ($13.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,940 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is about the same as the Arkansas statewide median of $27,660. There are 3.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $29,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Jonesboro, AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,060 | $11.57 |
| 25th percentile | $26,040 | $12.52 |
| Median | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| 75th percentile | $31,810 | $15.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Average (mean) | $29,220 | $14.05 |
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 | $2,298.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,149.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,060.77 |
| Weekly | $530.38 |
| Hourly | $13.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $30,560 | 1,040 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $27,880 | 1,840 |
| 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 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Jonesboro, AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,190 | $14.52 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,580 | $12.78 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,260 | $12.63 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,680 | $11.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $31,270 | $15.04 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,840 | $12.90 |
| Bartender | $24,460 | $11.76 |
| Dishwasher | $27,750 | $13.34 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,740 | $13.34 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,040 | $13.48 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $52,970 | $25.47 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Jonesboro, AR
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 Jonesboro, AR?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Jonesboro, AR metro area is $27,580 a year, or $13.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Jonesboro, AR?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Jonesboro, AR metro area earn at least $35,940 a year. The top 25% earn $31,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Jonesboro, AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,060 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $26,040 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Jonesboro, AR?
About 240 food preparation workers are employed in the Jonesboro, AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.