Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Arkansas
Cooks, Fast Foods in Arkansas make a median of $24,700 a year, or about $11.88 an hour. The range runs from $23K at the entry level to $30K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arkansas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $25K get you in Arkansas?
About cooks, fast foods
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arkansas
Entry-level cooks, fast foods (10th percentile) start around $23K. Mid-career wages sit at $25K. Top earners bring in $30K or more, a $7K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Fast Food salary by metro in Arkansas
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | $25K | +1% | 400 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $25K | +1% | 1,820 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $25K | +0% | 1,320 |
| Fort Smith | $24K | -5% | 480 |
Compare to other states
Track cooks, fast food salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arkansas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, fast foods make in Arkansas?
The median is $24,700 a year, that works out to about $12 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $22,880, and experienced cooks, fast foods can clear $30,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $25K enough to live in Arkansas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $1,754/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,021/month, which eats 58.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cooks, fast food salary go in Arkansas?
Arkansas has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cooks, fast food salary is worth about $28,183 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cooks, fast foods get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.