Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Arkansas
In Arkansas, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $22.20 an hour ($46,170 a year). About 880 people work in this job there.
That is 26% lower than the U.S. median ($62,470). Arkansas ranks 50th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Arkansas
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.11 | $33,500 |
| 25% of workers | $18.96 | $39,430 |
| Half of workers (median) | $22.20 | $46,170 |
| 75% of workers | $31.24 | $64,970 |
| 90% of workers | $42.18 | $87,730 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Arkansas metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs | $58,240 | 40 |
| Jonesboro | $52,970 | 40 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $51,230 | 220 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $44,050 | 230 |
Arkansas unemployment rate: 3.9% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,680 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,180 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,800 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,240 |
| Food Service Managers | $55,120 |
| Bakers | $30,380 |
| Food Batchmakers | $38,990 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.