Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Arkansas
In Arkansas, the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $14.54 an hour ($30,240 a year). About 6,530 people work in this job there.
That is 19% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). Arkansas ranks 46th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Arkansas
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $12.41 | $25,810 |
| 25% of workers | $13.61 | $28,300 |
| Half of workers (median) | $14.54 | $30,240 |
| 75% of workers | $16.97 | $35,300 |
| 90% of workers | $19.10 | $39,720 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Arkansas metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $33,430 | 1,290 |
| Jonesboro | $32,720 | 240 |
| Hot Springs | $32,140 | 180 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $30,480 | 1,400 |
| Fort Smith | $29,380 | 560 |
Arkansas unemployment rate: 3.9% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 62,900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,250 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,180 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,800 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,710 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $27,660 |
| Food Service Managers | $55,120 |
| Bakers | $30,380 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $46,170 |
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.