Food Preparation Workers pay in Arkansas
In Arkansas, the median pay for food preparation workers is $13.30 an hour ($27,660 a year). About 5,500 people work in this job there.
That is 22% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). Arkansas ranks 48th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Arkansas
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $11.55 | $24,020 |
| 25% of workers | $12.45 | $25,900 |
| Half of workers (median) | $13.30 | $27,660 |
| 75% of workers | $15.57 | $32,390 |
| 90% of workers | $17.44 | $36,260 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Arkansas metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $30,560 | 1,040 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $27,880 | 1,840 |
| Jonesboro | $27,580 | 240 |
| Fort Smith | $26,900 | 320 |
| Hot Springs | $26,340 | 200 |
Arkansas unemployment rate: 3.9% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,250 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,180 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,710 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,240 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,600 |
| Bakers | $30,380 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,670 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $34,380 |
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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.