📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Cooks Restaurant Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Arkansas · 17.0% below national average · Very High Demand

Average
$34,262
per year
Median
$31,772
per year
Hourly
$16.47
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$24,012
25th Percentile — Junior$29,490
50th Percentile — Median$31,772
75th Percentile — Senior$41,815
90th Percentile — Top Earners$46,029
💡 Top-earning Cooks Restaurants in Arkansas make up to $46,029 per year. The job market in Arkansas is rated moderate, with key industries including Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$29.6k
2021
$30.4k
2022
$31.4k
2023
$32.3k
2024
$33.3k
2025
$34.3k
2026
📈 Cooks Restaurant salaries in Arkansas have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in Arkansas's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Cooks Restaurant Salary by City in Arkansas
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Little Rock $28,437 -17.0% Very High
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Cooks Restaurant Job Market in Arkansas
Key factors affecting compensation

Arkansas is home to a moderate job market for Cooks Restaurants. The state's key industries — Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $34,262 per year, Arkansas's Cooks Restaurant salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Arkansas (index: 0.83) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Arkansas can expect to earn $24,012–$29,490, while experienced Cooks Restaurants can command $41,815–$46,029.

Looking ahead, the Cooks Restaurant profession in Arkansas is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Agriculture continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Cooks Restaurant salary in Arkansas is $34,262 per year in 2026, which is 17.0% below the national average of $41,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Cooks Restaurants the highest wages in Arkansas due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Arkansas has a moderate job market with major industries in Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing. Opportunities exist in for Cooks Restaurant employment.
  • At $34,262/year, Arkansas Cooks Restaurant salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average of $41,280/year.