Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fort Smith, AR-OK

Median annual salary $23,580 -21.8% vs national
Median hourly $11.34
10th percentile $22,880
90th percentile $31,770
Employed locally 480
National median $30,160

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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,880
    25th
    $22,880
    50th (median)
    $23,580
    75th
    $27,570
    90th
    $31,770

    Fort Smith economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $56,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Fast Food salary vs area income 42% Median Cooks, Fast Food salary is 58% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Fast Food

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $41,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $41,800
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $40,580
    Hawaii $40,300
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $39,260
    Napa, CA $39,210

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Fast Food salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $41,800
    Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area $39,120
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $38,630
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $37,910
    Carson City, NV $37,700
    Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area $37,330

    Related occupations in Fort Smith, AR-OK

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$24,610
    Waiters and Waitresses$25,960
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$29,750
    Cooks, Restaurant$28,100
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$29,800
    Food Preparation Workers$26,770

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Fast Food make per hour in Fort Smith?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Fast Food in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $11.34, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $14.61 or more per hour.

    Is Fort Smith above or below average for Cooks, Fast Food salaries?

    The median Cooks, Fast Food salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK is 21.8% below the national median of $30,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Fort Smith?

    Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food (10th percentile) earn around $22,880 per year in Fort Smith, AR-OK. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,880.