Cooks, Restaurant Salary in South Arkansas

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $27,560 -25.2% vs national
Median hourly $13.25
10th percentile $23,430
90th percentile $35,530
Employed locally 540
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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South Arkansas
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,430
    25th
    $25,390
    50th (median)
    $27,560
    75th
    $28,790
    90th
    $35,530

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in South Arkansas

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $24,050
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $29,470
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $29,010
    Waiters and Waitresses $23,940
    Food Preparation Workers $26,710
    Cooks, Fast Food $25,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in South Arkansas?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in South Arkansas is $13.25, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.27 or more per hour.

    Is South Arkansas above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in South Arkansas is 25.2% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in South Arkansas?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $23,430 per year in South Arkansas. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,390.