Food Preparation Workers Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK

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

Median annual salary $26,770 -21.8% vs national
Median hourly $12.87
10th percentile $23,160
90th percentile $35,130
Employed locally 330
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Fort Smith, AR-OK
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,160
    25th
    $23,970
    50th (median)
    $26,770
    75th
    $30,040
    90th
    $35,130

    Fort Smith economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $56,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 47% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 53% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $40,220
    Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $38,390
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $38,130
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $38,060
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $37,990

    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
    Cooks, Fast Food $23,580

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Fort Smith?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $12.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.53 or more per hour.

    Is Fort Smith above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK is 21.8% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Fort Smith?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $23,160 per year in Fort Smith, AR-OK. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,970.