Food Preparation Workers Salary in Hot Springs, AR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hot Springs, AR

Median annual salary $27,240 -20.4% vs national
Median hourly $13.10
10th percentile $23,310
90th percentile $35,130
Employed locally 280
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Hot Springs, AR
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,310
    25th
    $24,960
    50th (median)
    $27,240
    75th
    $30,640
    90th
    $35,130

    Hot Springs economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $55,409 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 49% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 51% 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 Hot Springs, AR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $24,990
    Waiters and Waitresses $25,750
    Cooks, Restaurant $28,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $30,380
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $25,760
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $23,890

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Hot Springs?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Hot Springs, AR is $13.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.74 or more per hour.

    Is Hot Springs above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Hot Springs, AR is 20.4% 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 Hot Springs?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $23,310 per year in Hot Springs, AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,960.