Food Preparation Workers Salary in Jonesboro, AR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Jonesboro, AR

Median annual salary $28,030 -18.1% vs national
Median hourly $13.48
10th percentile $24,360
90th percentile $37,030
Employed locally 310
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Jonesboro, AR
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $24,360
    25th
    $26,160
    50th (median)
    $28,030
    75th
    $34,220
    90th
    $37,030

    Jonesboro economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $55,478 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 51% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 49% 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 Jonesboro, AR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,480
    Waiters and Waitresses $26,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $30,690
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,570
    Cooks, Fast Food $24,920
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $29,650

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Jonesboro?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Jonesboro, AR is $13.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.28 or more per hour.

    Is Jonesboro above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Jonesboro, AR is 18.1% 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 Jonesboro?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $24,360 per year in Jonesboro, AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,160.