Food Preparation Workers Salary in Little Rock, AR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR

Median annual salary $26,770 -21.8% vs national
Median hourly $12.87
10th percentile $26,000
90th percentile $35,330
Employed locally 2,070
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Little Rock, AR
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,000
    25th
    $26,000
    50th (median)
    $26,770
    75th
    $31,310
    90th
    $35,330

    Little Rock economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,309 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 41% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 59% 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 Little Rock, AR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$27,250
    Waiters and Waitresses$26,470
    Cooks, Restaurant$29,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$34,260
    Cooks, Fast Food$24,900
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$29,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Little Rock?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Little Rock, AR is $12.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.40 or more per hour.

    Is Little Rock above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Little Rock, AR 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 Little Rock?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,000 per year in Little Rock, AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,000.