Food Preparation Workers Salary in Arkansas

Food preparation workers in Arkansas earn the most in Fayetteville (average $32,070 a year) and the least in Hot Springs ($28,210), across the 5 Arkansas metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the food preparation workers average at $29,460 and the median at $27,660 for 5,500 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $35,290.

Food Preparation Workers average salary by city in Arkansas

Fayetteville$32,070
Little Rock$30,250
Jonesboro$29,220
Fort Smith$28,300
Hot Springs$28,210

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Fayetteville	$32,070	$30,560	$27,670	$27,249	91
Little Rock	$30,250	$27,880	$26,790	$25,854	89
Jonesboro	$29,220	$27,580	$26,040	$25,064	86
Fort Smith	$28,300	$26,900	$25,510	$24,354	86
Hot Springs	$28,210	$26,340	$25,170	$24,283	86

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Arkansas tax is estimated with the Department of Finance and Administration's 2026 withholding formula. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Food Preparation Workers salary in other states

Food Preparation Workers salary by city and state

More about pay in Arkansas

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2021.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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