How much does a food preparation worker make in Arkansas?
$27,660a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in Arkansas. That is $13.30 an hour or $2,305 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.30
- Vs. national median
- -22%
- Rank among states
- 48 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 5,500
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,020Median: $27,660Highest 10%: $36,260
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,020 | $11.55 | |
| 25th | $25,900 | $12.45 | |
| Median | $27,660 | $13.30 | |
| 75th | $32,390 | $15.57 | |
| 90th | $36,260 | $17.43 |
Cities in Arkansas
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Fayetteville, AR | $30,560 |
| Little Rock, AR | $27,880 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $27,580 |
| Memphis, TN | $27,290 |
| Texarkana, TX | $27,290 |
| Fort Smith, AR | $26,900 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $26,340 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food preparation workers.
| 45. Oklahoma | $28,540 |
| 46. West Virginia | $28,360 |
| 47. Alabama | $27,930 |
| 48. Arkansas | $27,660 |
| 49. Kentucky | $26,850 |
| 50. Mississippi | $26,240 |
| 51. Louisiana | $23,620 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Arkansas?
The median hourly pay in Arkansas is $13.30 ($27,660 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Arkansas than the national average?
No: $27,660 against $35,320 nationally, 22% less.
Where does Arkansas rank for food preparation worker pay?
Arkansas ranks 48 of 51 states.
Which city in Arkansas pays food preparation workers the most?
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR, with a median of $30,560 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.