How much does a food preparation worker make in Fort Smith?
$26,900a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area. That is $12.93 an hour or $2,242 a month.
- Hourly
- $12.93
- Vs. national median
- -24%
- Rank among cities
- 363 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 320
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $23,460Median: $26,900Highest 10%: $36,460
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,460 | $11.28 | |
| 25th | $25,510 | $12.26 | |
| Median | $26,900 | $12.93 | |
| 75th | $30,720 | $14.77 | |
| 90th | $36,460 | $17.53 |
Other cities in Arkansas
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Fayetteville, AR | $30,560 |
| Little Rock, AR | $27,880 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $27,580 |
| Memphis, TN | $27,290 |
| Texarkana, TX | $27,290 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $26,340 |
Related jobs in Fort Smith
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $30,780 |
| Cook | $29,380 |
| Cook | $29,370 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,870 |
| Food Server | $27,040 |
| Dishwasher | $26,630 |
| Cook | $26,480 |
| Host and Hostess | $24,140 |
| Bartender | $23,830 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $23,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Fort Smith?
The median hourly pay in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $12.93 ($26,900 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Fort Smith than the national average?
No: $26,900 against $35,320 nationally, 24% less.
How does Fort Smith compare with the rest of Arkansas?
The median in Arkansas is $27,660, so Fort Smith pays 3% less.
Where does Fort Smith rank for food preparation worker pay?
363 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Fort Smith?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,460 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,460 or more.
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.