Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Arkansas
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas earn a median of $30,240 a year ($14.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,720 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $37,450. Arkansas ranks 46th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 5.0 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,810 | $12.41 |
| 25th percentile | $28,300 | $13.61 |
| Median | $30,240 | $14.54 |
| 75th percentile | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,720 | $19.10 |
| Average (mean) | $32,720 | $15.73 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,520 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,260 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,163.08 |
| Weekly | $581.54 |
| Hourly | $14.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,240 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $33,430 | 1,290 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,170 | 1,530 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $32,720 | 240 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $32,140 | 180 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $30,480 | 1,400 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $29,380 | 560 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $27,620 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,710 | $13.32 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,510 | $14.67 |
| Cooks, All Other | $30,780 | $14.80 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,250 | $12.62 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,680 | $11.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,760 | $12.87 |
| Bartender | $25,090 | $12.06 |
| Dishwasher | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,670 | $13.30 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $46,170 | $22.20 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Arkansas?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Arkansas is $30,240 a year, or $14.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Arkansas earn at least $39,720 a year. The top 25% earn $35,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,810 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $28,300 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Arkansas?
About 6,530 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.