Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metro area earn a median of $33,430 a year ($16.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,830 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 11% higher than the Arkansas statewide median of $30,240. There are 4.7 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,340 | $13.63 |
| 25th percentile | $29,280 | $14.08 |
| Median | $33,430 | $16.07 |
| 75th percentile | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,830 | $21.56 |
| Average (mean) | $35,410 | $17.02 |
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 | $2,785.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,392.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,285.77 |
| Weekly | $642.88 |
| Hourly | $16.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,430 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $33,730 | $16.22 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,710 | $13.32 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,560 | $14.69 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,170 | $13.06 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Bartender | $26,570 | $12.77 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,630 | $13.29 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,200 | $14.04 |
| Dishwasher | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,100 | $13.51 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $51,230 | $24.63 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $33,540 | $16.12 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR
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 Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metro area is $33,430 a year, or $16.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metro area earn at least $44,830 a year. The top 25% earn $35,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,340 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $29,280 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR?
About 1,290 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.