Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $29,380 a year ($14.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,180 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 3% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $30,240. There are 5.9 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $29,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,980 | $11.53 |
| 25th percentile | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Median | $29,380 | $14.12 |
| 75th percentile | $31,010 | $14.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Average (mean) | $29,760 | $14.31 |
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 | $2,448.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,224.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,130 |
| Weekly | $565 |
| Hourly | $14.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,380 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lawton, OK | $37,450 | 610 |
| 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 |
| Tulsa, OK | $30,750 | 2,450 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $30,540 | 3,040 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $30,480 | 1,400 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $27,620 | 140 |
| Enid, OK | $27,090 | 210 |
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,370 | $14.12 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,480 | $12.73 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $26,900 | $12.93 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,760 | $11.42 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $23,680 | $11.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $30,780 | $14.80 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,140 | $11.61 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Bartender | $23,830 | $11.46 |
| Dishwasher | $26,630 | $12.80 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,870 | $13.40 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $29,380 a year, or $14.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $36,180 a year. The top 25% earn $31,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,980 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $27,040 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 560 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.