Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Arkansas
Fast Food and Counter Workers in Arkansas earn a median of $26,250 a year ($12.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 35,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32,120 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $31,200. Arkansas ranks 46th of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay. There are 27 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $26,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,240 | $11.17 |
| 25th percentile | $23,570 | $11.33 |
| Median | $26,250 | $12.62 |
| 75th percentile | $27,850 | $13.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $32,120 | $15.44 |
| Average (mean) | $26,890 | $12.93 |
Half of fast food and counter workers 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 | $2,187.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,093.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,009.62 |
| Weekly | $504.81 |
| Hourly | $12.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $26,250 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,490 | 15,320 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $27,470 | 8,720 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $27,170 | 8,370 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $26,260 | 1,900 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $23,760 | 2,760 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $23,350 | 1,260 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $22,880 | 2,170 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,680 | $11.86 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Bartender | $25,090 | $12.06 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,710 | $13.32 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,240 | $14.54 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,760 | $12.87 |
| 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 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $31,660 | $15.22 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,510 | $14.67 |
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 35-3023. 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 fast food and counter workers make in Arkansas?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in Arkansas is $26,250 a year, or $12.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in Arkansas earn at least $32,120 a year. The top 25% earn $27,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,240 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $23,570 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Arkansas?
About 35,660 fast food and counter workers are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.