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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Arkansas
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Arkansas?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$30,240
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.8% vs 2024
$32,720
Mean Salary
$30,240
Median Salary
$14.54
Hourly Rate
6,530 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in Arkansas
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas earn a median salary of $30,240 per year ($2,520/month).
This is 21.8% below the national average of $38,684.
Arkansas ranks #46 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay.
Approximately 6,530 people work in this occupation across Arkansas.
Salaries increased by 1.8% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
Top Skills
Speaking
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Service Orientation
3.12
Operations Monitoring
3.12
Quality Control Analysis
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
3.6
Food Production
3.58
Customer and Personal Service
3.56
Mathematics
3.54
Administration and Management
3.34
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(71.1% of workers)
Salary Range: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas range from $25,810 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $39,720 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $28,300 and $35,300.
Median $30,240
P10: $25,810P25: $28,300P75: $35,300P90: $39,720
10th
$25,810
25th
$28,300
Median
$30,240
75th
$35,300
90th
$39,720
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$25,810
$12.41
$2,150
25th Percentile
$28,300
$13.61
$2,358
Median (50th)
$30,240
$14.54
$2,520
75th Percentile
$35,300
$16.97
$2,941
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$39,720
$19.10
$3,310
Note: The mean (average) salary of $32,720 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#46
Arkansas ranks #46 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Arkansas?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas is $30,240 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $32,720.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas range from $25,810 at the 10th percentile to $39,720 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $28,300 and $35,300.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in Arkansas typically start around $25,810 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $28,300 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 6,530 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Arkansas is approximately $14.54 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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