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Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Arkansas
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Arkansas?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$40,480
Median Annual Salary
▲
+7.2% vs 2024
$42,180
Mean Salary
$40,480
Median Salary
$19.46
Hourly Rate
330 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary by percentile in Arkansas
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas earn a median salary of $40,480 per year ($3,373/month).
This is 1.8% below the national average of $41,230.
Arkansas ranks #23 out of 41 states for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay.
Approximately 330 people work in this occupation across Arkansas.
Salaries increased by 7.2% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
Operate or tend cooking equipment, such as steam cooking vats, deep fry cookers, pressure cookers, kettles, and boilers, to prepare food products.
Top Skills
Operations Monitoring
3.5
Reading Comprehension
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Operation and Control
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Production and Processing
4.35
Food Production
3.8
Administration and Management
3.31
Education and Training
3.13
Mechanical
3.11
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(85.9% of workers)
Salary Range: Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas
Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas range from $34,660 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $48,930 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $38,180 and $46,310.
Median $40,480
P10: $34,660P25: $38,180P75: $46,310P90: $48,930
10th
$34,660
25th
$38,180
Median
$40,480
75th
$46,310
90th
$48,930
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$34,660
$16.66
$2,888
25th Percentile
$38,180
$18.36
$3,181
Median (50th)
$40,480
$19.46
$3,373
75th Percentile
$46,310
$22.26
$3,859
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$48,930
$23.52
$4,077
Note: The mean (average) salary of $42,180 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#23
Arkansas ranks #23 of 41 states
$41,230
National avg. for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Arkansas?
The median annual salary for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas is $40,480 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $42,180.
What is the salary range for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas?
Salaries for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas range from $34,660 at the 10th percentile to $48,930 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $38,180 and $46,310.
What is the starting salary for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas?
Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders positions in Arkansas typically start around $34,660 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $38,180 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 330 people are employed as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas.
What is the hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Arkansas is approximately $19.46 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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