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Food Preparation Workers Salary in Arkansas
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Food Preparation Workers make in Arkansas?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$27,660
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.2% vs 2024
$29,460
Mean Salary
$27,660
Median Salary
$13.30
Hourly Rate
5,500 people work as Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas
Food Preparation Workers salary by percentile in Arkansas
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas earn a median salary of $27,660 per year ($2,305/month).
This is 17.7% below the national average of $33,596.
Arkansas ranks #48 out of 51 states for Food Preparation Workers pay.
Approximately 5,500 people work in this occupation across Arkansas.
Salaries increased by 1.2% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Food Preparation Workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Social Perceptiveness
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Service Orientation
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Customer and Personal Service
4.39
Administration and Management
3.19
Public Safety and Security
2.99
Food Production
2.93
English Language
2.91
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.6% of workers)
Salary Range: Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas
Salaries for Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas range from $24,020 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $36,260 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $25,900 and $32,390.
Median $27,660
P10: $24,020P25: $25,900P75: $32,390P90: $36,260
10th
$24,020
25th
$25,900
Median
$27,660
75th
$32,390
90th
$36,260
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$24,020
$11.55
$2,001
25th Percentile
$25,900
$12.45
$2,158
Median (50th)
$27,660
$13.30
$2,305
75th Percentile
$32,390
$15.57
$2,699
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$36,260
$17.43
$3,021
Note: The mean (average) salary of $29,460 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Food Preparation Workers make in Arkansas?
The median annual salary for Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas is $27,660 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $29,460.
What is the salary range for a Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas?
Salaries for Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas range from $24,020 at the 10th percentile to $36,260 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $25,900 and $32,390.
What is the starting salary for a Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas?
Entry-level Food Preparation Workers positions in Arkansas typically start around $24,020 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $25,900 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 5,500 people are employed as Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas.
What is the hourly rate for a Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Food Preparation Workers in Arkansas is approximately $13.30 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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