Arkansas Median
$30,510
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.67
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $35,880
State Rank
#36 of 49
160 employed here
How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Arkansas?
A Cook, Short Order working in Arkansas earns a median salary of $30,510 per year, or about $14.67 per hour. That is 15% below the national median of $35,880 for this occupation.
Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $26,000 while the top 10% make $37,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,940 and $34,260 a year.
Cook, Short Order salary range in Arkansas
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,000 | $12.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $27,940 | $13.43 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $30,510 | $14.67 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $34,260 | $16.47 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,140 | $17.86 |
|
How Arkansas compares
Arkansas ranks 36th out of 49 states and territories for Cook, Short Order pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Short Order salary in other states
Arizona $46,630Rhode Island $46,250Massachusetts $44,290Hawaii $43,110California $42,930Washington $42,760Colorado $42,450Connecticut $42,450District of Columbia $42,450New Jersey $40,720Idaho $40,090Vermont $38,830Oregon $38,550Delaware $38,500Missouri $38,490Utah $38,010Alaska $37,780Nevada $37,780Illinois $37,440New Mexico $37,150Maryland $36,800New York $35,550Maine $35,360Oklahoma $35,130Michigan $34,510Florida $34,240Iowa $34,090Montana $33,240South Dakota $32,380New Hampshire $32,330Minnesota $32,150Kentucky $31,840North Carolina $31,290Virginia $31,200Nebraska $30,530Tennessee $30,210South Carolina $29,640Ohio $29,290Mississippi $28,180Wisconsin $28,130West Virginia $27,440Kansas $27,400Georgia $26,870Louisiana $26,260Texas $25,320Alabama $22,330Indiana $21,940Pennsylvania $19,910
Working as a Cook, Short Order in Arkansas
Nationally, about 139,000 people work as Cooks, Short Order in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Arkansas pay ($30,510) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Arkansas?
The median Cook, Short Order salary in Arkansas is $30,510 per year, or about $14.67 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $26,000 at the entry level to $37,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Cooks, Short Order about 15% less than the national median of $35,880. Arkansas ranks 36th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Cooks, Short Order?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,510 a year. About 160 Cooks, Short Order are employed in Arkansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cook, Short Order salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.