Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Arkansas

Chefs and head cooks in Arkansas earn the most in Fayetteville (average $59,310 a year) and the least in Little Rock ($53,090), across the 4 Arkansas metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the chefs and head cooks average at $53,820 and the median at $46,170 for 880 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $66,700.

Chefs and Head Cooks average salary by city in Arkansas

Fayetteville$59,310
Jonesboro$56,950
Hot Springs$54,720
Little Rock$53,090

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Fayetteville	$59,310	$51,230	$44,060	$48,129	91
Jonesboro	$56,950	$52,970	$40,460	$46,319	86
Hot Springs	$54,720	$58,240	$41,250	$44,611	86
Little Rock	$53,090	$44,050	$39,760	$43,361	89

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Arkansas tax is estimated with the Department of Finance and Administration's 2026 withholding formula. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other states

Chefs and Head Cooks salary by city and state

More about pay in Arkansas

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-1011.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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