Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR

In the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $29,100 ($13.99/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,200/year and the 90th was $38,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arkansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,972 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,100$13.99 per hour · $2,425 monthly
10th Percentile$25,200$12.12/hr base
25th Percentile$27,200$13.08/hr base
75th Percentile$34,000$16.35/hr base
90th Percentile$38,100$18.32/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$29,100
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,100
Net 86%
Fed 5%
AR 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,972After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,081Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$960Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,312 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$590 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,226 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AR)
10th Percentile$12.12/hr$2,100$25,200$21,906
25th Percentile$13.08/hr$2,267$27,200$23,485
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.99/hr$2,425$29,100$24,972
75th Percentile$16.35/hr$2,833$34,000$28,718
90th Percentile$18.32/hr$3,175$38,100$31,853

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$81,650Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.48.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio35.6%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Arkansas:

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR is $29,100, which equates to approximately $2,425 per month or $13.99 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR is $13.99 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.12/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.32/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR span from $25,200 at the 10th percentile to $27,200 at the 25th, $34,000 at the 75th, and $38,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR?

On a median gross salary of $29,100, an estimated $24,972 lands in net take-home pay per year ($960 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arkansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,128 (an effective rate of 14.2%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR?

On the median annual salary of $29,100, gross monthly income is $2,425. After federal, FICA, and Arkansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,081 per month (or $960 every two weeks).

Is $29,100 a good salary in Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR?

At $29,100, the median salary for food preparation workers is 35.6% of the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR median household income ($81,650). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.4, making regional consumer goods and services 8.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.