Fort Smith, AR-OK · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK

In the Fort Smith, AR-OK metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $27,300 ($13.13/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,700/year and the 90th was $35,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arkansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $23,564 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 85.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$27,300$13.13 per hour · $2,275 monthly
10th Percentile$23,700$11.39/hr base
25th Percentile$25,600$12.31/hr base
75th Percentile$32,000$15.38/hr base
90th Percentile$35,800$17.21/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

$27,300
$15,000$55,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$27,300
Net 86%
Fed 4%
AR 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$23,564After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,964Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$906Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate13.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,120 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$527 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,088 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR-OK

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 Fort Smith, AR-OK Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AR)
10th Percentile$11.39/hr$1,975$23,700$20,722
25th Percentile$12.31/hr$2,133$25,600$22,222
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.13/hr$2,275$27,300$23,564
75th Percentile$15.38/hr$2,667$32,000$27,189
90th Percentile$17.21/hr$2,983$35,800$30,094

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Fort Smith, AR-OK

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$27,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$58,468Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index85.914.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46.7%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 Fort Smith, AR-OK

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $27,300, which equates to approximately $2,275 per month or $13.13 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $13.13 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.39/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.21/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Fort Smith, AR-OK span from $23,700 at the 10th percentile to $25,600 at the 25th, $32,000 at the 75th, and $35,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

On a median gross salary of $27,300, an estimated $23,564 lands in net take-home pay per year ($906 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arkansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,736 (an effective rate of 13.7%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

On the median annual salary of $27,300, gross monthly income is $2,275. After federal, FICA, and Arkansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,964 per month (or $906 every two weeks).

Is $27,300 a good salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

At $27,300, the median salary for food preparation workers is 46.7% of the Fort Smith, AR-OK median household income ($58,468). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 85.9, making regional consumer goods and services 14.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.