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Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR

In the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $28,400 ($13.65/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $24,700/year and the 90th was $37,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arkansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,433 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 89.4 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$28,400$13.65 per hour · $2,367 monthly
10th Percentile$24,700$11.88/hr base
25th Percentile$26,600$12.79/hr base
75th Percentile$33,300$16.01/hr base
90th Percentile$37,300$17.93/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 payWhat $28,000 a year leaves after tax in ArkansasFederal tax, FICA and Arkansas withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$14 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $28,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $28,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Arkansas publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Arkansas.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$28,400
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$28,400
Net 86%
Fed 4%
AR 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,433After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,036Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$940Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,230 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$565 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,173 / yr
Customize deductions in full Arkansas calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, 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 Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AR)
10th Percentile$11.88/hr$2,058$24,700$21,512
25th Percentile$12.79/hr$2,217$26,600$23,012
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.65/hr$2,367$28,400$24,433
75th Percentile$16.01/hr$2,775$33,300$28,183
90th Percentile$17.93/hr$3,108$37,300$31,241

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$28,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$67,154Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index89.410.6% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.3%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Arkansas metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR is $28,400, which equates to approximately $2,367 per month or $13.65 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR is $13.65 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.88/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.93/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR span from $24,700 at the 10th percentile to $26,600 at the 25th, $33,300 at the 75th, and $37,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR?

On a median gross salary of $28,400, an estimated $24,433 lands in net take-home pay per year ($940 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arkansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,967 (an effective rate of 14%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR?

On the median annual salary of $28,400, gross monthly income is $2,367. After federal, FICA, and Arkansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,036 per month (or $940 every two weeks).

Is $28,400 a good salary in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR?

At $28,400, the median salary for food preparation workers is 42.3% of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR median household income ($67,154). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 89.4, making regional consumer goods and services 10.6% cheaper than the U.S. average.