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

Restaurant Cook Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK

In the Fort Smith, AR-OK metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $29,800 ($14.33/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,700/year and the 90th was $36,700/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arkansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $25,507 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 85.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,800$14.33 per hour · $2,483 monthly
10th Percentile$25,700$12.36/hr base
25th Percentile$28,100$13.51/hr base
75th Percentile$35,000$16.83/hr base
90th Percentile$36,700$17.64/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

$29,800
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,800
Net 86%
Fed 5%
AR 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$25,507After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,126Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$981Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate14.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,396 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$617 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,280 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant 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 Cooks, Restaurant in the Fort Smith, AR-OK Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AR)
10th Percentile$12.36/hr$2,142$25,700$22,301
25th Percentile$13.51/hr$2,342$28,100$24,196
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.33/hr$2,483$29,800$25,507
75th Percentile$16.83/hr$2,917$35,000$29,483
90th Percentile$17.64/hr$3,058$36,700$30,782

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,800 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 Ratio51%of area median income

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Arkansas:

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Fort Smith, AR-OK

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $29,800, which equates to approximately $2,483 per month or $14.33 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $14.33 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.36/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.64/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK span from $25,700 at the 10th percentile to $28,100 at the 25th, $35,000 at the 75th, and $36,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

On a median gross salary of $29,800, an estimated $25,507 lands in net take-home pay per year ($981 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arkansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,293 (an effective rate of 14.4%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

On the median annual salary of $29,800, gross monthly income is $2,483. After federal, FICA, and Arkansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,126 per month (or $981 every two weeks).

Is $29,800 a good salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

At $29,800, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 51% 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.