Hot Springs, AR · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Hot Springs, AR

In the Hot Springs, AR 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 $36,600/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 85.7 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$34,900$16.78/hr base
90th Percentile$36,600$17.60/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 Hot Springs, 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 Cooks, Restaurant in the Hot Springs, AR 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$16.78/hr$2,908$34,900$29,406
90th Percentile$17.60/hr$3,050$36,600$30,706

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Hot Springs, AR

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$57,181Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index85.714.3% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio52.1%of area median income

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Hot Springs, AR

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Hot Springs, AR?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Hot Springs, AR 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 Hot Springs, AR?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Hot Springs, AR 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 $17.60/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Hot Springs, AR?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Hot Springs, AR span from $25,700 at the 10th percentile to $28,100 at the 25th, $34,900 at the 75th, and $36,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Hot Springs, AR?

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 Hot Springs, AR?

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 Hot Springs, AR?

At $29,800, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 52.1% of the Hot Springs, AR median household income ($57,181). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 85.7, making regional consumer goods and services 14.3% cheaper than the U.S. average.