Chef Salary in Arkansas (2026)
$22.20 per hour · take-home ≈ $37,661/year ($3,138/month) for a single filer
Arkansas ranks 50th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 27% below the national average. Of the 880 Chef jobs BLS counts in Arkansas, the typical worker earns $46,170 a year — though pay ranges from $33,500 for newcomers to $87,730 at the top.
Chef pay range in Arkansas
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $33,500 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $39,430 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $46,170 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $64,970 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $87,730 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 880 Chef jobs in Arkansas (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Arkansas
A median Chef salary of $46,170 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Arkansas state income tax, a single filer keeps about $37,661 — an effective tax rate of 18.4%.
| Gross (median) | $46,170 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,360 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,532 |
| Arkansas state income tax | −$1,617 |
| Take-home (annual) | $37,661 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,138 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Arkansas paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Arkansas?
- The median Chef salary in Arkansas is $46,170 per year ($22.20 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $39,430 and $64,970.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Arkansas?
- On the median salary of $46,170, a single filer in Arkansas takes home about $37,661 per year ($3,138 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.4%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Arkansas?
- BLS counts 880 Chef jobs in Arkansas in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Arkansas
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Arkansas state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Arkansas.