Cook Salary in Arkansas (2026)
$14.51 per hour · take-home ≈ $25,436/year ($2,120/month) for a single filer
Cook pay range in Arkansas
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $26,020 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $28,470 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $30,180 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $35,410 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $37,140 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 11,270 Cook jobs in Arkansas (occupation code 35-2014, “Cooks, Restaurant”).
Gross vs. take-home in Arkansas
A median Cook salary of $30,180 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 $25,436 — an effective tax rate of 15.7%.
| Gross (median) | $30,180 |
| Federal income tax | −$1,442 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,309 |
| Arkansas state income tax | −$993 |
| Take-home (annual) | $25,436 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,120 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Arkansas paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Cook make in Arkansas?
- The median Cook salary in Arkansas is $30,180 per year ($14.51 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $28,470 and $35,410.
- What is the take-home pay for a Cook in Arkansas?
- On the median salary of $30,180, a single filer in Arkansas takes home about $25,436 per year ($2,120 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 15.7%.
- How many Cook jobs are there in Arkansas?
- BLS counts 11,270 Cook jobs in Arkansas in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Cooks
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.