Average Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Fast Food Cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK earn an average annual salary of $25,790, which is notably below the national average of $31,130. This disparity is often influenced by regional economic factors, including the overall demand for labor and the prevailing wage scales within the local market. Understanding these local dynamics is crucial for assessing compensation in this role.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $25,790 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 31.2% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $31,770.
- Outlook: The Fort Smith, AR-OK area supports a local workforce of 480 Fast Food Cooks, indicating a stable presence of this occupation. With a Location Quotient of 1.15, the concentration of these jobs is slightly higher than the national average, suggesting a moderate but consistent demand for fast food services within the region.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Fast Food in Fort Smith, AR-OK earns-17.2%below the national average.
$12.4
$496
$2,149
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Fort Smith's fast food cook salaries isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume a general upward trend in wages over the past four years, mirroring national patterns. Economic shifts and inflation typically drive incremental salary increases across most sectors, including fast food, to maintain competitive compensation and attract talent.
Cooks, Fast Food Salary Distribution in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Salary progression for Fast Food Cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while experienced cooks with supervisory responsibilities or specialized skills can command higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings reflect this career ladder, with senior roles occupying the higher salary brackets.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $22,880 | $11 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $19,343 | $9.3 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $23,580 | $11.3 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $32,238 | $15.5 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $31,770 | $15.3 |
Detailed Cooks, Fast Food Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$25,790
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$25,790
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $25,790 in Fort Smith, AR-OK, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the take-home pay is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is relatively on par with the rest of the country, making the cost of living a neutral factor in this comparison.
Job Market Context
480
Total Jobs
4.967
Per 1K Jobs
1.15
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.15, Fort Smith, AR-OK has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Fast Food roles compared to the national norm.
A Location Quotient of 1.15 for Fast Food Cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK, signifies that this occupation is slightly more concentrated in the area compared to the national average. This suggests a healthy, albeit not overwhelmingly dominant, job market for these roles, indicating a steady demand that aligns with the local economic landscape.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Fast Food
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR Cooks, Fast Food Salary | $26,840↑ 4% | 51 mi |
Comparing salaries near Fort Smith, AR-OK
Hiring Cooks, Fast Foods?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Fast Food make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $25,790. This typically ranges from $22,880 for entry-level positions to $31,770 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Fort Smith, AR-OK is 17.2% lower than the national median of $31,130.
Is Fort Smith, AR-OK a lucrative place for Cooks, Fast Foods?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $25,790 is significantly lower than the national average of $31,130. However, the cost of living is also at the national average, meaning the lower salary has comparable purchasing power locally.
Is Fort Smith, AR-OK a good place to live for Cooks, Fast Foods?
The Cost of Living Index in Fort Smith, AR-OK is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Some top paying nearby cities include Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR ($26,840) and others.
How does the Fort Smith fast food cook salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Fast Food Cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $25,790, which is approximately $5,340 less than the national average of $31,130.
What is the concentration of Fast Food Cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 1.15, indicating that the proportion of Fast Food Cooks in Fort Smith is slightly higher than the national average.
How does the cost of living in Fort Smith, AR-OK affect the salary?
Fort Smith, AR-OK has a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means the lower nominal salary of $25,790 has purchasing power equivalent to the national average.
What is the total number of Fast Food Cooks in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
There are approximately 480 Fast Food Cooks employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 480 employees in the Fort Smith, AR-OK area with a job density of 4.967 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Fast Food • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK