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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK

Cooks in the Fort Smith, AR-OK area earn an average annual salary of $29,390. This figure is notably below the national average of $37,700, indicating a localized pay scale influenced by regional economic factors and the specific demand within the Fort Smith metropolitan area.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $29,390 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 23.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $35,550.
  • Outlook: The Fort Smith, AR-OK region supports a local workforce of 840 Cooks, Restaurant positions. With a Location Quotient of 0.93, the concentration of these jobs is slightly below the national average, suggesting a stable but not exceptionally high demand for culinary professionals in this specific market.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$29,390

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Fort Smith, AR-OK earns-22.0%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$14.1

Weekly

$565

Monthly

$2,449

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Fort Smith, AR-OK

Experience plays a significant role in salary progression for Cooks. Entry-level positions typically fall within the lower percentiles of the salary range, while senior cooks with extensive experience and specialized skills can command salaries in the higher percentiles. The observable gaps between these percentiles signify clear career advancement opportunities within the culinary field.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$23,540$11.3
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$22,043$10.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$28,100$13.5
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$36,738$17.7
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$35,550$17.1

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$29,390

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$29,390

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $29,390 in Fort Smith, AR-OK aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary is comparable to the national standard, suggesting that the cost of essential goods and services is neither a significant advantage nor disadvantage for residents.

Job Market Context

840

Total Jobs

8.729

Per 1K Jobs

0.93

Location Quotient

Below Average

Fort Smith, AR-OK has 0.93x the national average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.93 for Cooks, Restaurant in Fort Smith, AR-OK indicates that the job market for this profession is nearly on par with the national average in terms of concentration. This suggests a balanced supply and demand, where the number of available positions is relatively proportional to the number of qualified individuals in the area, implying moderate competition.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,000↑ 12%51 mi
Hot Springs, AR Cooks, Restaurant Salary$29,930↑ 2%96 mi

Comparing salaries near Fort Smith, AR-OK

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $29,390. This typically ranges from $23,540 for entry-level positions to $35,550 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 22.0% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Fort Smith, AR-OK a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, it is not exceptionally lucrative.The average salary of $29,390 is below the national average, though the Cost of Living Index of 100 suggests comparable purchasing power.

Is Fort Smith, AR-OK a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

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 ($33,000) and Hot Springs, AR.

How does the number of local jobs compare to the national average?

Fort Smith, AR-OK has 8.729 jobs per 1,000 workers for Cooks, Restaurant, which is close to the national average, indicating a steady presence of these roles.

What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) for Cooks in Fort Smith?

An LQ of 0.93 means that the concentration of Cooks, Restaurant jobs in Fort Smith is slightly lower than the national average, suggesting a stable but not overly saturated job market for this role.

Does the Cost of Living in Fort Smith affect the value of a Cook's salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local cost of living matches the national average, meaning the $29,390 salary has standard purchasing power within the region.

How many Cooks, Restaurant are employed in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

The total local workforce for Cooks, Restaurant in Fort Smith, AR-OK is approximately 840 individuals.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 840 employees in the Fort Smith, AR-OK area with a job density of 8.729 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK