Chef Salary in Little Rock, AR — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Little Rock's cost of living (index: 85). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Chef Salary in Little Rock — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Little Rock
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Little Rock
Little Rock has a metro population of 750,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.8% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Little Rock
Other Professions in Little Rock
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Chef make in Little Rock, AR?
The estimated median salary for a Chef in Little Rock is $50,082 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $58,920 adjusted by Little Rock's cost of living index (85). The typical salary range runs from $36,423 (25th percentile) to $68,493 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $89,862.
Is Little Rock affordable for a Chef?
On a $50,082 annual salary, a Chef in Little Rock would spend approximately 19.8% of gross monthly income on median rent ($825/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Little Rock relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $195,000 is 3.9× the annual salary.
How does a Chef's salary compare to Little Rock's overall income?
Little Rock's median household income is $56,600. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $50,082 earns 11.5% less than the typical Little Rock household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Little Rock has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.