Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Salary
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · 433K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$31,200
Median hourly
$15
Average annual
$32,690
Typical range
$22,340–$43,990
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop is $31,200 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $15 an hour at a full-time schedule.
Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service..
Most earn between $22,340 and $43,990 a year. There are roughly 433K people employed as hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop.
- Hourly
- $15.00
- Daily
- $120
- Weekly
- $600
- Bi-weekly
- $1,200
- Monthly
- $2,600
- Annual
- $31,200
$31,200 a year is around the 50th percentile for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops. The median is $31,200.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1Hawaii$47,070
- 2Oregon$40,720
- 3District of Columbia$37,570
- 4Washington$37,270
- 5Maine$36,800
- 6California$36,640
- 7New York$36,490
- 8Colorado$36,340
- 9Massachusetts$34,960
- 10Maryland$34,860
- 11Arizona$34,740
- 12Connecticut$34,210
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Urban Honolulu, HI$47,110
- 2Kahului-Wailuku, HI$45,240
- 3Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$43,410
- 4San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$42,400
- 5Grants Pass, OR$40,890
- 6Bend, OR$40,090
- 7San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA$39,810
- 8Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$38,430
- 9Boulder, CO$38,220
- 10Napa, CA$38,200
- 11Eugene-Springfield, OR$38,120
- 12Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA$37,890
Related job titles
Employers advertise Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop roles under these titles.
Related occupations
- Waiters and Waitresses$35,230
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$33,980
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$35,360
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$31,200
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$35,070
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants$36,300
- Bartenders$34,340
- Passenger Attendants$37,720
What a Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop does
- Assign patrons to tables suitable for their needs and according to rotation so that servers receive an appropriate number of seatings.
- Speak with patrons to ensure satisfaction with food and service, to respond to complaints, or to make conversation.
- Receive and record patrons' dining reservations.
- Assist other restaurant workers by serving food and beverages, or by bussing tables.
- Provide guests with menus.
- Greet guests and seat them at tables or in waiting areas.
- Answer telephone calls and respond to inquiries or transfer calls.
- Take and prepare to-go orders.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop make?
- The median annual wage for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop is $31,200 ($15 per hour). Pay ranges from about $22,340 at the 10th percentile to $43,990 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $32,690, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops the most?
- Hawaii has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $47,070.
- Is Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 433K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop do?
- Assign patrons to tables suitable for their needs and according to rotation so that servers receive an appropriate number of seatings.; Speak with patrons to ensure satisfaction with food and service, to respond to complaints, or to make conversation.; Receive and record patrons' dining reservations..