Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Salary in 2026
How Much Do Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops Make?
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops earn a median annual salary of $30,380 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $22,010 at the 10th percentile to $42,600 at the 90th percentile — a range of $20,590. The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $43,070.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,010 |
| 25th percentile | $26,630 |
| Median (50th) | $30,380 |
| 75th percentile | $35,840 |
| 90th percentile | $42,600 |
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaiitop | $43,070 |
| New York | $37,070 |
| District of Columbia | $36,950 |
| Washington | $36,500 |
| California | $35,910 |
| Colorado | $35,720 |
| Maine | $35,100 |
| Alaska | $34,800 |
| Massachusetts | $34,790 |
| New Jersey | $34,270 |
| Oregon | $34,270 |
| Arizona | $34,110 |
| Connecticut | $33,650 |
| Vermont | $32,670 |
| Maryland | $32,230 |
| Illinois | $31,080 |
| Rhode Island | $30,990 |
| New Hampshire | $30,670 |
| Virginia | $30,100 |
| Minnesota | $29,750 |
| Nevada | $29,390 |
| South Dakota | $29,320 |
| Montana | $29,160 |
| Florida | $29,110 |
| Wisconsin | $28,800 |
| Utah | $28,790 |
| Iowa | $28,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,400 |
| Tennessee | $28,340 |
| Indiana | $28,330 |
| North Dakota | $28,240 |
| Georgia | $28,160 |
| Michigan | $28,160 |
| Delaware | $28,130 |
| Missouri | $28,030 |
| New Mexico | $27,910 |
| Ohio | $27,590 |
| Nebraska | $27,320 |
| Texas | $27,000 |
| Kansas | $26,970 |
| Idaho | $26,650 |
| North Carolina | $26,560 |
| South Carolina | $26,520 |
| Arkansas | $26,180 |
| Kentucky | $26,000 |
| Alabama | $24,960 |
| Wyoming | $23,280 |
| West Virginia | $23,180 |
| Oklahoma | $22,430 |
| Mississippi | $21,580 |
| Louisiana | $20,650 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$22,010 – $26,630 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$30,380 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$35,840 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $42,600+ |
How to Earn More as a Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops in Kahului-Wailuku, HI earn $46,250 — $15,870 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($35,840) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shopthis career | $30,380 |
| Food Service Manager | $65,310 |
| Lodging Manager | $68,130 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner | $59,440 |
| Chefs and Head Cook | $60,990 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
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SOC: 35-9031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.