Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
Also called: Restaurant Hosts
Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
Also called: Bar Host, Bar Hostess, Breakfast Host, Buffet Hostess, Deli Host (Delicatessen Host), Dining Coordinator
Median pay
$31,200
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$22,340 – $43,990
People employed
432,690
Holland code
SEC
Social · Enterprising · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 3.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 4.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 5.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 6.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 7.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary in every state →
What hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop do
- 01Provide guests with menus.
- 02Greet guests and seat them at tables or in waiting areas.
- 03Maintain contact with kitchen staff, management, serving staff, and customers to ensure that dining details are handled properly and customers' concerns are addressed.
- 04Assign patrons to tables suitable for their needs and according to rotation so that servers receive an appropriate number of seatings.
- 05Speak with patrons to ensure satisfaction with food and service, to respond to complaints, or to make conversation.
- 06Inspect dining and serving areas to ensure cleanliness and proper setup.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Food Production
- Psychology
- Computers and Electronics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Optimism
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
- Waiters and Waitresses91% · +13%
- Fast Food and Counter Workers87% · 0%
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant84% · +13%
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks84% · +12%
- Bartenders84% · +10%
Change into hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Waiters and Waitresses90% · $35,230
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers89% · $32,910
- Bartenders81% · $34,340
- Fast Food and Counter Workers81% · $31,200
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks81% · $35,070