How much does a host and hostess make?
The median host and hostess in the United States earns $31,200 per year, about $15.00 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all hosts and hostesses earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 35-9031.
Host and hostess salary range
Pay for hosts and hostesses spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $22,340 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $43,990. The average (mean) wage of $32,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,340 | $10.74 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $27,570 | $13.25 | |
| Median (50th) | $31,200 | $15.00 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $36,250 | $17.43 | |
| 90th percentile | $43,990 | $21.15 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop (SOC 35-9031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Host and hostess salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Hosts and hostesses earn the most in Hawaii at $47,070 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $21,990. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $47,070 | 2,650 |
| Oregon | $40,720 | 5,740 |
| District of Columbia | $37,570 | 2,450 |
| Washington | $37,270 | 9,530 |
| Maine | $36,800 | 1,460 |
| California | $36,640 | 41,100 |
| New York | $36,490 | 18,640 |
| Colorado | $36,340 | 9,490 |
| Massachusetts | $34,960 | 13,540 |
| Maryland | $34,860 | 7,390 |
| Arizona | $34,740 | 10,710 |
| Connecticut | $34,210 | 3,670 |
| New Jersey | $34,050 | 9,420 |
| New Hampshire | $33,920 | 2,130 |
| Rhode Island | $31,400 | N/A |
| Delaware | $31,200 | 1,680 |
| Illinois | $31,200 | 16,500 |
| Nevada | $31,170 | 6,570 |
| Vermont | $31,080 | 1,060 |
| Virginia | $30,490 | 10,890 |
| South Dakota | $30,310 | 630 |
| Alaska | $30,210 | 740 |
| Minnesota | $30,200 | 7,150 |
| Florida | $29,810 | 37,100 |
| Utah | $29,610 | 4,950 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,170 | 18,020 |
| Missouri | $29,130 | 8,510 |
| Michigan | $28,950 | 12,620 |
| Montana | $28,910 | 1,260 |
| North Dakota | $28,660 | 800 |
| New Mexico | $28,480 | 2,670 |
| Nebraska | $28,450 | 2,830 |
| North Carolina | $28,320 | 15,160 |
| Iowa | $28,210 | 2,630 |
| Kansas | $28,110 | 4,540 |
| Wisconsin | $28,060 | 6,430 |
| Georgia | $27,850 | 17,300 |
| Ohio | $27,550 | 15,480 |
| Tennessee | $27,490 | 11,280 |
| Idaho | $27,280 | 2,360 |
| Kentucky | $27,100 | 5,120 |
| Texas | $27,080 | 35,550 |
| South Carolina | $27,000 | 7,990 |
| Indiana | $26,920 | 9,730 |
| Arkansas | $26,760 | 3,110 |
| Alabama | $26,130 | 5,400 |
| Oklahoma | $24,740 | 5,060 |
| West Virginia | $24,420 | 1,580 |
| Wyoming | $22,660 | 660 |
| Louisiana | $22,060 | 6,440 |
| Mississippi | $21,990 | 2,660 |
State median wages for hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop (SOC 35-9031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for hosts and hostesses
The BLS projects employment of hosts and hostesses to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 444,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 459,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 107,100 openings a year for hosts and hostesses. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a host and hostess
The typical entry-level education for hosts and hostesses is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a host and hostess earns
Employer, region, seniority, and in many cases tips shape take-home pay. Fine dining, large venues, and high cost cities lift the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $47,070) and the lowest (Mississippi, $21,990) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 432,690 people work as hosts and hostesses in the United States. At $31,200 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Host and hostess salary FAQ
How much does a host and hostess make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a host and hostess is $15.00. The middle half of hosts and hostesses earn between $13.25 and $17.43 per hour.
What is the highest host and hostess salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of hosts and hostesses earn more than $43,990 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a host and hostess make a year?
The median annual salary for a host and hostess is $31,200. The average (mean) wage of $32,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a host and hostess a well paid job?
At $31,200 a year, a host and hostess earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 432,690 people work as hosts and hostesses in the United States.
Which state pays hosts and hostesses the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for hosts and hostesses at $47,070 a year. Oregon ($40,720) and District of Columbia ($37,570) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a host and hostess a good career?
Employment of hosts and hostesses is projected to grow 3.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 107,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a host and hostess?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for hosts and hostesses as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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