Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

SOC code 35-9031 · O*NET-SOC 35-9031.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Food service and hospitality

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$31,200

a year

Hourly

$15.00

per hour

10th$22,340Median$31,20090th$43,990

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$32,690

$15.72 per hour

Middle 50%

$27,570 – $36,250

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$22,340 – $43,990

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

432,690

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $22,340; $10.74/hr
25th percentile: $27,570; $13.25/hr
Median percentile: $31,200; $15.00/hr
75th percentile: $36,250; $17.43/hr
90th percentile: $43,990; $21.15/hr

What do hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop do?

Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Provide guests with menus.
Greet guests and seat them at tables or in waiting areas.
Maintain contact with kitchen staff, management, serving staff, and customers to ensure that dining details are handled properly and customers' concerns are addressed.
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.
Inspect dining and serving areas to ensure cleanliness and proper setup.
Operate cash registers to accept payments for food and beverages.
Supervise and coordinate activities of dining room staff to ensure that patrons receive prompt and courteous service.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 42% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Less than a High School Diploma42%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)29%
Some College Courses16%
Bachelor's Degree13%

Common questions

How much does a hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop earn?

The national median is $31,200 a year. The full range runs from $22,340 at the 10th percentile to $43,990 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening3.5/5
Speaking3.1/5
Reading Comprehension2.9/5
Monitoring2.9/5
Critical Thinking2.8/5
Active Learning2.6/5

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
English Language3.7/5
Food Production3.0/5

Transferable strengths: Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Persuasion.