How Much Does a Host/Hostess Make in the United States?
The average base salary for a Host/Hostess in the United States is a month or $30,750 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Average Host/Hostess Base Salary:
The average wage for a Host/Hostess is per hour. On average, a Host/Hostess might receive anywhere from $20 to $50 in tips per day, but this can be more or less depending on the type of restaurant and its location.
While Servers and Bartenders more commonly rely on tips as a significant part of their income, Hosts/Hostesses might receive tips less frequently.
Annual Mean Wage of Hosts/Hostesses by State
[Source: BLS]
This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
Average Host/Hostess Salary in Major US Cities
Annual mean wage
$31,380
# of employees
12,540
Annual mean wage
$39,120
# of employees
19,580
Annual mean wage
$31,900
# of employees
10,460
Annual mean wage
$39,570
# of employees
16,880
[Source: BLS]
High-Paying Cities for Hosts/Hostesses
| City | Avg Salary | Avg Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 31,900 | 15.34 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 39,570 | 19.02 |
| Miami, FL | 31,380 | 15.09 |
| NYC, NY | 39,120 | 18.81 |
Average Hosts/Hostesses Salary per State
Explore the average Hosts/Hostesses salary by state.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $25,740 |
| Alaska | $36,880 |
| Arizona | $34,770 |
| Arkansas | $27,840 |
| California | $43,570 |
| Colorado | $37,690 |
| Connecticut | $36,310 |
| Delaware | $30,500 |
| Florida | $32,230 |
| Georgia | $28,570 |
| Hawaii | $49,460 |
| Idaho | $32,560 |
| Illinois | $37,110 |
| Indiana | $31,150 |
| Iowa | $31,440 |
| Kansas | $29,170 |
| Kentucky | $28,310 |
| Louisiana | $25,440 |
| Maine | $36,000 |
| Maryland | $33,150 |
| Massachusetts | $41,700 |
| Michigan | $32,310 |
| Minnesota | $36,150 |
| Mississippi | $23,920 |
| Missouri | $30,880 |
| Montana | $32,400 |
| Nebraska | $30,100 |
| Nevada | $40,440 |
| New Hampshire | $35,020 |
| New Jersey | $36,540 |
| New Mexico | $30,330 |
| New York | $46,610 |
| North Carolina | $30,470 |
| North Dakota | $32,060 |
| Ohio | $29,940 |
| Oklahoma | $26,470 |
| Oregon | $36,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $32,340 |
| Rhode Island | $35,660 |
| South Carolina | $28,680 |
| South Dakota | $29,960 |
| Tennessee | $29,880 |
| Texas | $28,770 |
| Utah | $34,050 |
| Vermont | $36,820 |
| Virginia | $31,180 |
| Washington | $39,310 |
| West Virginia | $27,180 |
| Wisconsin | $32,720 |
| Wyoming | $32,720 |
| District of Columbia | $45,610 |
How Much Do Similar Careers to a Host/Hostess Get Paid?
Host/Hostesses earn less than Servers, Bartenders and Food Runners.
The table below shows the average annual salaries for these related roles:
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Server | |
| Bartender | |
| Food Runner |
Labor Laws and Taxes for Hosts/Hostesses
As a Host/Hostess, you need to be aware of the minimum wage, tipped wage credit, overtime pay and leave policies in your state.
Check out the guides below or view more labor laws:
- New York Labor Law Guide
- Illinois Labor Law Guide
- California Labor Law Guide
- Florida Labor Law Guide
To easily calculate federal, state and local taxes in your state, use our free Paycheck Calculator.
