2025 Hostess Statistics for New York City, NY

Key Takeaways

• Hostesses in NYC earn approximately $18.81/hour—27% above the national average.
• Over 19,500 hostess jobs exist in NYC metro, with statewide growth projected at 21% by 2032.
• Venue type significantly affects pay; luxury and nightlife roles offer highest compensation.
• Most hostesses are young, female, and have high turnover rates (<1 year tenure).
• Hiring demand is steady despite a shrinking hospitality sector in NYC in early 2025.

This report delivers a compact, statistic-heavy overview of the hostess occupation in New York City for 2025. All figures are sourced from BLS, NY State Department of Labor, OysterLink, and official government datasets.

Pay and Wage Statistics

Hostesses in New York City earn significantly above national averages. Here are the 2025 wage insights:

• Average base wage (NYC): $18.81 per hour
• Average monthly salary (NYC): $3,260
• Annual salary (NYC): $39,120
• National average hourly wage: $14.78
• NYC premium over national average: 27.2%
• New York State average hourly wage: $18.73
• New York State average annual salary: $38,950
• Year-over-year wage change (national): −0.88% from 2024
• Estimated tipped earnings (high-end venues): Up to $600/month additional

Employment Numbers

Hostess employment in the New York metropolitan area remains steady, with modest projected growth:

• NYC metro area hostess jobs (2025): 19,580
• Employment per 1,000 jobs (NYC): 2.06
• Location quotient (relative to national average): 0.74
• Statewide hostess jobs in NY: 19,600
• Projected NY state growth (2022–2032): 21% increase
• New jobs projected annually (NY state): 280 openings per year

Wage Distribution (Percentiles)

Hostess earnings vary by experience, venue, and shift type. Here’s a percentile breakdown:

• 10th percentile hourly wage (NYC): ~$12.10
• 25th percentile hourly wage: ~$14.30
• Median hourly wage: ~$17.60
• 75th percentile hourly wage: ~$20.85
• 90th percentile hourly wage: ~$23.50
• Estimated top-tier hostesses (luxury venues): Over $25/hour including tip

Work Environment and Venue Type

Wages and job stability can differ depending on the work environment:

• Chain restaurants (e.g., Olive Garden, Applebee’s): $15–$18/hour
• Independent restaurants: $16–$20/hour
• Luxury venues (e.g., Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin): $22–$27/hour
• Hotel lobby hostess roles: $18–$24/hour
• Nightlife venues (e.g., Tao, Catch NYC): Higher tip potential; base pay ~$20/hour
• Seasonal rooftop/club hostesses (May–Oct): Variable shifts; high hourly rates with bonuses

Demographic Insights (National Benchmarks)

While NYC-specific demographic data is limited, national numbers provide useful context:

• Gender distribution: ~85% female
• Average age of hostesses: 22
• Racial/ethnic breakdown:
  • White: 57.5%
  • Hispanic/Latino: 19.1%
  • Black: 15.8%
  • Asian: 4.3%
• Bilingual workers (Spanish/English): 65.3%
• Common education level: High school diploma or some college
• First-year turnover rate: Approximately 48% leave within 12 months

NYC Hospitality Job Market Trends (2025)

The broader hospitality landscape affects hostess demand and hiring cycles:

• Private sector jobs (NYC, April 2025): 4,238,900
• Year-over-year private sector job growth: +61,800
• Hospitality-specific job change (YOY): −4,300 jobs
• NYC unemployment rate (April 2025): 5.0%
• New York State unemployment rate: 4.2%
• Total food and beverage establishments in NYC: Over 23,000
• Restaurants employing hostesses (est.): ~38–42% of all establishments

Shift Type & Hours Worked

Shift schedules influence total earnings and job satisfaction:

• Typical shifts per week: 4–5
• Average shift length: 6–8 hours
• Most common shifts: 3:00 PM–11:00 PM, weekends preferred
• AM brunch shift wage range: $15–$18/hour
• PM dinner shift wage range: $18–$24/hour
• Late-night/Nightclub hosting: $22+/hour, high variability

Job Benefits and Stability

Benefits vary by employer size and business model:

• Full-time hostess roles with benefits: ~18%
• Health insurance offering (large hospitality chains): ~22–25%
• Paid sick leave (NYC-mandated): Yes, up to 40 hours/year
• Unionized hostess positions: <2%, rare in hospitality
• Job advancement to manager/Maître D’: Available in upscale venues

Education & Skill Requirements

While most hostess roles are entry-level, certain traits improve employability:

• Required education: None or high school diploma
• Preferred traits: Communication, punctuality, bilingualism
• Required experience (typical): 0–1 year
• Training provided on-the-job: 88% of roles
• Resume keywords sought: “Front of house,” “POS system,” “customer service,” “multi-tasking,” “host rotation”

Top Employers Hiring Hostesses in NYC (2025)

Based on job listing density, brand presence, and known wage competitiveness:

• Restaurants: Carbone, Catch NYC, Tao Downtown, Serafina, Lure Fishbar, The Smith, Carmine’s
• Hotels: The Plaza, The Standard, The Ritz-Carlton
• Groups: Major Food Group, Tao Group Hospitality, Hillstone Restaurant Group