How much does a restaurant host make?
a year · about $15 an hour
A typical restaurant host in the United States makes $31,200 a year, about $15 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
During a shift, a host greets guests, records reservations, manages the waitlist, and seats each party. They hand out menus and coordinate with servers and kitchen staff to keep service running smoothly.
Did you know? A restaurant host may do more than greet guests: O*NET says hosts can coordinate dining-room staff so customers get prompt, courteous service.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $22,340 and $43,990How do you become one?
In the U.S., no diploma or past experience is usually needed; hosts learn on the job. Federal law generally allows restaurant work from age 14, but teen hours and tasks are limited, and states may be stricter.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like helping and teaching and leading and selling
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience, location, and the type of restaurant or employer can affect a host’s pay. Working more hours changes total earnings, and evening or weekend shifts are common, but hosts usually need no formal schooling.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Hawaii ($47,070), lowest in Mississippi ($21,990).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $22,340 | $31,200 | $43,990 | about 433,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $47,070 | about 3,000 |
| Oregon | $40,720 | about 6,000 |
| District of Columbia | $37,570 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $37,270 | about 10,000 |
| Maine | $36,800 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/food-and-beverage-serving-and-relat
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/35-9031.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- webapps.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/028.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY