How much does a restaurant host make?
Answer: A typical restaurant host in the United States makes $31,200 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 433,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Restaurant host pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| 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 |
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.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a restaurant host do?
Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like helping and teaching and leading and selling.
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.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Food Preparation and Serving jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
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