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Host Salary in the United States

How much does a Host make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Host in the United States is $29,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $14.

However, a Host's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $33,121
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $27,000 to $31,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $24,906
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Host Salaries

A Host's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Host Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Host's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $28,888
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $29,300
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $29,957
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $30,046
  • Expert (over 8 years): $30,196
Levels Salary
Entry Level Host$28,888
Intermediate Level Host$29,300
Senior Level Host$29,957
Specialist Level Host$30,046
Expert Level Host$30,196
View as Graph

How Do Host Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Hosts. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $32,400.
  • California: $32,300.
  • Massachusetts: $31,800.

Top Paying Cities for Hosts

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $36,900
  • San Francisco: $36,500
  • Oakland: $35,700

What Skills Can Increase a Host's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 18.88% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Product Quality (Mentioned in 3.25% Job Postings): Product quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer needs, serves its purpose and meets industry standards. When evaluating product quality, businesses consider several key factors, including whether a product solves a problem, works efficiently or suits customers' purposes.
  • Hosting (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): An Internet hosting service is a service that runs Internet servers, allowing organizations and individuals to serve content to the Internet. There are various levels of service and various kinds of services offered. A common kind of hosting is web hosting. Most hosting providers offer a combination of services; e-mail hosting, for example. DNS hosting service is usually bundled with domain name registration. Generic kinds of Internet hosting provide a server where the clients can run anything they want (including web servers and other servers) and have Internet connections with good upstream bandwidth. Full-featured hosting services include: Complex Managed Hosting, Dedicated hosting service, Virtual private server,Colocation facilities, Cloud hosting etc.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 18.88%
Product Quality 3.25%
Hosting 1.3%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Host's salary.

  • Interviewing: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Goal Oriented: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Sense Of Urgency: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Interviewing $33,988
16%
Goal Oriented $33,695
15%
Sense Of Urgency $32,816
12%
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Host Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Host salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $31,063. While startup companies pay approximate $26,364.

Host Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $26,364
Growth Stage 51~500 $27,862
Established 501~5000 $30,022
Enterprise 5000+ $31,063

Host Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Host roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Hospitality & Leisure, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Host positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Host as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Host

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$32,230$15.010%

How Education impacts a Host's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hosts enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Host with a No Diploma is between $23,290 and $24,570).

Host Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Host
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.5%
High School 54.9%
Associates 13.4%
Bachelors 18.3%
Masters 4.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Host Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Host's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$27,000
Average $29,300/year
$31,300
$2,250
Average $2,442/month
$2,608
$519
Average $563/week
$602
$13
Average $14/hour
$15
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $31,300 $2,608 $602 $15
Average $29,300 $2,442 $563 $14
25th Percentile $27,000 $2,250 $519 $13

Most common benefits for Host

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Host

Here are companies hiring for Host and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Host

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Host?

The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Host roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. What does a host do?

A host greets customers as they enter a business, typically in restaurants, cafes, and other dining establishments. They manage reservations, answer phones, and ensure a welcoming atmosphere. The salary for a host ranges from $22,800 to $28,900, with a mid-range salary of $25,200, reflecting their important role in customer service.

3. What is the difference between a host and a hostess?

The terms host and hostess both refer to the same role in a restaurant, with host typically denoting a male staff member and hostess a female. In this position, salaries range from $22,800 to $28,900, with a mid-salary of $25,200, reflecting the responsibilities of welcoming guests and managing seating arrangements.

4. How much should I get paid as a host?

As of now, the salary for a Host ranges from a minimum of $22,800 to a maximum of $28,900 annually, with a mid-salary of $25,200. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately $10.96 to $13.88, depending on experience and location. It's essential to consider these figures when evaluating your expected pay as a Host.

5. Can waiters make 100k?

While some high-end restaurants may offer lucrative earnings, the average salary for waiters typically ranges from $22,800 to $28,900 annually. Achieving a six-figure income is rare and usually depends on factors like location, tips, and sales performance. Most servers earn between $22,800 and $25,200, making $100,000 a challenging target for many.

6. Are hostess paid hourly?

Hostesses earn hourly wages, typically ranging from $22,800 to $28,900 annually. This translates to an hourly rate that is often higher than that of other service employees who rely on tips. The mid-salary for hostesses is approximately $25,200, reflecting competitive compensation in the hospitality industry.

7. Where do hosts make the most money?

Hosts can earn between $22,800 and $28,900 annually, with a mid-salary of $25,200. While cities like New York, NY, offer competitive hourly rates, the overall salary range for hosts varies significantly across locations. It's essential to consider both hourly wages and annual salaries when evaluating the best-paying areas for hosts.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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