Salary AI Book a Demo

Hostess Salary in the United States

How much does a Hostess make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hostess in the United States is $29,210 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $14.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $33,184
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $26,990 to $31,290
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $24,969
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Hostess Salaries

A Hostess'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 Hostess Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Hostess'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): $28,812
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $29,210
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $29,893
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $29,986
  • Expert (over 8 years): $30,141
Levels Salary
Entry Level Hostess$28,812
Intermediate Level Hostess$29,210
Senior Level Hostess$29,893
Specialist Level Hostess$29,986
Expert Level Hostess$30,141
View as Graph

How Do Hostess 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 Hostesses. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $32,340.
  • California: $32,220.
  • Massachusetts: $31,790.

Top Paying Cities for Hostesses

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: $36,840
  • San Francisco: $36,440
  • Oakland: $35,670

What Skills Can Increase a Hostess'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 Hostess'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 $33,884
16%
Goal Oriented $33,592
15%
Sense Of Urgency $32,715
12%
Get Latest Data

Hostess Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Hostess salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $30,968. While startup companies pay approximate $26,283.

Hostess Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $26,283
Growth Stage 51~500 $27,777
Established 501~5000 $29,930
Enterprise 5000+ $30,968

Hostess Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Hostess 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, Hostess positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Hostess as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Hostess

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Hospitality & Leisure$32,131$15.010%

How Education impacts a Hostess's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Hostesses 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 Hostess with a No Diploma is between $23,259 and $24,557).

Hostess Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Hostess
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

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

Understanding how a Hostess'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
$26,990
Average $29,210/year
$31,290
$2,249
Average $2,434/month
$2,608
$519
Average $562/week
$602
$13
Average $14/hour
$15
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $31,290 $2,608 $602 $15
Average $29,210 $2,434 $562 $14
25th Percentile $26,990 $2,249 $519 $13

Most common benefits for Hostess

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

Common company salaries for Hostess

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

Find Your Next Hostess Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Hostess job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Hostess

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Hostess?

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

2. How much do hostess get paid in the US?

In the US, Hostesses earn between $22,730 and $28,840 annually, with a mid-salary of $25,150. These figures reflect the typical salary range for this position, providing a clear understanding of potential earnings in the industry.

3. How long is a hostess shift?

A hostess shift typically lasts between 6 to 8 hours, with 2-3 hosts/hostesses working together. The salary for a hostess ranges from a minimum of $22,730 to a maximum of $28,840, with a mid-range salary of $25,150.

4. Do hostess make minimum wage?

Hostesses typically earn a minimum salary of $22,730 annually, which is above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Their earnings can vary, with a mid-salary of $25,150 and a maximum salary of $28,840. While tipped employees may start at a lower cash wage, hostesses generally earn more when considering their total compensation.

5. Is it better to be a hostess or waitress?

Being a hostess offers a stable salary range from $22,730 to $28,840, with a mid-salary of $25,150, ensuring consistent earnings without relying on tips. This role typically involves less physical activity, making it suitable for those with limited mobility. In contrast, waitresses can earn more through tips, but their income can vary significantly based on customer satisfaction.

6. Are hostess paid hourly?

Hostesses earn hourly wages, typically ranging from $22,730 to $28,840 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 $25,150, reflecting their important role in the hospitality industry.

7. Does a host make good money?

A host can earn a decent salary, with a minimum of $22,730, a mid-range of $25,150, and a maximum of $28,840 annually. While hourly rates may vary, this salary range indicates that hosting can provide a stable income, especially compared to lower-paying positions. Overall, it can be considered a reasonable earning opportunity.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst