Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Who Earns More?
Waiters and Waitressess out-earn Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops land at $31,200 and Waiters and Waitressess at $35,230. The education gap is real: hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop programs typically require no formal educational credential, while waiters and waitress programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops is Hawaii ($47,070); for Waiters and Waitressess it's Hawaii ($62,390).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops or Waiters and Waitressess?
Waiters and Waitressess earn more nationally. The median is $31,200 for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops versus $35,230 for Waiters and Waitressess, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop or Waiters and Waitresses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop or Waiters and Waitresses?
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop typically requires no formal educational credential. Waiters and Waitresses requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops at $47,070/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop vs. Waiters and Waitresses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops earn $47,070 vs. $62,390 for Waiters and Waitressess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.