Salary comparison

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Salary Comparison (2026)

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops earn a median salary of $30,380/year, while Waiters and Waitressess earn $33,760/year - a difference of $3,380. Waiters and Waitressess earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

Waiters and Waitresses

Median salary

$30,380

$33,760

Hourly rate

$14.61/hr

$16.23/hr

Entry level (10th %)

$22,010

$18,500

Senior level (90th %)

$42,600

$62,510

Education required

Varies

U.S. employment

427,150

2,302,690

Job growth (10-year)

N/A