Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop vs. Waiters and Waitresses: Who Earns More?
Waiters and Waitresses out-earn Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop land at $31,200 and Waiters and Waitresses 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 Shop is Hawaii ($47,070); for Waiters and Waitresses 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 Shop or Waiters and Waitresses?
Waiters and Waitresses earn more nationally. The median is $31,200 for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop versus $35,230 for Waiters and Waitresses, 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?
Waiters and Waitresses has the better 10-year outlook at -0.7% projected growth, compared to -1.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
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 Shop get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop 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 Shop earn $47,070 vs. $62,390 for Waiters and Waitresses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.