Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shops earn $40,000 at the median — $19.23 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $48K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $36,225 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 126.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $40K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shops
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shops (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $40K.Top earners bring in $48K or more - a $10K spread from bottom to top.
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $43K | +42% | 2,320 |
| New York | $37K | +22% | 17,350 |
| District of Columbia | $37K | +22% | 2,320 |
| Washington | $37K | +20% | 9,770 |
| California | $36K | +18% | 42,450 |
| Maine | $35K | +16% | 1,460 |
| Alaska | $35K | +15% | 820 |
| Massachusetts | $35K | +15% | 11,280 |
| New Jersey | $34K | +13% | 7,940 |
| Oregon | $34K | +13% | 4,450 |
| Arizona | $34K | +12% | 10,860 |
| Connecticut | $34K | +11% | 4,490 |
| Vermont | $33K | +8% | 1,040 |
| Maryland | $32K | +6% | 6,450 |
| Illinois | $31K | +2% | 12,500 |
Track hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shops make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $40,000 a year - that works out to about $19.23 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,040, and experienced hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shops can clear $48,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $40K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,783/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 125.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop salary is worth about $36,225 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shops get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.