How to become hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shopeducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Food Service Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$31,200

25th–75th pct. $27,570–$36,250

Top pay (est.)

$57,200

Top 10% $43,990

Pay in 5 years

$36,500est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$42,700est.

$36,700–$49,600

Outlook score

54/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

21%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+3.4%

107K openings / yr

How to become hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop

Typical education

No formal educational credential

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Short-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop

Key skills

Service Orientation

3.0

Coordination

2.9

Active Listening

2.9

Speaking

2.9

Social Perceptiveness

2.9

Persuasion

2.6

Critical Thinking

2.6

Negotiation

2.5

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

4.1

English Language

2.5

Psychology

2.5

Administration and Management

2.3

Food Production

2.2

Sales and Marketing

2.1

Computers and Electronics

2.0

Mathematics

1.9

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationAssisting and Caring for OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsSelling or Influencing OthersCoaching and Developing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Important abilities

Speech RecognitionNear VisionSpeech ClarityTrunk StrengthOral ExpressionOral Comprehension

Education of workers

Less than high school

42%

High school diploma

29%

Some college

16%

Bachelor's degree

13%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

60%

None / short demo

36%

1–3 months

6–12 months

Related work experience

None

63%

1–3 months

13%

1–2 years

12%

3–6 months

6–12 months

2–4 years

Up to 1 month

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Fast Food and Counter Workers Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages.	$31,200	57/100	30%
2	Waiters and Waitresses Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.	$35,230	50/100	18%
3	Cooks, Restaurant Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants.	$37,390	65/100	19%
4	First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.	$44,080	60/100	30%
5	Food Preparation Workers Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.	$35,320	42/100	30%
6	Bartenders Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.	$34,340	58/100	20%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.