Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop (SOC 35-9031) employed 432,690 people in May 2025. The median pay is $31,200 a year ($15.00 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $22,340 and the highest-paid 10% more than $43,990. BLS projects its employment to change by +3.4% between 2025 and 2035 (about 107,100 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: No formal educational credential.
Highest median pay: Hawaii ($47,070), Oregon ($40,720), District of Columbia ($37,570). Most jobs: California (41,100), Florida (37,100), Texas (35,550).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,340 | $10.74 |
| 25th percentile | $27,570 | $13.25 |
| Median | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Mean | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| 75th percentile | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $43,990 | $21.15 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 444,200 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 459,500 |
| Change in jobs | 15,300 |
| Percent change | +3.4% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 107,100 |
| Self-employed share | 2.0% |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 5,400 | 0.92 | $26,130 | $21,230 | $34,400 | -16% | 49% |
| Alaska | 740 | 0.82 | $30,210 | $24,770 | $44,270 | -3% | 57% |
| Arizona | 10,710 | 1.19 | $34,740 | $30,710 | $46,850 | +11% | 58% |
| Arkansas | 3,110 | 0.86 | $26,760 | $23,460 | $33,560 | -14% | 44% |
| California | 41,100 | 0.81 | $36,640 | $34,360 | $46,060 | +17% | 69% |
| Colorado | 9,490 | 1.19 | $36,340 | $30,800 | $55,660 | +16% | 60% |
| Connecticut | 3,670 | 0.78 | $34,210 | $34,010 | $44,060 | +10% | 54% |
| Delaware | 1,680 | 1.25 | $31,200 | $31,200 | $35,360 | +0% | 59% |
| District of Columbia | 2,450 | 1.25 | $37,570 | $36,740 | $47,090 | +20% | 62% |
| Florida | 37,100 | 1.34 | $29,810 | $27,750 | $43,680 | -4% | 73% |
| Georgia | 17,300 | 1.27 | $27,850 | $19,890 | $34,900 | -11% | 65% |
| Hawaii | 2,650 | 1.52 | $47,070 | $29,710 | $62,560 | +51% | 50% |
| Idaho | 2,360 | 0.99 | $27,280 | $18,400 | $35,770 | -13% | 61% |
| Illinois | 16,500 | 0.97 | $31,200 | $31,200 | $44,720 | +0% | 51% |
| Indiana | 9,730 | 1.09 | $26,920 | $19,290 | $37,060 | -14% | 49% |
| Iowa | 2,630 | 0.61 | $28,210 | $21,880 | $40,550 | -10% | 42% |
| Kansas | 4,540 | 1.14 | $28,110 | $18,040 | $39,040 | -10% | 46% |
| Kentucky | 5,120 | 0.92 | $27,100 | $19,150 | $35,300 | -13% | 44% |
| Louisiana | 6,440 | 1.20 | $22,060 | $16,280 | $31,610 | -29% | 58% |
| Maine | 1,460 | 0.82 | $36,800 | $30,840 | $51,040 | +18% | 39% |
| Maryland | 7,390 | 0.96 | $34,860 | $31,200 | $38,180 | +12% | 59% |
| Massachusetts | 13,540 | 1.34 | $34,960 | $31,200 | $41,740 | +12% | 63% |
| Michigan | 12,620 | 1.03 | $28,950 | $25,960 | $37,270 | -7% | 48% |
| Minnesota | 7,150 | 0.87 | $30,200 | $24,000 | $38,960 | -3% | 51% |
| Mississippi | 2,660 | 0.82 | $21,990 | $17,240 | $28,890 | -30% | 54% |
| Missouri | 8,510 | 1.04 | $29,130 | $28,600 | $37,440 | -7% | 44% |
| Montana | 1,260 | 0.88 | $28,910 | $22,700 | $35,980 | -7% | 49% |
| Nebraska | 2,830 | 0.99 | $28,450 | $28,080 | $38,750 | -9% | 46% |
| Nevada | 6,570 | 1.52 | $31,170 | $25,150 | $48,810 | -0% | 66% |
| New Hampshire | 2,130 | 1.12 | $33,920 | $26,330 | $38,460 | +9% | 55% |
| New Jersey | 9,420 | 0.79 | $34,050 | $32,220 | $43,160 | +9% | 63% |
| New Mexico | 2,670 | 1.10 | $28,480 | $26,830 | $35,180 | -9% | 47% |
| New York | 18,640 | 0.69 | $36,490 | $32,910 | $53,060 | +17% | 54% |
| North Carolina | 15,160 | 1.10 | $28,320 | $19,100 | $36,460 | -9% | 57% |
| North Dakota | 800 | 0.67 | $28,660 | $22,020 | $37,670 | -8% | 41% |
| Ohio | 15,480 | 1.00 | $27,550 | $22,870 | $37,320 | -12% | 47% |
| Oklahoma | 5,060 | 1.07 | $24,740 | $18,810 | $39,310 | -21% | 51% |
| Oregon | 5,740 | 1.05 | $40,720 | $30,850 | $62,030 | +31% | 47% |
| Pennsylvania | 18,020 | 1.07 | $29,170 | $20,800 | $41,380 | -7% | 52% |
| South Carolina | 7,990 | 1.25 | $27,000 | $17,740 | $37,230 | -13% | 57% |
| South Dakota | 630 | 0.50 | $30,310 | $25,380 | $36,800 | -3% | 40% |
| Tennessee | 11,280 | 1.24 | $27,490 | $20,180 | $35,770 | -12% | 56% |
| Texas | 35,550 | 0.91 | $27,080 | $17,270 | $36,870 | -13% | 65% |
| Utah | 4,950 | 1.02 | $29,610 | $22,040 | $45,100 | -5% | 65% |
| Vermont | 1,060 | 1.26 | $31,080 | $29,780 | $47,670 | -0% | 51% |
| Virginia | 10,890 | 0.95 | $30,490 | $27,230 | $44,630 | -2% | 65% |
| Washington | 9,530 | 0.96 | $37,270 | $34,650 | $59,430 | +19% | 59% |
| West Virginia | 1,580 | 0.81 | $24,420 | $19,640 | $30,460 | -22% | 43% |
| Wisconsin | 6,430 | 0.79 | $28,060 | $17,830 | $37,440 | -10% | 49% |
| Wyoming | 660 | 0.85 | $22,660 | $17,280 | $33,800 | -27% | 53% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 1,740 | $47,110 | $29,580 | $62,050 | 1.40 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 490 | $45,240 | $33,280 | $69,980 | 2.39 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 3,390 | $43,410 | $33,180 | $63,690 | 1.01 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,860 | $42,400 | $39,310 | $53,710 | 0.59 |
| Bend, OR | 480 | $40,090 | $31,780 | $61,240 | 1.59 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 4,090 | $39,810 | $38,070 | $47,130 | 0.62 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 6,010 | $38,430 | $35,050 | $60,740 | 1.03 |
| Boulder, CO | 580 | $38,220 | $33,980 | $57,350 | 1.09 |
| Napa, CA | 490 | $38,200 | $36,590 | $52,540 | 2.25 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 460 | $38,120 | $30,120 | $63,440 | 1.05 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 300 | $37,890 | $34,900 | $56,000 | 1.14 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 650 | $37,720 | $35,100 | $47,290 | 1.14 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 830 | $37,100 | $32,260 | $51,450 | 1.03 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 15,340 | $36,920 | $35,000 | $46,060 | 0.88 |
| Salem, OR | 410 | $36,780 | $31,290 | $58,660 | 0.79 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 18,530 | $36,500 | $32,220 | $51,860 | 0.70 |
| Salinas, CA | 610 | $36,380 | $34,460 | $49,170 | 1.18 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 9,270 | $36,360 | $30,490 | $45,240 | 1.06 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 1,130 | $36,350 | $30,800 | $46,910 | 1.29 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 5,320 | $36,340 | $30,800 | $58,360 | 1.19 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 4,720 | $36,140 | $35,000 | $45,160 | 1.10 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 330 | $36,030 | $34,650 | $49,190 | 0.91 |
| Bellingham, WA | 300 | $35,970 | $34,680 | $54,810 | 1.20 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 360 | $35,780 | $34,650 | $48,480 | 0.99 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 630 | $35,740 | $33,150 | $47,190 | 0.84 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 620 | $35,730 | $34,650 | $49,490 | 0.87 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 700 | $35,620 | $34,360 | $45,950 | 1.25 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 570 | $35,380 | $34,320 | $45,980 | 1.67 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 930 | $35,370 | $34,320 | $45,280 | 1.03 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 330 | $35,340 | $30,580 | $45,150 | 1.79 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 2,300 | $35,330 | $34,320 | $46,590 | 0.77 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 910 | $35,270 | $34,290 | $42,390 | 0.81 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 10,580 | $35,140 | $31,200 | $42,290 | 1.41 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 8,090 | $35,080 | $30,800 | $47,060 | 1.22 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 480 | $35,070 | $34,320 | $43,890 | 0.59 |
| Modesto, CA | 420 | $35,030 | $34,480 | $43,580 | 0.78 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 610 | $34,890 | $30,800 | $49,290 | 1.29 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 680 | $34,870 | $31,200 | $43,160 | 2.60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 4,330 | $34,830 | $34,320 | $44,460 | 0.91 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 400 | $34,830 | $32,220 | $39,440 | 0.59 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 490 | $34,660 | $34,320 | $43,350 | 0.52 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 920 | $34,560 | $32,240 | $47,820 | 0.73 |
| Bozeman, MT | 310 | $34,440 | $25,800 | $37,070 | 1.56 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 3,590 | $34,320 | $31,200 | $36,740 | 0.95 |
| Fresno, CA | 790 | $34,320 | $34,320 | $43,490 | 0.60 |
| New Haven, CT | 500 | $34,210 | $34,010 | $44,680 | 0.64 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 1,390 | $34,010 | $34,010 | $44,880 | 0.83 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | 520 | $34,010 | $34,010 | $42,450 | 1.48 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 1,050 | $34,000 | $32,220 | $43,790 | 2.24 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 1,030 | $33,960 | $28,440 | $44,030 | 2.13 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 1,300 | $33,860 | $32,240 | $45,990 | 0.88 |
| Rochester, NY | 1,030 | $33,750 | $32,240 | $42,570 | 0.75 |
| Worcester, MA | 970 | $33,620 | $31,200 | $39,520 | 1.00 |
| Syracuse, NY | 570 | $33,560 | $32,240 | $43,420 | 0.69 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,190 | $33,560 | $30,580 | $43,720 | 1.10 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 5,640 | $32,950 | $25,150 | $49,700 | 1.78 |
| Medford, OR | 360 | $32,800 | $30,430 | $59,280 | 1.47 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 10,440 | $32,280 | $28,080 | $45,740 | 1.33 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 8,960 | $32,220 | $24,380 | $41,460 | 1.11 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 13,390 | $31,720 | $31,200 | $45,260 | 1.07 |
The median is $31,200 a year ($15.00 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $22,340 and the highest-paid tenth over $43,990 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
432,690 in May 2025, and BLS projects +3.4% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: No formal educational credential (BLS).
Hawaii, with a median of $47,070 (among states with published figures).