How to become a Host or Hostess
Official title: Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
Also called: Buffet Hostess, Dining Coordinator, Greeter, Host, Host Coordinator, Hostess, Private Dining Coordinator, Seater
Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
Main tasks
- Provide guests with menus.
- Greet guests and seat them at tables or in waiting areas.
- Maintain contact with kitchen staff, management, serving staff, and customers to ensure that dining details are handled properly and customers' concerns are addressed.
- Assign patrons to tables suitable for their needs and according to rotation so that servers receive an appropriate number of seatings.
- Speak with patrons to ensure satisfaction with food and service, to respond to complaints, or to make conversation.
- Inspect dining and serving areas to ensure cleanliness and proper setup.
- Supervise and coordinate activities of dining room staff to ensure that patrons receive prompt and courteous service.
- Answer telephone calls and respond to inquiries or transfer calls.
How to become one
Food and beverage serving and related workers typically have no requirements for formal education or work experience to enter the occupation. They learn their skills on the job.
Typical education to start: No formal educational credential
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Licence: A licence is required in 6 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $31,200 a year The middle half earn $27,570 to $36,250.
- About 444,200 people work in this job now, and about 459,500 are projected by 2035. (+3.4%)
- People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Host or Hostess?
Food and beverage serving and related workers typically have no requirements for formal education or work experience to enter the occupation. They learn their skills on the job.
How much does a Host or Hostess earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $31,200 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $27,570 to $36,250.
Is a Host or Hostess a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 3% by 2035, from about 444,200 to about 459,500 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Host or Hostess?
Not always. 25% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Host or Hostess?
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.