What Does it Take to Be a Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host?
Career Description Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
Life As a Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host
- Prepare cash receipts after establishments close, and make bank deposits.
- Inform patrons of establishment specialties and features.
- Supervise and coordinate activities of dining room staff to ensure that patrons receive prompt and courteous service.
- Assist other restaurant workers by serving food and beverages, or by bussing tables.
- Receive and record patrons' dining reservations.
- Maintain contact with kitchen staff, management, serving staff, and customers to ensure that dining details are handled properly and customers' concerns are addressed.
Featured schools near , edit
Things a Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host Should Know How to Do
Below is a list of the skills most Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Hosts say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Dining Room Host/Hostess
- Dining Room Host
- Bar Host/Hostess
- Hospitality Coordinator
- Tearoom Hostess
Job Demand for Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Hosts
In the United States, there were 409,200 jobs for Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 28,300 new jobs for Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 97,900 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host are Washington, Utah, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, West Virginia, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host Make?
The average yearly salary of a Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host ranges between $17,410 and $30,590.

Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Hosts who work in Hawaii, District of Columbia, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Hosts make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $19,180 |
Alaska | $24,780 |
Arizona | $24,870 |
Arkansas | $20,350 |
California | $26,850 |
Colorado | $25,450 |
Connecticut | $25,700 |
Delaware | $19,850 |
District of Columbia | $30,420 |
Florida | $24,110 |
Georgia | $19,800 |
Hawaii | $32,050 |
Idaho | $21,040 |
Illinois | $23,560 |
Indiana | $20,050 |
Iowa | $20,010 |
Kansas | $18,610 |
Kentucky | $19,610 |
Louisiana | $19,840 |
Maine | $23,700 |
Maryland | $24,050 |
Massachusetts | $28,440 |
Michigan | $21,460 |
Minnesota | $24,450 |
Mississippi | $19,010 |
Missouri | $19,980 |
Montana | $19,780 |
Nebraska | $22,760 |
Nevada | $27,120 |
New Hampshire | $22,800 |
New Jersey | $24,280 |
New Mexico | $21,070 |
New York | $28,400 |
North Carolina | $20,110 |
North Dakota | $21,860 |
Ohio | $20,390 |
Oklahoma | $19,890 |
Oregon | $25,130 |
Pennsylvania | $21,790 |
Rhode Island | $24,610 |
South Carolina | $20,460 |
South Dakota | $21,670 |
Tennessee | $19,580 |
Texas | $21,220 |
Utah | $21,680 |
Vermont | $25,960 |
Virginia | $21,180 |
Washington | $29,130 |
West Virginia | $20,630 |
Wisconsin | $20,250 |
Wyoming | $23,310 |
What Tools do Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Hosts Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Hosts may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Windows
- Point of sale POS software
- iMagic Restaurant Reservation
- Hospitality Control Solutions Aloha Point-of-Sale
Becoming a Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host
Learn what Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become a Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host?

Where Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Hosts Work

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers
Career changers with experience as a Restaurant, Lounge, or Coffee Shop Host sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |