Host/Hostess: career path and pay in the US
Where a Host/Hostess goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Host / Hostess to Front of House Manager / Restaurant Manager.
Also for the United Kingdom: Host/Hostess in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
Host / Hostess
$35K to $55K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Food Safety Certification (optional) - Global, Customer Service Certification (optional) - Global.
Step 2 · 2 to 4 years
Senior Host / Lead Host
$75K to $110K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Food Safety Certification - Global, Customer Service Certification - Global.
Step 3 · 4 to 7 years
Host Supervisor / Front of House Coordinator
$85K to $125K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Food Safety Certification - Global, Customer Service Certification - Global, Hospitality Management Certification (optional) - Global.
Step 4 · 7+ years
Front of House Manager / Restaurant Manager
$95K to $140K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Food Safety Certification - Global, Customer Service Certification - Global, Hospitality Management Certification - Global, MBA (optional) - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
76% → 24%
Falls 52 points. Each step is harder to automate than the last. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$35K to $55K → $95K to $140K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. The published figure for Host Supervisor sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it. The published figure for Front of House Manager sat below the previous step, so this band is set 12% above it.
What the work involves
Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Food Production
Education people bring
- Less than a High School Diploma: 42%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED): 29%
- Some College Courses: 16%
Job Zone 2, job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Other paths from here
More Retail/Hospitality paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Waiters and Waitresses, Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers, Food Servers, Nonrestaurant, Fast Food and Counter Workers, Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks.
Your own role
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SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
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. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.