Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
Also known as: Bar Host, Bar Hostess, Breakfast Host, Buffet Hostess, Deli Host (Delicatessen Host), Dining Coordinator, Dining Room Host, Dining Room Hostess, ...
Annual Salary
Median annual wage (May 2024)
Job Outlook
Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)
What You'd Do
- Provide guests with menus.
- Greet guests and seat them at tables or in waiting areas.
- 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.
- Inform patrons of establishment specialties and features.
- Supervise and coordinate activities of dining room staff to ensure that patrons receive prompt and courteous service.
- 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.
- Answer telephone calls and respond to inquiries or transfer calls.
- Inspect dining and serving areas to ensure cleanliness and proper setup.
- Inspect restrooms for cleanliness and availability of supplies, and clean restrooms when necessary.
- Take and prepare to-go orders.
- Assist other restaurant workers by serving food and beverages, or by bussing tables.
- Direct patrons to coatrooms and waiting areas, such as lounges.
- Operate cash registers to accept payments for food and beverages.
- Prepare cash receipts after establishments close, and make bank deposits.
- Order or requisition supplies and equipment for tables and serving stations.
- Hire, train, and supervise food and beverage service staff.
- Confer with other staff to help plan establishments' menus.
- Perform marketing and advertising services.
Top Skills
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Knowledge Areas
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level
Technology & Tools
Software and tools commonly used in this role
In-Demand Technologies
Other Tools
Work Styles
Personality traits and work styles important for this career
Key Abilities
Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Activities
General types of job behaviors occurring on this job
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Environment
Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work
Related Careers
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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.