Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Arkansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arkansas Median
$26,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$12.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#45 of 51
3,110 employed here

How much do Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop make in Arkansas?

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Arkansas take home a median of $26,760 annually — roughly $12.87 an hour — which runs 14% below the national median of $31,200.

Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $23,460 while the top 10% make $33,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $24,380 and $28,890 a year.

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary range in Arkansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$23,460$11.28
25th percentile (early career)$24,380$11.72
50th percentile (median)$26,760$12.87
75th percentile (experienced)$28,890$13.89
90th percentile (top earners)$33,560$16.13

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$47,070
2Oregon$40,720
3District of Columbia$37,570
4Washington$37,270
5Maine$36,800

Working as Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Arkansas

Nationally, about 433,000 people work as Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Arkansas pay ($26,760) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop make in Arkansas?
The median Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary in Arkansas is $26,760 per year, or about $12.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,460 at the entry level to $33,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop about 14% less than the national median of $31,200. Arkansas ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $26,760 a year. About 3,110 Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop are employed in Arkansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary report

Related salaries

Food Server, Nonrestaurant

$35,360
median pay · 294,000 employed

Cook, Fast Food

$30,890
median pay · 641,000 employed

Cook, Short Order

$35,880
median pay · 139,000 employed

Cook, Restaurant

$37,390
median pay · 1,410,000 employed

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

$37,450
median pay · 441,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.