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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$36,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#6 of 51
41,100 employed here

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

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop working in California earn a median salary of $36,640 per year, or about $17.62 per hour. That is 17% above the national median of $31,200 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $34,360 while the top 10% make $46,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,200 and $42,860 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,360$16.52
25th percentile (early career)$35,200$16.92
50th percentile (median)$36,640$17.62
75th percentile (experienced)$42,860$20.61
90th percentile (top earners)$46,060$22.14

How California compares

California ranks 6th 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 California

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 California pay ($36,640) 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 California?
The median Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary in California is $36,640 per year, or about $17.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,360 at the entry level to $46,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop about 17% more than the national median of $31,200. California ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,640 a year. About 41,100 Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

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

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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.