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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$34,050
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#13 of 51
9,420 employed here

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

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in New Jersey take home a median of $34,050 annually — roughly $16.37 an hour — which runs 9% above the national median of $31,200.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $32,220 while the top 10% make $43,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,220 and $36,490 a year.

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary range in New Jersey

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,220$15.49
25th percentile (early career)$32,220$15.49
50th percentile (median)$34,050$16.37
75th percentile (experienced)$36,490$17.54
90th percentile (top earners)$43,160$20.75

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 13th 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($34,050) 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 New Jersey?
The median Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary in New Jersey is $34,050 per year, or about $16.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,220 at the entry level to $43,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop about 9% more than the national median of $31,200. New Jersey ranks 13th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $34,050 a year. About 9,420 Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.