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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$28,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $31,200
State Rank
#33 of 51
15,160 employed here

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

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $28,320 per year, or about $13.62 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $31,200 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $19,100 while the top 10% make $36,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $22,530 and $32,600 a year.

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$19,100$9.18
25th percentile (early career)$22,530$10.83
50th percentile (median)$28,320$13.62
75th percentile (experienced)$32,600$15.67
90th percentile (top earners)$36,460$17.53

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 33rd 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($28,320) 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 North Carolina?
The median Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary in North Carolina is $28,320 per year, or about $13.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $19,100 at the entry level to $36,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop about 9% less than the national median of $31,200. North Carolina ranks 33rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,320 a year. About 15,160 Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.