Bar host vs server and hostess

The differences between bar hosts and server and hostesses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a server and hostess has an average salary of $28,020, which is higher than the $24,113 average annual salary of a bar host.

The top three skills for a bar host include reservations, wine and guest satisfaction. The most important skills for a server and hostess are POS, food preparation, and food orders.

Bar host vs server and hostess overview

	Bar Host	Server And Hostess
Yearly salary	$24,113	$28,020
Hourly rate	$11.59	$13.47
Growth rate	9%	10%
Number of jobs	82,035	97,109
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	High School Diploma, 39%
Average age	23	28
Years of experience	-	-

Bar host vs server and hostess salary

Bar hosts and server and hostesses have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Bar Host	Server And Hostess
Average salary	$24,113	$28,020
Salary range	Between $18,000 And $31,000	Between $21,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	-	Binghamton, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Blue Dolphin Energy
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between bar host and server and hostess education

There are a few differences between a bar host and a server and hostess in terms of educational background:

	Bar Host	Server And Hostess
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	High School Diploma, 39%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Bar host vs server and hostess demographics

Here are the differences between bar hosts' and server and hostesses' demographics:

	Bar Host	Server And Hostess
Average age	23	28
Gender ratio	Male, 71.1% Female, 28.9%	Male, 18.3% Female, 81.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 7.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 5.8% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 8.2% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	5%	6%

Differences between bar host and server and hostess duties and responsibilities

Bar host example responsibilities.

Assist guests in booking reservations and manage guest history data using OpenTable reservation system.
Provide guests with an excellent dining experience by asking questions about allergies or preferences and initiating conversation for customer confidence.
Build relationships with guests -help prepare for restaurant opening -Maintain restaurant at all times -Persuasive- positive use of upselling techniques

Server and hostess example responsibilities.

Assist guests in booking reservations and manage guest history data using OpenTable reservation system.
Provide quality customer service, process customer transactions utilizing proprietary POS system, skillfully handle cash and credit card transactions.
Perform bartending duties during busy events or whenever require.
Coordinate with kitchen managerial staff using POS systems to ensure timely and accurate order preparation.
Provide guests with an excellent dining experience by asking questions about allergies or preferences and initiating conversation for customer confidence.
Manage expediter window paying close attention to garnishes and presentation.

Bar host vs server and hostess skills

Common bar host skills

Reservations, 24%
Wine, 10%
Guest Satisfaction, 7%
POS, 7%
Cleanliness, 7%
Fine Dining, 6%

Common server and hostess skills

POS, 11%
Food Preparation, 10%
Food Orders, 9%
Customer Orders, 7%
Customer Service, 6%
Drink Orders, 5%

Bar Host vs. similar jobs

Bar Host related careers

Bar Host related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Food Preparation and Restaurant Industry
Bar Host
Bar Host vs Server And Hostess

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs