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How to hire an event host

Event host hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring event hosts in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire an event host is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new event host to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire an event host, step by step

To hire an event host, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire an event host:

Here's a step-by-step event host hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an event host job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new event host
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an event host do?

An event host utilizes their organizational and people skills in making guests feel comfortable at various events and places. Most of their time is spent standing up and walking to greet and assist guests, facilitate programs and activities, answer inquiries, and supervise staff and other services. In some situations, an event host may participate in organizing the events, from planning to execution. They typically meet with clients to identify their needs and preferences, reach out to vendors and suppliers, book venues and caterers, and resolve issues should any arise.

Learn more about the specifics of what an event host does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring an event host, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect event host also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list presents event host salaries for various positions.

    Type of Event HostDescriptionHourly rate
    Event HostFood and beverage serving and related workers perform a variety of customer service, food preparation, and cleaning duties in restaurants, cafeterias, and other eating and drinking establishments.$10-18
    Host/HostessIn a restaurant setting, a host/hostess serves as the clients' primary point of contact as they enter the premises. They mostly greet and welcome clients, process reservations, and assist by escorting them to their tables, providing them menus, and responding to any inquiries or concerns... Show more$9-15
    Event InternshipEvents interns work directly with development staff to help event coordinators in event planning and promotion. They have varied responsibilities that include communicating with vendors to move event logistics, attending meetings of the planning committee as needed, and organizing and purchasing materials and supplies... Show more$11-17
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Reservations
    • Customer Service
    • TIP
    • Corporate Events
    • POS
    • Event Space
    • VIP
    • Excellent Guest
    • Sky
    • Private Events
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Group Events
    • Host Events
    • Guest Satisfaction
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage guest lists and VIP areas with emphasis on strategic placement design to boost company profile and maximize profit.
    • Manage party reservations in efficient manner.
    • Manage servers and tables to ensure and safeguard efficient restaurant operations.
    • Host club-sponsore events by helping plan events, waiting tables and bartending.
    • Help the kids with bowling and laser tag, serve pizza for the children, and serve food/alcohol for the adults.
    • Complete CPR and a certification.
    More event host duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the event host job description is a good way to get more applicants. An event host salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for an event host in South Carolina may be lower than in Vermont, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level event host. Additionally, an event host with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average event host salary

    $14.05hourly

    $29,232 yearly

    Entry-level event host salary
    $21,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 20, 2026

    Average event host salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$33,929$16
    2Minnesota$32,522$16
    3Michigan$31,690$15
    4Wisconsin$31,522$15
    5Illinois$30,154$15
    6California$29,721$14
    7Maryland$29,318$14
    8Ohio$29,167$14
    9Washington$28,947$14
    10Utah$28,409$14
    11Colorado$28,301$14
    12Virginia$28,082$14
    13North Carolina$27,304$13
    14Tennessee$27,202$13
    15Texas$27,164$13
    16Alabama$26,855$13
    17Georgia$26,824$13
    18Florida$26,052$13

    Average event host salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1BD$44,734$21.51
    2Bay Head Yacht Club$41,183$19.80
    3Worthington Industries$40,394$19.42
    4AEG$40,097$19.282
    5Lockheed Martin$39,832$19.15
    6Wayfair$38,021$18.282
    7Sentry$37,637$18.093
    8McMenamins Pubs & Breweries$36,291$17.45
    9Pactiv$35,762$17.19
    10Quad$35,291$16.97
    11C&S Wholesale Grocers$35,155$16.90
    12Hyatt Hotels$34,772$16.7276
    13Caterpillar$34,661$16.66
    14Amazon$34,524$16.6011
    15Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center$33,834$16.27
    16GlobalFoundries$33,307$16.01
    17Paychex$33,148$15.94
    18Tesla$31,931$15.351
    19Compass Group USA$31,716$15.25126
    20FAT CATS CAFE$31,622$15.201
  4. Writing an event host job description

    A job description for an event host role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an event host job description:

    Event host job description example

    Job Responsibilities
    The Host role is at the forefront of providing an exceptional member service experience. As an important member of our clinic team, the Host assists members with checking in and demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of self-insured employer health insurance, including copays, co-insurance, and related benefits. The Host role facilitates the member's experience throughout our health center.

    Welcomes each member and handles all member interactions with the highest level of hospitality and professionalism.
    Demonstrates a commitment to quality, delivering uncompromised service and outcomes.
    Accommodates special requests for member support whenever possible and helps to promptly resolve member questions.
    Assists with assigned projects and special provider or patient requests.
    Assists with the member check-in process, including a basic understanding of benefit eligibility files, check-in technology and overall clinic workflows within the context of care delivery.
    Processes transactions required to begin or complete the visit.
    Demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of employer-sponsored health insurance, including copays, co-insurance, and related benefit specific requirements, in order to support members.
    Engages with members by answering calls, scheduling appointments, responding to emails, and following up with member needs.
    Collaborates with providers and staff members to deliver an exceptional seamless patient-centered care experience.
    Performs other duties as assigned

    Required Qualifications
    Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
    1 year of experience in customer service position



    Preferred Qualifications
    Excellent computer skills and familiarity with Apple products (Mac, iPad, iPhone), ChromeOS, or client-branded Windows products such as Microsoft or HP.
    Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative care team environment
    Proven organizational skills
    High level of ownership, accountability and initiative
    Experience with multitasking, issue resolution, and conflict management
    Experience in a health care service delivery environment
    BLS (Basic Life Support) certification

    Crossover Health is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran status, disability, history of disability or perceived disability. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may email us at [email protected]

    To all recruitment agencies: We do not accept unsolicited agency resumes and are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

  5. Post your job

    To find event hosts for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any event hosts they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level event hosts with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your event host job on Zippia to find and recruit event host candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting event hosts requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new event host

    Once you've decided on a perfect event host candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire an event host?

There are different types of costs for hiring event hosts. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new event host employee.

The median annual salary for event hosts is $29,232 in the US. However, the cost of event host hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring an event host for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $10 and $18 an hour.

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