Front desk host vs hostess

The differences between front desk hosts and hostesses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a front desk host has an average salary of $31,080, which is higher than the $26,298 average annual salary of a hostess.

The top three skills for a front desk host include front desk, cleanliness and greeting guests. The most important skills for a hostess are reservations, exceptional guest, and seat guests.

Front desk host vs hostess overview

	Front Desk Host	Hostess
Yearly salary	$31,080	$26,298
Hourly rate	$14.94	$12.64
Growth rate	-	9%
Number of jobs	69,194	82,629
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	High School Diploma, 37%
Average age	37	23
Years of experience	-	-

What does a front desk host do?

The front desk host is responsible for welcoming guests upon arrival. As the host, you will be required to oversee the operation of the front office. You'll manage the shifts and generally provide administrative support to hotel management. You will greet guests with enthusiasm and in a welcoming manner, seat customers, and sometimes take orders. A front desk host takes actions to correct problems, answer questions, interact with guests professionally, and complete customer transactions swiftly and with efficiency.

What does a hostess do?

Hostesses are responsible for managing guests who come to the restaurant. They greet guests, ensure that the guests have tables ready before letting them into the restaurant floor, guide the guests to their assigned tables, and introduce the guests to the waiter assigned to the table. Hostesses also manage the reservation list, often manning the restaurant's reservation hotline. They also control the entry of guests, answer any query that guests may have, and take note of any special requests. Hostesses ensure that guests have the best possible restaurant experience.

Front desk host vs hostess salary

Front desk hosts and hostesses have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Front Desk Host	Hostess
Average salary	$31,080	$26,298
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $37,000	Between $20,000 And $34,000
Highest paying City	-	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	-	Maine
Best paying company	-	V-Soft Consulting
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between front desk host and hostess education

There are a few differences between a front desk host and a hostess in terms of educational background:

	Front Desk Host	Hostess
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	High School Diploma, 37%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Front desk host vs hostess demographics

Here are the differences between front desk hosts' and hostesses' demographics:

	Front Desk Host	Hostess
Average age	37	23
Gender ratio	Male, 42.1% Female, 57.9%	Male, 14.1% Female, 85.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 11.0% White, 49.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 6.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 5.8% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	13%	5%

Differences between front desk host and hostess duties and responsibilities

Front desk host example responsibilities.

Manage patients records by keeping all medical history, insurance and personal information update and verify abiding by HIPAA protocols.
Skil with scanners and cash registers, particularly POS machines.
Review arrivals, noting special requests and blocking rooms as necessary for VIP members and group check-ins.
Cashier, operate POS system, fax, handle multiple phone lines, and transfer calls to appropriate division.
Serve as resource for guests: make reservations and answer any questions in person, over the phone or via e-mail.
Coordinate all daily incoming calls and assist customers with reservations and room location.

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Hostess example responsibilities.

Assist guests in booking reservations and manage guest history data using OpenTable reservation system.
Welcome guests upon arrival and provide seating arrangements base upon OpenTable reservations and guest preference.
Greet by name and escort patrons to their personalize private dining area while coordinating reservations and exemplifying customer service
Help bar back when need and learned minimal skills in bartending.
Make managers aware of guests' special dining requirements and allergies.
Set up and maintain continental breakfast buffet, hors d'oeuvres and VIP bar.

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Front desk host vs hostess skills

Common front desk host skills

Front Desk, 32%
Cleanliness, 17%
Greeting Guests, 12%
Hotel Services, 7%
Front Door, 7%
Merchandise Sales, 6%

Common hostess skills

Reservations, 49%
Exceptional Guest, 9%
Seat Guests, 4%
To-Go Orders, 4%
Bus Tables, 3%
Telephone Calls, 2%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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