Host/hostess demographics and statistics in the US
Host/hostess demographics research summary. Zippia estimates host/hostess demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our host/hostess estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about host/hostesses after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 326,285 host/hostesses currently employed in the United States.
- 82.8% of all host/hostesses are women, while 17.2% are men.
- The average host/hostess age is 22 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of host/hostesses is White (54.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (21.4%), Black or African American (10.7%) and Unknown (6.9%).
- Host/hostesses are most in-demand in New York, NY.
- The media industry is the highest-paying for host/hostesses.
- Urban Honolulu, HI pays an annual average wage of $28,590, the highest in the US.
- In 2022, women host/hostesses earned 99% of what men earned.
- 5% of all host/hostesses are LGBT.
- Nevada is the best state for host/hostesses to live.
- Host/hostesses are 71% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
On this page
Host/hostess demographics by:
Host/hostess gender statistics
82.8% of host/hostesses are women and 17.2% of host/hostesses are men.
- Female, 82.8%
- Male, 17.2%
Host/hostess gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Female | 82.8% |
| Male | 17.2% |
Host/hostess gender pay gap
Women earn 99¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$27,833
Female income
$27,667
Host/hostess gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in host/hostess positions over time. Currently, 82.8% of host/hostesses are female.
Host/hostess gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 12.80% | 87.20% |
| 2011 | 13.34% | 86.66% |
| 2012 | 14.93% | 85.07% |
| 2013 | 16.31% | 83.69% |
| 2014 | 12.85% | 87.15% |
| 2015 | 17.14% | 82.86% |
| 2016 | 16.86% | 83.14% |
| 2017 | 18.06% | 81.94% |
| 2018 | 17.11% | 82.89% |
| 2019 | 18.18% | 81.82% |
| 2020 | 16.81% | 83.19% |
| 2021 | 17.20% | 82.80% |
Host/hostess related jobs gender ratio
We compared host/hostesses with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, banquet houseman and bus boy have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Lunchroom Worker | 4% | 96% |
| Lead Hostess | 6% | 94% |
| Dining Room Hostess | 7% | 93% |
| Host/Hostess | 17% | 83% |
| Preacher | 92% | 8% |
| Bus Boy | 95% | 5% |
| Banquet Houseman | 97% | 3% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Host/hostess demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among host/hostesses is White, which makes up 54.6% of all host/hostesses. Comparatively, 21.4% of host/hostesses are Hispanic or Latino and 10.7% of host/hostesses are Black or African American.
- White, 54.6%
- Hispanic or Latino, 21.4%
- Black or African American, 10.7%
- Unknown, 6.9%
- Asian, 6.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
Host/hostess race
| Host/hostess race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 54.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 21.4% |
| Black or African American | 10.7% |
| Unknown | 6.9% |
| Asian | 6.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.4% |
Host/hostess race and ethnicity over time
See how host/hostess racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Host/hostess race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 62.73% | 10.84% | 5.12% | 18.46% |
| 2011 | 62.37% | 12.07% | 6.07% | 16.13% |
| 2012 | 61.35% | 11.99% | 5.59% | 17.36% |
| 2013 | 62.51% | 12.06% | 5.13% | 17.42% |
| 2014 | 58.73% | 12.51% | 6.21% | 19.09% |
| 2015 | 57.36% | 11.62% | 5.37% | 21.48% |
| 2016 | 58.62% | 12.50% | 5.64% | 19.14% |
| 2017 | 57.90% | 11.84% | 5.91% | 20.29% |
| 2018 | 59.65% | 11.62% | 5.85% | 19.14% |
| 2019 | 57.75% | 11.58% | 5.89% | 20.41% |
| 2020 | 53.86% | 12.24% | 6.58% | 20.75% |
| 2021 | 54.64% | 10.66% | 5.98% | 21.39% |
Host/hostess wage gap by race
According to our data, hispanic or latino host/hostesses have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Black or african american host/hostesses have the lowest average salary at $27,224.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $27,831 |
| White | $27,800 |
| Black or African American | $27,224 |
| Asian | $28,054 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $28,266 |
Average host/hostess age
See how the average age of host/hostesses varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Host/hostess age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 19 | |
| White | 20 | 19 |
| Black or African American | 23 | 20 |
| Asian | 19 | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 20 | 20 |
Host/hostess age breakdown
The average age of host/hostesses is 20-30 years years old, representing 40% of the host/hostess population.
Host/hostess age breakdown
| Host/Hostess Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 7% |
| 30-40 years | 5% |
| 20-30 years | 40% |
Host/hostess educational attainment
The most common degree for host/hostesses is high school diploma, with 42% of host/hostesses earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 24% and bachelor's degree degree at 20%.
- High School Diploma, 42%
- Bachelor's, 24%
- Associate, 20%
- Diploma, 8%
- Other Degrees, 6%
Host/hostesses by degree level
| Host/hostess degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 42% |
| Bachelor's | 24% |
| Associate | 20% |
| Diploma | 8% |
| Other Degrees | 6% |
Host/hostess jobs you might like
Host/hostess wage gap by degree level
According to the data, host/hostesses with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $27,999 annually. With a High School Diploma degree, host/hostesses earn a median annual income of $26,540 compared to $26,039 for host/hostesses with an Associate degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $26,540 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $27,999 |
| No Education | $25,060 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $26,039 |
Host/hostess employment statistics
Most host/hostesses work for a private in the hospitality industry.
Company size where host/hostesses work
Below, you can see the size of companies where host/hostesses work.
Host/hostess jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 5% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 13% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 22% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 8% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 25% |
| > 10,000 employees | 27% |
Host/hostess jobs by company type
Employees with the host/hostess job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most host/hostesses prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Host/hostess jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 1% |
| Public | 27% |
| Private | 71% |
| Government | 1% |
Host/hostess jobs by industry
The most common industries for host/hostesses are hospitality, health care and professional.
Host/hostess industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Hospitality | 57% |
| Health Care | 7% |
| Fortune 500 | 6% |
| Professional | 6% |
| Retail | 5% |
| Media | 4% |
| Manufacturing | 3% |
| Real Estate | 3% |
| Transportation | 1% |
| Start-up | 1% |
| Non Profits | 1% |
| Construction | 1% |
| Education | 1% |
| Internet | 1% |
| Technology | 1% |
| Energy | 1% |
Host/hostess turnover and employment statistics
Host/hostess unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for host/hostesses between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Host/hostess unemployment rate by year
| Year | Host/hostess unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 12.15% |
| 2011 | 11.50% |
| 2012 | 11.62% |
| 2013 | 10.81% |
| 2014 | 9.30% |
| 2015 | 9.29% |
| 2016 | 9.26% |
| 2017 | 8.28% |
| 2018 | 7.56% |
| 2019 | 6.78% |
| 2020 | 14.94% |
| 2021 | 11.34% |
Average host/hostess tenure
The average host/hostess stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 1,247 host/hostesses resumes in Zippia's database.
Host/hostess tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 50% |
| 1-2 years | 30% |
| 3-4 years | 6% |
| 5-7 years | 10% |
| 8-10 years | 2% |
| 11+ years | 2% |
Host/hostess LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of host/hostesses that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Cafe Helper | 4.16% | 14,408 |
| Dish Machine Operator | 5.37% | 88,583 |
| Host/Hostess | 5.40% | - |
| Food Service Aide | 6.78% | 96,923 |
| Cook And Waitress/Waiter | 7.02% | 268,608 |
| Mixologist | 7.68% | 53,872 |
| Shift Leader | 8.43% | 229,485 |
Similar host/hostess jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Cafe Helper | 4.16% | 14,408 |
| Dish Machine Operator | 5.37% | 88,583 |
| Food Service Aide | 6.78% | 96,923 |
| Cook And Waitress/Waiter | 7.02% | 268,608 |
| Mixologist | 7.68% | 53,872 |
| Shift Leader | 8.43% | 229,485 |
Foreign languages spoken by host/hostesses
The most common foreign language among host/hostesses is Spanish at 58.5%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 9.4% and Portuguese is the third-most popular at 5.7%.
- Spanish, 58.5%
- French, 9.4%
- Portuguese, 5.7%
- Italian, 5.7%
- Chinese, 1.9%
- Other, 18.8%
Host/hostess languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 58.5% |
| French | 9.4% |
| Portuguese | 5.7% |
| Italian | 5.7% |
| Chinese | 1.9% |
| Other | 18.8% |
