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The differences between hostesses and cocktail servers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a hostess has an average salary of $26,298, which is higher than the $26,178 average annual salary of a cocktail server.
The top three skills for a hostess include reservations, exceptional guest and seat guests. The most important skills for a cocktail server are wine, cash handling, and beverage orders.
| Hostess | Cocktail Server | |
| Yearly salary | $26,298 | $26,178 |
| Hourly rate | $12.64 | $12.59 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 82,629 | 74,674 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 23 | 28 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A cocktail server's responsibilities revolve around taking orders and serving drinks in a restaurant or similar establishment, ensuring accuracy and customer satisfaction. Aside from this, a cocktail server may have to process payments, clean tables, and even offer suggestions when necessary. They also have to be alert for any signs of disruptive behavior from intoxicated to underage customers. Furthermore, it is essential to communicate and coordinate with the bartender and other kitchen staff to ensure that every patron gets their order, especially on days when there's a high customer presence.
Hostesses and cocktail servers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Hostess | Cocktail Server | |
| Average salary | $26,298 | $26,178 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $34,000 | Between $16,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, ME | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Washington |
| Best paying company | V-Soft Consulting | Aspen Snowmass |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Media |
There are a few differences between a hostess and a cocktail server in terms of educational background:
| Hostess | Cocktail Server | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between hostesses' and cocktail servers' demographics:
| Hostess | Cocktail Server | |
| Average age | 23 | 28 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.1% Female, 85.9% | Male, 13.0% Female, 87.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 8.1% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |