Hostess vs server and hostess

The differences between hostesses 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 $26,298 average annual salary of a hostess.

The top three skills for a hostess include reservations, exceptional guest and seat guests. The most important skills for a server and hostess are POS, food preparation, and food orders.

Hostess vs server and hostess overview

	Hostess	Server And Hostess
Yearly salary	$26,298	$28,020
Hourly rate	$12.64	$13.47
Growth rate	9%	10%
Number of jobs	82,629	97,109
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 39%
Average age	23	28
Years of experience	-	-

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.

What does a server and hostess do?

A server and hostess is an employee who plays the dual role of both a hostess and a server. As implied by this, a server and hostess is in-charge of welcoming guests as they enter the restaurant, ensuring that the guests' tables are ready before leading them to their assigned tables, handing over the menu, and waiting for the guests to finalize their order. Once the guests are ready to order, the server and hostess takes on the server role by bringing the guests' order to the kitchen, waiting for the food to be ready, and bringing the food to the guests' table.

Hostess vs server and hostess salary

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

	Hostess	Server And Hostess
Average salary	$26,298	$28,020
Salary range	Between $20,000 And $34,000	Between $21,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Portland, ME	Binghamton, NY
Highest paying state	Maine	New York
Best paying company	V-Soft Consulting	Blue Dolphin Energy
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Hospitality

Differences between hostess and server and hostess education

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

	Hostess	Server And Hostess
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 39%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Hostess vs server and hostess demographics

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

	Hostess	Server And Hostess
Average age	23	28
Gender ratio	Male, 14.1% Female, 85.9%	Male, 18.3% Female, 81.7%
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, 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 hostess and server and hostess duties and responsibilities

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.

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.

Hostess vs server and hostess skills

Common hostess skills

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

Common server and hostess skills

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

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Hostess vs Server And Hostess

Updated January 8, 2025

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