Career Overview
Welcome patrons, seat them at tables or in lounge, and help ensure quality of facilities and service.
Also Known As
- Greeter
- Hospitality Coordinator
- Host
- Hostess
Alternate Job Titles
- Bar Host
- Bar Hostess
- Breakfast Host
- Buffet Hostess
- Deli Host (Delicatessen Host)
- Dining Coordinator
- Dining Room Host
- Dining Room Hostess
- Front Desk Host
- Front Desk Hostess
- General Teller
- Greeter
- Hospitality Coordinator
- Host
- Host Coordinator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Provide guests with menus.
- Greet guests and seat them at tables or in waiting areas.
- Maintain contact with kitchen staff, management, serving staff, and customers to ensure that dining details are handled properly and customers' concerns are addressed.
- Assign patrons to tables suitable for their needs and according to rotation so that servers receive an appropriate number of seatings.
- Speak with patrons to ensure satisfaction with food and service, to respond to complaints, or to make conversation.
- Inspect dining and serving areas to ensure cleanliness and proper setup.
- Supervise and coordinate activities of dining room staff to ensure that patrons receive prompt and courteous service.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Time Sharing
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Optimism
- Dependability
- Empathy
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Windows
Tools & Equipment
- Carbonated beverage dispensers
- Cash registers
- Commercial coffeemakers
- Desktop computers
- Handheld calculators
- Ice-making machines
- Juice dispensers
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Point of sale POS computer terminals
- Touch screen monitors
Work Environment
- Spend Time Standing
- Contact With Others
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $22,010 |
| Median | $30,380 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $42,600 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 427,150
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Waiters and Waitresses
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $33,760
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $32,670
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,460
Fast Food and Counter Workers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $30,480
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,270
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.