Hostess Vs Party Host

The differences between hostesses and party hosts 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 $25,777 average annual salary of a party host.

The top three skills for a hostess include reservations, exceptional guest and seat guests. The most important skills for a party host are kids, CPR, and team work.

Hostess vs party host overview

HostessParty Host
Yearly Salary$26,298$25,777
Hourly rate$12.64$12.39
Growth Rate9%9%
Number Of Jobs82,62910,198
Job Satisfaction43
Most Common DegreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 38%
Average Age2323
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 party host do?

A party host or hostess is an individual who is hired, usually by organizations, to host or run a party or other social functions on their behalf. To work as a party host or hostess, you should be a people-person, a good communicator who can think on your feet, and a good planner. Party hosts and hostesses are akin to masters of ceremonies in social functions whose role is to provide an enjoyable atmosphere for those attending an event.

Hostess vs party host salary

Hostesses and party hosts have different pay scales, as shown below.

HostessParty Host
Average Salary$26,298$25,777
Salary RangeBetween $20,000 And $34,000Between $19,000 And $34,000
Highest Paying CityPortland, MESyracuse, NY
Highest Paying StateMaineVermont
Best Paying CompanyV-Soft ConsultingActive Wellness
Best Paying IndustryHospitalityManufacturing

Differences between hostess and party host education

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

HostessParty Host
Most Common DegreeHigh School Diploma, 37%High School Diploma, 38%
Most Common MajorBusinessBusiness
Most Common College--

Hostess vs party host demographics

Here are the differences between hostesses' and party hosts' demographics:

HostessParty Host
Average Age2323
Gender RatioMale, 14.1% Female, 85.9%Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6%
Race RatioBlack 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, 10.3% Unknown, 6.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 5.5% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between hostess and party host 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.
  • Show More

Party Host Example Responsibilities.

  • Manage party reservations in efficient manner.
  • Assist in preparing information need for Medicare and Medicaid cost reporting.
  • Oversee new and existing Medicaid enrollment accounts.
  • Paint faces of children and adults perform in costumes at events.
  • Develop and create costumes and makeup sketches for multiple plays and musicals.
  • Generate Medicaid billing and input NYS OASAS reports, maintaining accuracy and compliance.
  • Show More

Hostess vs party host skills

Common Hostess Skills
  • Reservations, 49%
  • Exceptional Guest, 9%
  • Seat Guests, 4%
  • To-Go Orders, 4%
  • Bus Tables, 3%
  • Telephone Calls, 2%
Common Party Host Skills
  • Kids, 40%
  • CPR, 28%
  • Team Work, 14%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • POS, 2%
  • Front Desk, 2%

Browse food preparation and restaurant jobs