SOC 35-9031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI · 10 metro areas compared
In Eau Claire, WI the median wage is $27,970.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Eau Claire, WI the median wage is $27,970. That is 10.4% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay ranges from under $20,800 at the tenth percentile to more than $37,700 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $22,130 to $33,890.
The area has 220 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.92 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Madison records the highest median at $29,000. Of the 305 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 301st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,800 | −33.3% |
| 25th | $22,130 | −29.1% |
| Median (50th) | $27,970 | −10.4% |
| 75th | $33,890 | +8.6% |
| 90th | $37,700 | +20.8% |
| Mean | $29,040 | −6.9% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madison | $29,000 | 860 | |
| 2 | Kenosha | $28,840 | 190 | |
| 3 | Milwaukee | $28,010 | 1,960 | |
| 4 | Oshkosh | $28,010 | 180 | |
| 5 | Appleton | $27,870 | 300 | |
| 6 | Sheboygan | $27,850 | 100 | |
| 7 | Green Bay | $27,620 | 390 | |
| 8 | La Crosse | $27,460 | 230 | |
| 9 | Fond du Lac | $27,350 | 70 | |
| 10 | Wausau | $27,340 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eau Claire run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $27,970 goes as far as $29,724 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$27,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,724US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $27,970 a year, 10.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $20,800 to $37,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 220 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Madison, at $29,000.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Eau Claire, WI?
The median annual wage is $27,970, or $13.45 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $31,200, so pay in Eau Claire, WI is 10.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Eau Claire, WI earns more than $37,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $20,800 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Madison, at $29,000 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 220 jobs in this occupation in Eau Claire, WI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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