SOC 35-9031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — Madison
Madison, WI · 10 metro areas compared
At $29,000, median pay for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Madison, WI tracks the national median of $31,200 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $29,000, median pay for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Madison, WI tracks the national median of $31,200 closely. Pay ranges from under $22,030 at the tenth percentile to more than $37,450 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $25,650 to $35,190.
The area has 860 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.76 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Kenosha records the highest median at $28,840. Of the 534 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 528th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,030 | −29.4% |
| 25th | $25,650 | −17.8% |
| Median (50th) | $29,000 | −7.1% |
| 75th | $35,190 | +12.8% |
| 90th | $37,450 | +20.0% |
| Mean | $30,420 | −2.5% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenosha | $28,840 | 190 | |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $28,010 | 1,960 | |
| 3 | Oshkosh | $28,010 | 180 | |
| 4 | Eau Claire | $27,970 | 220 | |
| 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 Madison run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $29,000 goes as far as $30,818 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,000as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,818US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,000 a year, 7.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,030 to $37,450 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 860 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kenosha, at $28,840.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Madison, WI?
The median annual wage is $29,000, or $13.94 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 Madison, WI is 7.1% 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 Madison, WI earns more than $37,450 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,030 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 Kenosha, at $28,840 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 860 jobs in this occupation in Madison, 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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