SOC 35-9031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — Western Wisconsin
Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Western Wisconsin, WI is $26,650 per year, 14.6% below the national median of $31,200.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Western Wisconsin, WI is $26,650 per year, 14.6% below the national median of $31,200. Pay ranges from under $19,100 at the tenth percentile to more than $37,440 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $21,490 to $31,410.
The area has 210 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.6 of every thousand jobs. Madison leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $29,000. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 341st of 346 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,100 | −38.8% |
| 25th | $21,490 | −31.1% |
| Median (50th) | $26,650 | −14.6% |
| 75th | $31,410 | +0.7% |
| 90th | $37,440 | +20.0% |
| Mean | $27,140 | −13.0% |
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 | Eau Claire | $27,970 | 220 | |
| 6 | Appleton | $27,870 | 300 | |
| 7 | Sheboygan | $27,850 | 100 | |
| 8 | Green Bay | $27,620 | 390 | |
| 9 | La Crosse | $27,460 | 230 | |
| 10 | Fond du Lac | $27,350 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $26,650 goes as far as $28,321 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,321US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,650 a year, 14.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $19,100 to $37,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 210 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 Western Wisconsin, WI?
The median annual wage is $26,650, or $12.81 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 Western Wisconsin, WI is 14.6% 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 Western Wisconsin, WI earns more than $37,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $19,100 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 210 jobs in this occupation in Western Wisconsin, 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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