SalaryNode

Average Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Hosts and Hostesses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $34,990, which is notably higher than the national average of $31,990. This localized pay differential is often influenced by the dynamic economic landscape and the higher operational costs associated with major urban centers like Chicago.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $34,990 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $46,870.
  • Outlook: With a substantial local workforce of 9,960 individuals in this role, and a Location Quotient of 0.8, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area demonstrates a solid presence of Hosts and Hostesses, though slightly below the national concentration. This suggests a stable, albeit not exceptionally concentrated, demand for these positions within the region's vibrant hospitality sector.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$34,990

The average Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earns+9.4%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$16.8

Weekly

$673

Monthly

$2,916

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Salary Distribution in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Salary progression for Hosts and Hostesses typically correlates with experience and responsibility. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience in managing guest flow, handling reservations, and potentially supervising junior staff can command salaries significantly above the average, reflected in higher percentile earnings.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$29,120$14
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$26,243$12.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$31,360$15.1
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$43,738$21
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$46,870$22.5

Detailed Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$34,990

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$34,990

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $34,990 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the nominal income earned by a Host or Hostess in this region offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making it neither exceptionally advantageous nor disadvantageous from a cost-of-living perspective.

Job Market Context

9,960

Total Jobs

2.227

Per 1K Jobs

0.8

Location Quotient

Below Average

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has 0.80x the national average concentration of Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.8 indicates that the concentration of Hosts and Hostesses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area is slightly lower than the national average. This suggests that while the job market is robust enough to support a large workforce, it may not be as saturated as in some other regions, potentially offering a balanced environment for job seekers.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

The median annual salary for a Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $34,990. This typically ranges from $29,120 for entry-level positions to $46,870 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 9.4% higher than the national median of $31,990.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a lucrative place for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops?

Yes, it offers a slightly above-average earning potential.The average salary of $34,990 is higher than the national average, and the cost of living is at the national average, indicating good relative value for earnings.

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN a good place to live for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shops?

The Cost of Living Index in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

Some top paying nearby cities include Michigan City-La Porte, IN ($26,930) and Kenosha, WI.

How does the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin salary compare to the national average?

Hosts and Hostesses in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN earn approximately $3,000 more annually than the national average.

What is the total number of Hosts and Hostesses in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area?

There are approximately 9,960 Hosts and Hostesses employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metropolitan area.

How does the concentration of Hosts and Hostesses in Chicago compare to the national average?

The Location Quotient of 0.8 suggests that the concentration of this role in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is slightly below the national average.

Does the cost of living in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin affect the value of the Host salary?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local salary's purchasing power is equivalent to the national average, meaning it holds its value well against local expenses.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 9,960 employees in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area with a job density of 2.227 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.