SOC 35-9031 · Reading, PA metro

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop Salary in Reading, PA

The average salary for hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop in Reading, Pennsylvania is $28,150 a year ($13.53 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $27,330: half of the 410 people in this job in the Reading, PA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($32,690).

$28,150average per year

$13.53 / hourMedian $27,330Take-home ≈ $23,927

  • $20K10th
  • $23K25th
  • $27KMedian
  • $33K75th
  • $38K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

410people in this job
-14%vs U.S. average
#12 of 16Pennsylvania metros
97cost of living (U.S. = 100)
Advertisement

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop pay range in Reading

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $19,730 a year or less, while the top 10% make $38,410 or more. The middle half of hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop in Reading earn between $22,880 and $33,470.

  • $20K10th
  • $23K25th
  • $27KMedian
  • $33K75th
  • $38K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$28,150$2,346$13.53
Median$27,330$2,278$13.14
Entry level (25th percentile)$22,880$1,907$11.00
Experienced (75th percentile)$33,470$2,789$16.09

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop pay in Reading vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.

Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop in Reading earn 6% less than the Pennsylvania average ($30,020) and 14% less than the U.S. average ($32,690). At the median the gap is -12% against the U.S. median of $31,200.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Reading$28,150$27,330$19,730$38,410410
Pennsylvania$30,020$29,170$20,800$41,38018,020
United States$32,690$31,200$22,340$43,990432,690

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary after taxes in Reading

On the average salary of $28,150, a single filer in Reading takes home about $23,927 a year, or $1,994 a month and $920 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Pennsylvania paycheck calculator: try your own salary

Advertisement

Is Reading a good place for hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Reading area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.1), so the average $28,150 buys what about $29,003 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Reading ($49,440). A typical home costs $312,348, or 11.1 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $28,150 is worth in another city

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary in other Pennsylvania cities

Reading ranks 12th of 16 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($31,820).

All Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salaries in Pennsylvania

Highest-paying cities for hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop

Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($47,650).

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary by city

Advertisement

Does this match what you are paid?

Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.

Share your pay anonymously

Reviewed before it counts. Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Reading, PA.

Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop salary in Reading: questions

How much do hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop make an hour in Reading?

$13.53 an hour on average, and $13.14 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop salary in Reading?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $19,730 a year and the 25th percentile is $22,880, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop take-home pay in Reading?

About $23,927 a year ($1,994 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $28,150. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Do hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop earn more in Reading than elsewhere?

The average here is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($32,690).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-9031; area Reading, PA (39740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.9%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.85, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.