How much does a host and hostess make in Santa Cruz?
$36,050a year
Median yearly pay for host and hostesss in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $17.33 an hour or $3,004 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.33
- Vs. national median
- +16%
- Rank among cities
- 26 of 381
- Jobs in the area
- 280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,540Median: $36,050Highest 10%: $44,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,540 | $16.61 | |
| 25th | $35,400 | $17.02 | |
| Median | $36,050 | $17.33 | |
| 75th | $37,660 | $18.11 | |
| 90th | $44,500 | $21.39 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for host and hostesss.
| San Jose, CA | $42,400 |
| San Francisco, CA | $39,810 |
| Napa, CA | $38,200 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $37,720 |
| Vallejo, CA | $37,520 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $36,920 |
| Salinas, CA | $36,380 |
| San Diego, CA | $36,140 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $35,620 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $35,380 |
| Oxnard, CA | $35,370 |
| Sacramento, CA | $35,330 |
| Chico, CA | $35,170 |
| Stockton, CA | $35,070 |
| Redding, CA | $35,050 |
| Modesto, CA | $35,030 |
| Yuba City, CA | $34,880 |
| Riverside, CA | $34,830 |
| Merced, CA | $34,690 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $34,660 |
| Visalia, CA | $34,510 |
| El Centro, CA | $34,320 |
| Fresno, CA | $34,320 |
| Hanford, CA | $34,320 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $59,190 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $48,220 |
| Cook | $46,850 |
| Cook | $44,560 |
| Cook | $43,630 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $43,400 |
| Cook | $39,140 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,110 |
| Food Server | $37,860 |
| Dishwasher | $37,380 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a host and hostess make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $17.33 ($36,050 a year).
Do host and hostesss make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $36,050 against $31,200 nationally, 16% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $36,640, so Santa Cruz pays 2% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for host and hostess pay?
26 of 381 metro areas with data.
How much does a host and hostess make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,540 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,500 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.