Maîtres d'hôtel and Hosts/Hostesses

(NOC 6511)

in All Sales and Service

Maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses greet patrons and escort them to tables and supervise and coordinate the activities of food and beverage servers. They work for restaurants, hotel dining rooms, private clubs, cocktail lounges, and similar businesses.

Job Outlook

Good

Read more

  • Estimate Strong growth employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 390 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate Low rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Sales and Service

  • Estimate 10325 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 17495 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$14.50

Minimum

$14.50

Median

$18.54

Maximum

Annual Pay

$1,750

Minimum

$7,170

Median

$19,038

Maximum

Compared to: All Sales and Service

Hourly Pay

$12.95

Minimum

$15.00

Median

$25.60

Maximum

Annual Pay

$2,949

Minimum

$16,629

Median

$45,086

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses greet patrons and escort them to tables and supervise and coordinate the activities of food and beverage servers. They work for restaurants, hotel dining rooms, private clubs, cocktail lounges, and similar businesses.

Job duties

Maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses may perform the following duties:

  • Receive and record patrons' reservations and assign tables.
  • Greet patrons at entrance of dining room, restaurant, or lounge and escort them to tables or other seating areas.
  • Speak with patrons to ensure satisfaction with food and service and attend to complaints.
  • Order necessary dining room supplies and equipment.
  • Inspect dining and serving areas and equipment.
  • Supervise and coordinate activities of food and beverage servers and other serving staff.
  • Accept payment from patrons for food and beverage.
  • Maintain financial statements and records and ensure safe keeping.
  • Prepare work schedules and payrolls.
  • Interview candidates for food and beverage server positions and train new employees.
  • May be responsible for marketing and advertising the business.

Sample job titles

  • dining room host/hostess
  • food service host/hostess
  • maître d'
  • restaurant host/hostess

Skills

  • You should be friendly, well-spoken, well-groomed, and enthusiastic about the service. Good organizational and mathematical skills are necessary. You must be pleasant to both your customers and co-workers, even when working under pressure. Maîtres d'hôtel and hosts/hostesses are on their feet most of the time requiring physical fitness and stamina. For some positions, knowledge of a second language is an asset.

Job requirements

  • High school is usually required.
  • Several weeks of on-the-job training are usually required.

Other considerations

  • These jobs are heavily influenced by tourism activity. Therefore, employment levels tend to vary throughout the year and peak in the summer months. Also, many job openings are created each year as workers in these positions change jobs. However, due to the limited entry requirements, there are often many people available to fill these positions. They may work 40 hours or more per week, and many are expected to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Maîtres d'hôtel require experience as a formal or captain waiter/waitress or other food service experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

570

employed in 2016

22.8%

employed full-time

0.0%

self employed

88.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
11.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
21.4

median age

Compared to: All Sales and Service

102,605

employed in 2016

56.4%

employed full-time

5.8%

self employed

60.1%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
39.9%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
37

median age

Where will I likely work?

63.2%

Halifax

$7,782 median annual income
13.2%

North Shore

$7,936 median annual income
12.3%

Cape Breton

$5,270 median annual income
9.6%

Southern

$7,937 median annual income
1.8%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

93.3%

Accommodation and food services

2.2%

Health care and social assistance

2.2%

Information and cultural industries

2.2%

Professional, scientific and technical services

What is the age of Employment?

75.0%

15-24

10.0%

25-34

7.0%

45-54

5.0%

35-44

3.0%

55-64

Compared to: All Sales and Service

30.0%

15-24

17.2%

45-54

17.2%

25-34

16.1%

55-64

13.8%

35-44

Top levels of education

51.8%

High school

$7,957 median annual income
27.2%

Less than high school

$3,043 median annual income
11.4%

Bachelor

$12,570 median annual income
7.0%

College Diploma

$9,979 median annual income
2.6%

Trade Certification

N/A

Compared to: All Sales and Service

39.8%

High school

$15,705 median annual income
19.7%

Less than high school

$9,866 median annual income
19.5%

College Diploma

$20,644 median annual income
9.9%

Bachelor

$21,262 median annual income
8.0%

Trade Certification

$21,234 median annual income

Education & training

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia
Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Tourism Talent
Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource Sector Council
Halifax, NS

Additional resources