They asked if we wanted to join them, but of course it was quite short notice so we could not. Per the Department of Labor’s Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees chart (available online at: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/tipped), the minimum cash wage varies state-to-state. There are eight states and territories where the minimum cash wage is much higher, and the restaurants are required to pay servers the full state minimum wage before tips. Additionally, servers are usually required to give a portion of their tips to bartenders, bussers and sometimes other staff. It’s something in which you’re an active participant, tip or not, so it’s good to know.

Source: Washington Post February 26, 2026 06:31 UTC