Millions of people in the workforce count on tips. If you have employees who regularly receive tips, complying with minimum wage regulations can be a complicated business—especially when calculating overtime. The reality is that the rules are different based on where you operate within the country. If you’re running payroll for multiple restaurants or other hospitality businesses, you need to be informed of what the tipped minimum wage laws are.
What is a Tipped Employee?
By federal law, a tipped worker is anyone who regularly receives at least $30 per month in tips. However, states may have a different threshold for tipped workers.
Workers in these states only have to receive $20 per month in tips to be considered a tipped employee:
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- North Carolina
- Texas
Five states have no state laws setting a minimum wage for tipped employees. They are:
- Alabama
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
What is the Hourly Wage for Tipped Employees?
Federal law sets the minimum basic cash wage at $2.13 per hour, but many states mandate a higher level.
What is Tip Credit Against Minimum Wage?
Restaurant employees who receive tips are entitled to a wage of at least $2.13 per hour, and more if their tips don’t equal at least federal minimum wage. Employers can claim a tip credit in the amount that bring an employee’s total earnings up to the federal or state minimum wage. For example, in a state that follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 and $2.13 for tipped workers, employers can claim a tip credit of $5.12.
How Do Different States Calculate Tipped Minimum Wage?
The tipped minimum wage rate is the lowest amount an employee can earn per hour. This is made up of a basic cash wage (which must be paid by the employer) plus a tip credit (which an employer can claim). Federal law sets the minimum base wage at $2.13 per hour, but many states mandate a higher level. In some states, employers must pay tipped employees the full state minimum wage before tips.
To help your organization stay aware of the latest labor laws, Paycor has created a breakdown of tipped minimum wage by state for 2025.
| State | Minimum Wage | Maximum Tip Credit | Tipped Minimum Wage (Total) |
| Federal | $2.13 | $5.12 | $7.25 |
| Alabama | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| Alaska | $11.73 ($13 on July 1) | — | — |
| Arizona | $14.70 | $3.00 | $11.70 |
| Arkansas | $11.00 | $8.37 | $2.63 |
| California1 | $16.50 | — | — |
| Colorado | $14.81 | $3.02 | $11.79 |
| Connecticut | $16.35 | $9.97 (bartenders $8.12) | $6.38 (bartenders $8.23) |
| Delaware | $15.00 | $12.77 | $2.23 |
| Florida | $14.00 (eff. 9/30/25) | $3.02 | $10.98 (eff. 9/30/25) |
| Georgia | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| Hawaii | $14.00 | $1.25 | $12.75 |
| Idaho | $7.25 | $3.90 | $3.35 |
| Illinois | $15.00 | $6.00 | $9.00 |
| Indiana | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| Iowa | $7.25 | $2.90 | $4.35 |
| Kansas | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| Kentucky | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| Louisiana | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| Maine | $14.65 | $7.32 | $7.33 |
| Maryland | $15.00 | $11.37 | $3.63 |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | $8.25 | $6.75 |
| Michigan | $10.56 (through Feb. 20); $12.48 (effective Feb. 21) | $6.55 (through Feb. 20); $6.49 (effective Feb. 21) | $4.01 (through Feb. 20); $5.99 (effective Feb. 21) |
| Minnesota | $11.13 | — | — |
| Mississippi | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| Missouri | $13.75 | $7.60 | $6.15 |
| Montana | $10.55 | — | — |
| Nebraska | $13.50 | $11.37 | $2.13 |
| Nevada | $12.00 | — | — |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 | $3.98 | $3.27 |
| New Jersey | $15.49 – businesses with 6 or more employees $14.53 – businesses with fewer than 6 and seasonal employees | $9.87 $8.91 | $5.62 |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | $9.00 | $3.00 |
| New York City2 | $16.50 | $5.50 (food service workers) $2.75 (service employees) | $11.00 (food service workers) $13.75 (service employees) |
| New York (remainder of state) | $15.50 | $5.15 (food service workers) $2.60 (service employees) | $10.35 (food service workers) $12.90 (service employees) |
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| North Dakota | $7.25 | $2.39 | $4.86 |
| Ohio | $10.70 | $5.35 | $5.35 |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| Oregon | $15.95 (Portland metro); $14.70 (standard); $13.70 (non-urban) through June 30 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 | $4.42 | $2.83 |
| Rhode Island | $15.00 | $11.11 | $3.89 |
| South Carolina | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| South Dakota | $11.50 | $5.75 | $5.75 |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| Texas | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| Utah | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
| Vermont | $14.01 | $7.00 | $7.01 |
| Virginia | $12.41 | $10.28 | $2.13 |
| Washington | $16.66 | — | — |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $6.13 | $2.62 |
| Wisconsin | $7.25 | $4.92 | $2.33 |
| Wyoming | $7.25 | $5.12 | $2.13 |
1For local minimum wage regulations, read our Guide to California Minimum Wage.
2Different rates apply for tipped service employees.
Should We Have a Tipped Minimum Wage?
The question of whether to maintain a separate, lower minimum wage for tipped workers divides policymakers, business owners, and labor advocates. Supporters of the tipped minimum wage argue it helps restaurants manage labor costs while allowing servers to earn well above minimum wage through tips. Industry groups contend this system keeps menu prices lower and preserves a tipping model that many servers prefer.
Critics counter that the tipped minimum wage creates unnecessary income instability for workers and makes them overly dependent on customer generosity. They point to states like California and Washington, which require employers to pay the full minimum wage before tips, as evidence that restaurants can thrive without a separate tipped wage. The Center for American Progress shows that enacting a fair minimum wage for all employees will help reduce poverty and improve the economy.
How Paycor Helps
In addition to state and federal minimum wage rates, cities in some states can set separate, higher wage rates. And while many rates are tied to the calendar year, some state rates change throughout the year. That’s where Paycor can help. For busy restaurant managers, owners, and operators, our intuitive and easy-to-use payroll software can keep you compliant while making inaccuracies easy to catch. And the entire process is as effortless as possible. Take a guided product tour today to learn more.
Paycor is not a legal, tax, benefit, accounting or investment advisor. All communication from Paycor should be confirmed by your company’s legal, tax, benefit, accounting or investment advisor before making any decisions.
