How much does a waiter/waitress make per hour? Bet you don't know!?

	How much does a waiter/waitress make per hour? Bet you don't know!? I have come across so many people who tell me that I should always tip a server at least 15?no matter how BAD they are at their job. Because they only make $2.13 per hour, aw how sad, right? Except I know better. We have a federal minimum wage in this country and it is currently $5.15 per hour unless you are a tipped employee who customarily and regularly receives more than $30 in tips per month. In that case, you only earn $2.13 per hour, but it doesn't end there. The law says that if the tipped employee does not earn enough in tips to equal min wage, then the employer must make up the difference. So, all you waiters and waitresses, do your jobs to the best of your ability, smile, and keep my glass full and I will tip you at least 15?even though I don't have to. If you don't like your minimum wage job (that is, in fact, not a minimum wage job), don't gripe about it to me. Asked By: Unorthodox - 12/22/2006

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
Well, when I waited tables, I'd actually walk away from a 4-5 hour shift with $200-$300... which averages about $50-$60 an hour. Not too shabby. But then again, I was one hell of a server, and knew how to do my job well. And for those of you thinking "No way.." Think about it this way: I could serve 6 or 7 tables at a time, no problem. Average party size was 4-top, average ticket was around $50. Let's make it easy, and say these parties each stayed for an hour. So.. $50 times 6 tables.. These people were eating an average of $300 worth of food an hour. Even if they wanted to tip a sh*tty 10?I'd still walk with $30/hour. But I always gave exceptional service, which usually equals exceptional tips (averaging $50-$60/hr). Those servers who are complaining they don't make enough money are obviously either: A) Not working in the right establishment, or B) Not doing their job right. Answered By: [we're all mad here] - 12/22/2006

Additional Answers ()

Yeap I don't know. Answered By: mama - 12/22/2006

I have two kids who are servers and they make about $11 per hour. Answered By: Losewithsuz - 12/22/2006

Why does it even matter..they have to deal with stupid people all the time. Whatever their salaries are is not enough for them for what they actually have to put up with!! Answered By: Gucci Girl - 12/22/2006

15 ot 14 dollar per hr Source(s): Drama Queen Answered By: Drama Queen - 12/22/2006

Okay,you are one of those people who think waiters/waitresses make a lot of tips. My family has worked restaurant work.By law the employer has to make up any difference to make sure they get min. wage. But those waiters have to still pay taxes on those tips. So if you base their tip on their performance why should they have to pay taxes on gratuities.(Look up in a dictionary what that means) Here is a little tidbit I bet you didn't know. The restaurant breaks down what it makes on each shift, per waitress they than decide what that waitress was suppose to make. If a waitress works a slow section that day, She will make less in tips, so should she be required to pay as much. Will at the restaurant where my sister works thay don't give a flying fig which section they work, they just give them an average. It's not as most people think. My sister works in a truck stop, and she often times came home with good tips, but if she worked the formal dining room, most times tips were paltry. The customers were local people who generally are tightwads. Answered By: Virginia G - 12/22/2006

It varies from state to state. Colorado $2.50...California $6.75. By the way big spender..good service equals 20?lus. Walk in our shoes for a day and then comment. Answered By: chewtoy789 - 12/22/2006

It depends on what state your talking about. Here in Ca, we make minimum wage plus tips. In other states, they literally are only paid about $2.00 an hour by the restaurant, and the rest is made up of tips. And who do you think you are telling us to get a different job? Most of us are WORKING STUDENTS paying our way through school. Would you prefer we don't work while going to school and live off welfare so you can support us? Didn't think so. Next time think before you open your uneducated and close minded mouth. Answered By: Meganator - 12/22/2006

They must earn over the minimum wage, waitresses/waters usually make good tips which makes up their wage Answered By: leanne n - 12/22/2006

I lived in a small town in Kansas and some of my best friends were waitress and they were getting atleast $100 a day in tips! Answered By: Ashlie - 12/22/2006

Yeah, in Canada it's against labor standards to pay under minimum wage, no matter how much you make in tips. Answered By: Mandy - 12/22/2006

Yes I know the law requires the employer to guarantee that the waiter/waitress averages nimimum wage per hour. It's a good thing too cause some people just refuse to tip a decent amount regardless of the service received. I leave a 5 to 10?ip (and a verbal comment to the server) if I get mediocre or less than adequate service. I leave 15?ip if I get average service & I leave 20?f I get excellent service (or more depending on my alcohol consumption :-) I leave no tip and a comment with the manager if I get absolutely no effort from the server. As Harrison Ford once said, waiting tables is a job that is easy to do but seldom done well. I was a waitress for a decade, I know I'm a picky customer but hey, I'm worth it & that's their job. Answered By: celia17 - 12/22/2006

Actually, i did know that! :) Answered By: mardigras_00 - 12/22/2006

Yes,I know I'll try and tip them at lest 3dollars when I go there. Answered By: mogger - 12/22/2006

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Other Career Questions

	What age does a waiter/waitress have to be to serve alcohol in a restaurant in the uk? How old does a waiter or waitress have to be to serve alcohol with food in a restaurant in the Uk and how do you report somebody that is not complying with this law? 3 answers - Asked By: Dragonflykitty - 4/11/2013

	How much do you usually tip at restaurants? I saw a comment posted by one guy that said he didn't beleive in paying people to do a job their already getting paid to do, but the reality of it is they really aren't getting paid to do it, they rely on the tips. Most waiters/waitresses only make like $2 an hour some places its a little more, but how would anyone live on that little amount of money? So what I want to know is how much most of you tip when you go out to eat? I usually tip between 10 and 15%. 17 answers - Asked By: Soon 2B Mrs.H - 9/24/2009

	Customers, what do you think when your waiter has bad acne? I am a waiter for my part time job and have pretty bad acne. What do you guys think when your waiter/waitress have some sort of flaws on their face? Does it make you lose your appetite? 6 answers - Asked By: DEStiny - 3/10/2012


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