The minimum wage for a waitress can be affected by a variety of factors, though it is frequently determined by federal or regional labor laws. In the United States, for example, there are federal laws that establish a general minimum wage as well as more specific rules for waitresses and other tip-receiving employees. Regional laws in many states in the United States, however, can have a significant impact on the minimum wage for a waitress. In many cases, there are also secondary considerations, such as the annual sales of the establishment where a waitress works.
The federal laws in a country regarding labor and compensation are one of the primary influences on minimum wage for a waitress. In the United States, for example, there is a federal minimum wage to which some states adhere. There is also a second minimum wage for employees who receive regular tips in addition to their regular pay, such as waitresses. In contrast, in the United Kingdom, federal regulations establish a minimum wage for all employees, and tips earned by waitresses prevent employers from paying less than this.
In some countries, regional regulations can have an impact on the minimum wage for a waitress. In the United States, for example, each state can set its own minimum wage and a secondary minimum wage for waitresses and other tipped employees. This second figure, like the federal one, is based on the state minimum wage with a deduction based on a waitress’s expected hourly earnings from tips.
However, because these figures vary so widely, the minimum wage for a waitress in one state may be quite different from that in another. Some states do not reduce the minimum wage for tipped employees at all, allowing them to earn the same wage as other employees with tips added on top. In some states, a waitress’ minimum wage is half of the national minimum wage, or even less.
The size of the business she works for and her age are secondary factors that can affect a waitress’ minimum wage. Many states in the United States have different wages that employees must be paid based on the company’s annual sales. This allows smaller businesses to pay waitresses less than larger corporations. Employees’ minimum wage in some countries, such as the United Kingdom, can also be determined by their age. This means that a waitress under the age of 18 in England may be paid a lower minimum wage than one over the age of 21.