Tipped and Confused: A Guide to New York's Minimum Wage Maze
So, you're thinking about serving tables, slinging drinks, or generally being the life of the party in New York City? Well, you're in for a treat, but let's talk about the less glamorous side of things first: money. Specifically, the minimum wage.
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| What is The Minimum Wage In New York For Tipped Employees |
The Nitty Gritty: How Much Do Tipped Workers Really Make?
Now, before we dive into the numbers, let's get one thing straight: tips are NOT guaranteed. You can't count on that extra cash to pay your rent, trust me. That being said, let's talk about what your employer has to pay you.
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In the land of skyscrapers and dreams, New York has different minimum wage rules for different regions. Let's break it down:
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- New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County: Tipped workers in these areas get a cash wage of $13.35 per hour, plus a tip credit of $2.65. This means your employer can count $2.65 of your tips towards the minimum wage, but they still have to pay you the $13.35.
- Rest of New York State: Things are a bit less generous here. Tipped workers get a cash wage of $12.50 per hour with a tip credit of $2.50.
Food Service Workers: A Special Case
If you're serving up grub rather than cocktails, you get a slightly different deal.
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- New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County: Food service workers get a cash wage of $10.65 per hour with a tip credit of $5.35.
- Rest of New York State: The deal is the same as for food service workers in the tri-state area.
Important Note: Even though your employer can count part of your tips towards the minimum wage, they still have to make sure your total earnings (wages + tips) add up to at least the minimum wage. If they don't, they owe you the difference.
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Tips and Tricks (Literally)
Okay, enough about the boring stuff. Let's talk about how to actually make some decent money.
- Smile and be friendly: It’s amazing how far a little charm can go.
- Know your menu: The more confident you are, the better you’ll be at selling items.
- Upsell: Suggest appetizers, desserts, or drinks to boost your tip.
- Take care of your regulars: Good customer service pays off, literally.
How to...
- How to calculate my total hourly wage? Add your cash wage to the average amount you earn in tips per hour.
- How to know if my employer is paying me correctly? Keep track of your hours and tips. If your total earnings are below minimum wage, talk to your employer or contact the Department of Labor.
- How to report wage theft? Contact the New York State Department of Labor.
- How to find resources for tipped workers? Check out organizations like the Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York.
- How to make more tips? Be friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable about the menu.
So there you have it, a crash course in New York's minimum wage for tipped workers. Remember, while the rules can be confusing, a little knowledge and a lot of charm can go a long way. Happy hustling!
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