Following the recent tipping question, what's a good wage for a server? What are they paid outside the US? (lemmy.world)

submitted 6 hours ago by Today@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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Since ours in the US is generally a percentage of the bill, people in expensive restaurants can make more. Do they work harder? Do they have fewer tables so less checks are tipping? 20% tips on 5 hundred dollar tables is $100 every 60-90 minutes, but shifts are usually only a few hours. So maybe $3-400 for a 4-5 hour dinner shift? In a diner you'd are probably half that per table but for more tables and faster turnover. What's a good wage?

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[-] Fizz@lemmy.nz 2 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago)

In nz its generally 22-32$ an hr. Shifts are 6-8hr 5-6 days a week.

For US I'd say whatever wage is required for them to make close to the median wage with 35-40 hr work.

I see median wage at $1200 per week (dam Americans are fucking rich) so id say they should be on $25-30 which puts them at around $1000 a week with 30-40hr work.

If we are just looking at median food/service wage its at $700 a week. So I'd say $17-$23 to reach that $700 a week with 30-40hr work is fair wages. A slight increase for most food/service roles compared with their current median. I'd expect it to be high in the expensive places like NY.

this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2026

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