[lil_cain]

That article indicates that there are both tipped, and untipped minimum wages - i.e. tipped staff earn less at minimum wage.

[iopq]

If they earn less than minimum wage, the restaurant has to actually compensate them up to the minimum wage. They only earn a lower nominal wage because it's expected they get more from tips.

[waiseristy]

In some states. Washington and a lot of the west coast states require all wages to be paid the same minimum. Not sure why the other states aren't pressured into doing the same.

[Mao_Zedang]

I understand this, what I dont understand is why.