[bpodgursky]

https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/minimum-wage/2023/

> Nearly 8 in 10 workers earning the minimum wage or less in 2023 were employed in service occupations, mostly in food preparation and serving-related jobs. For many of these workers, tips may supplement the hourly wages received. (See table 4.)

There's a long tail but you can start with 80% of that 1% getting tips in food service.

[eesmith]

That's not 80%. Food preparation doesn't get tips. Fast food employees rarely get tips.

Federal minimum wage for tipped workers starts at $2.13/hr. Only if tips aren't at least $5.12 does the employer have to pay more.

[bpodgursky]

No fast food workers are making $7.25.

I'm sorry but if you think that's happening you are utterly disconnected with the real world. Mcdonalds is hiring at $15/hr and not succeeding.

[eesmith]

Point taken.

Please tell me where these minimum wage food preparation and serving-related workers are working then.

I can tell you don't live in California, where McDonalds pays a minimum of $20/hr.

I can tell you don't live in West Virginia, where McDonald's averages about $10/hr.

McDonalds isn't the only fast food place.

[bpodgursky]

?

They are waiters at non-fast-food restaurants and bars who make a nominal $2.50/hr and take most of their income in tips. I was very clear about this. I don't understand what's confusing.

[eesmith]

Of those nearly 8 in 10 workers, how many are in tipped positions?

[bpodgursky]

https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/minimum-wage/2023/

539,000/869,000 are food service employees under minimum wage.

Payment under min wage is only legal if they net above min wage after tips.