The State of Tipping in the United States: Nationwide Poll Reveals Tipping Behaviors of Americans in 2025

Tipping is an integral part of American culture, particularly in the service industry where employees often rely on tips to earn a living wage. However, what was expected or recommended just a decade ago is now demanded, with tipping expectations increasing even more during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Automatic tipping prompts are now a usual sight at restaurants where customers are pressured to leave a minimum of 20% – often around 30%, tip.

But the more businesses demand, the more customers feel tired of leaving something extra to the wait staff; the nuisance has turned into frustration and businesses are losing clients; all in the name of keeping both prices and wages low. Curious to see how tipping has changed over the past few years, the team at TradingPedia commissioned MarketsChain to conduct an online survey among adult Americans on their attitudes towards tipping. The poll, which included 2,005 participants aged 18 and over, discovered that despite the widespread tipping fatigue as many media reports referred to the phenomena, only about 7% of American customers refuse to leave a tip.

Data from the poll shows that the average tip in the U.S. in early 2025 is 18.85%, with men typically leaving a slightly larger tip – around 19.07%, compared to an average of 18.6% for women. Generations also tip differently – while Millenials seem to be the most generous tippers, leaving an extra 19.5% on average, those aged 61 years and older are much more conservative with 16.4%. Interestingly, respondents from Delaware tend to tip the most, 21.25% on average, whereas those in California are the least generous clients. Despite the increasing number of businesses in the state with suggested or even required tipping percentages, the average tip there is just 17.33%.

The peculiar tipping culture in the United States

Unlike in many other countries where service charges are included in bills and tipping is minimal, in the United States, it is expected and often necessary for service workers to rely on tips for up to half of their earned income (sometimes, the tips account for more than half of what they make).

Many service workers, particularly restaurant servers, bartenders, and delivery drivers, are paid below the federal minimum wage. In some states, the tipped minimum wage is as low as $2.13 per hour. Tips make up most of these employees’ income, helping them earn a living wage. And this is how tipping has become an expected practice in the U.S. while failing to tip appropriately is often viewed as rude or disrespectful.

Businesses, on the other hand, rely on tipping to keep menu prices lower while shifting the responsibility for wages onto customers. U.S. labor laws allow employers to pay tipped workers less than the standard minimum wage, with the expectation that tips will make up the difference. If an employee’s total earnings, including tips, do not meet the federal or state minimum wage, the employer is required to make up the shortfall. However, this requirement is not always strictly enforced, leading to inconsistencies in worker compensation.

The Most & Least Generous Tippers: How Do States Differ?

A lot of things can influence how much the average tip can change across states, like average income, service industry norms and the standard of living. Delaware is known for its low taxes and the lack of sales tax, in particular, which may be one of the reasons behind the high average tip percentage. The 21.25% average tip means that more people decide to leave more than the standard 15-20% in restaurants, for example. According to our poll, 40% of respondents from the state tip 20%, nearly a quarter (24%) tip 21-22%, and another fifth of people (20%) say they tip more than 22%.

The second-highest average tips, according to our poll, are in West Virginia where customers leave an average of 20.31% in tips. The rest of the more “generous” states are Indiana with 20.33%, New Hampshire with 20.7%, and Iowa with 19.74%.

California, on the other hand, has the lowest tips at 17.4%, although 22.6% say they tip 20%. However, many (around 17%) say they tip under 15%, while more than a third (33.96%) admit they tip between 15% and 20%. Moreover, a little over 11% of respondents from the state say they never tip. Washington is another low-tip state, with an average tip standing at 17.51%.

There is an interesting correlation between the minimum wage and the average tips. As of March 2025, the State of Washington has the highest minimum wage in the country; it is 16.66 per hour and it is adjusted annually. The second-highest minimum state wage is in California, $16.50/hour. The minimum wage in the State of New York, is the same as in California, $16.50/hour. The average tip here is 18.39%, which is significantly more than in California, yet it is the 11th lowest average tip in the country. With the higher wages, staff’s reliance on tips is lower, which could explain the low average tips.

Nearly 7% of Americans Say They Never Tip

Since tips are always optional (unlike service charges, which are mandatory and typically added to the bill), it is up to the customer to decide how much or whether to leave a tip. Tipping is done in many places, but despite how often it is asked for, some people simply choose not to leave a tip even if it is considered rude.

When asked about the services they tip and if they do at all, only 141 individuals or 7.03% of respondents say they never tip. The only exceptions are Kansas and Nevada; no survey participants from these two states opted for this answer. The states with the largest share of customers who never tip are Ohio (16.67%), Oklahoma (15.63%), North Carolina (15.15%), Maine (14.29%), and Maryland (13.04%). Alaska and California follow with 12.73% and 11.32%, respectively.

Only around 4% of respondents from Delaware, the state with the highest average tip, say they never tip. In West Virginia, 3% never tip.

More than Half Believe the Tipping Amount Should Depend on the Quality of Service

Tipping is considered customary in some establishments such as full-service restaurants but, of course, it never is mandatory. Determining how much to tip can be confusing for many customers, who may worry about insulting the server by giving too little or wonder if their tip is excessively generous. This uncertainty is especially pronounced in situations like dining at restaurants, where the appropriate tip can fluctuate based on the number of guests at the table and the duration of the meal.

Many factors weigh in when deciding how much and whether to leave a tip, with the quality of service still being the most important according to survey findings.

Among the respondents, 1,146 individuals, or 57.16%, believe that the quality of service, along with the staff’s attitude and professionalism, are the most important factors when deciding whether to tip. They feel that the amount of the tip should be influenced by these factors. The highest percentages of respondents who prioritize these aspects are in Nebraska (75.68%) and Oregon (75%), while the lowest percentages are found in Ohio (38.89%), Delaware (40%), and South Carolina (40%).

Additionally, 279 individuals, or 13.92%, admit that they tip mainly because they feel it is expected. This social pressure compels them to leave a tip even if they feel it is undeserved. Interestingly, only 5.41% of respondents from Nebraska feel pressured to tip, whereas the largest proportions of those feeling obligated are in West Virginia (30.3%) and California (28.3%).

Furthermore, 21% of respondents, totalling 439 individuals, take into account how much the tip will cost them. This significant percentage reflects the rising cost of living in recent years, alongside wages that have failed to keep pace with inflation.

Only a little over 7% of survey respondents consider service workers’ wages when deciding whether and how much to tip. To adjust a tip based on a worker’s wage, customers would need to know what portion of the wage is covered by the employer and how much comes from tips.

In Oregon, 75% of respondents indicated that their tipping decisions are based on the quality of service received, the highest percentage of any state. In contrast, Pennsylvania and Montana both have 32% of people who tip based on how much it will cost them.

More Than a Third Wish Service Workers Received Fair Wages

Tipping has become a contentious issue, as some services that previously did not require tips are now heavily reliant upon them, which can leave some customers confused and frustrated. Even in situations where tipping is typically expected, having to give 20% or more when one does not believe it is warranted can be quite exasperating.

In our survey, 22.5% of respondents indicate they tip to show appreciation for service workers. This response is not surprising, as service workers often face significant challenges in their jobs, and many customers feel that tipping is a good way to express satisfaction with the service received.

However, a little over 28% of respondents say they tip because they feel pressured or obligated to do so, highlighting the negative effects of tipping culture on those who are uncomfortable with the practice, even if they were dissatisfied with the experience. Additionally, more than 10% of participants report that they only tip when they believe the service truly merits it. Notably, the largest group, comprising 39.2%, express a desire for tipping to be eliminated altogether, preferring that workers receive higher wages instead.

There are regional differences, as well. In North Carolina, 55% of respondents say they tip to show appreciation for service workers, while in Michigan, 59% express a desire for tipping to be abolished in favor of better wages for workers. In Delaware, the state with the highest average tips, one-fifth of respondents say they tip out of gratitude and appreciation, while only 4% say they tip only when the service is exceptional. The largest share, or 52%, say service workers should receive better wages so that tipping is not necessary.

In Arizona, 23% of people try to avoid tipping unless they believe it is deserved, and 46% wish that tipping did not exist. Another large share of people who tip when it is deserved can be found in Maryland; 22% of them opt for this answer. The same number of people in the state say they tip out of appreciation for the service workers. In Wyoming, over 54% feel pressured to tip, while only 5% will refrain from tipping unless they receive exceptional service.

The social pressure to leave a tip is a strong factor for many – the expectation not just from businesses and service workers but from other customers, as well. Along with Wyoming, several other states have a large share of respondents opting for this answer, including Texas (48.1%), Utah (48%), Oregon (47.7%), Pennsylvania (43.2%), and West Virginia (42.4%).

Tipping After Covid And Record High Inflation

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge, albeit temporary impact on tipping culture. Following the lockdowns and closure of many restaurants and other service-based businesses, customers wanted to show their support and appreciation for service workers by leaving more generous tips than ever once restaurants opened. With prices going up, however, the trend faded; businesses increased their prices, some added automatic service charges to all bills, and some restaurants and other establishments introduced tipping suggestions.

Tipping has become more prevalent, both in terms of the amount that is expected and the frequency with which it is solicited; at least this is what the poll results suggest. As a result of these changes, customers became frustrated with tipping, especially with services where tips were not customary in the past. Some services that previously did not request tips now do, and the expectation has shifted from a standard 15-20% to sometimes asking for more than 25%.

Our survey collected data on public opinions regarding the recent changes in tipping culture in the U.S. Among the respondents, 71% believe that tipping nowadays is expected too often and in too many situations. Additionally, 13.32% feel that tipping expectations have increased in certain industries, i.e. the amount of the tips has gone up. Only 8.89% think tipping is fair, while 6.7% say they have no opinion.

In Texas, 86.5% of participants note that tipping has become too frequently expected in various settings. Only 5% of those surveyed feel that the current tipping practices are acceptable.

Opinions differ in other states. For instance, only 51.7% of respondents in North Dakota believe that tipping is expected too much and in more places than before, which is significantly lower than the national average. In Rhode Island, a notable 20% of individuals surveyed indicate that they consider tipping to be fair, suggesting some regions have varying perspectives on tipping practices. Other states where a significant share of people say tipping is fair are Vermont (17.86%) and New Jersey (17.54%).

The Introduction of Automatic Tip Prompts

A significant shift has been the broadening of tipping expectations across various service sectors. This expansion is partly due to the proliferation of digital payment systems that prompt customers to add gratuities in settings where tipping was previously uncommon, such as self-service kiosks and fast-food establishments.

Despite the increased prevalence of tipping prompts, there is evidence of “tip fatigue” among consumers. Experts attribute this decline to consumers feeling overwhelmed by frequent tipping requests, especially amid rising living costs.

The integration of digital payment platforms has transformed tipping dynamics. Modern point-of-sale systems often present customers with preset tipping options, often starting at 15% or more. This is where “guilt-tipping” can come to life – the social pressure to leave higher gratuities, even in scenarios involving minimal service and minimal interaction between the customer and the staff. While businesses may benefit from increased tips, consumers have expressed frustration over what they perceive as an overreach in tipping solicitations.

How Do Tipping Suggestions Change the Way We Think About Tips?

Following the pandemic, the lockdowns, and the reopening of businesses, many establishments have started asking for tips on digital payment screens after a customer makes a purchase. Even more businesses have signs or some other means of notifying the customer what tip is expected. These tipping suggestions, recommendations, and requirements have spread beyond restaurants and can now be seen in taxis, beauty salons, dry cleaning services, etc. Not to mention the online stores which add a tipping option on the payment screen. We included a question in our poll to determine if this practice leaves customers with a negative impression.

When asked about their attitude towards automatic tip prompts on digital payment systems and tipping recommendations from businesses, about 66.2% of people say they dislike them. This practice can make customers feel pressured to tip or to leave a larger tip than they intended to and feel comfortable with. When looking regionally, over 88% of individuals in Kansas particularly dislike this method of asking for a tip. The practice is also disapproved by many respondents from Montana (81.1%), Florida (77.9%), Georgia (76.7%), Pennsylvania (73%), Louisiana (73%), Michigan (73.5%), and Washington (73.3%).

Another 16% of all respondents in the survey say they do not like recommended tip amounts and automatic tip prompts, but they admit that they accept them and follow the recommendation. With 32.4% of answers, Nebraska has the largest share of respondents who choose this option, followed by Vermont with 28.6% and Iowa with 27.8%. Overall, 82.24% of survey participants in the country dislike being prompted to tip a predetermined amount, with those in the states of Georgia (93.3%), Kansas (92%), Hawaii (89.7%), and Iowa (88.9%) being particularly disheartened by the practice.

Roughly 12% of respondents say do not mind suggested tip amounts at restaurants and other service-based establishments, adding they usually leave the suggested tip percentage. Of course, there are regional differences here, as well. For instance, only 5% of respondents from South Carolina approve of the practice compared to 19.2% of those in Texas.

Lastly, around 5.7% of respondents consider this practice convenient and say they approve of it. Determining an appropriate tip can be challenging, and some individuals appreciate having predetermined options that help them avoid tipping too much or too little. Notably, 16.7% of people in Ohio and 13.8% of those in New Hampshire appreciate being told how much to tip, while 0% in Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, and Pennsylvania find the practice useful.

Do Men And Women Tip Differently?

Research has shown multiple times that the tipping behaviors of men and women are different and our February 2025 survey is no exception. Results suggest that women tend to tip more frequently and more consistently, while in those instances when men decide to leave a tip, they tend to tip slightly more. Based on the answers in the poll, men leave an average tip of 19.07%, whereas women leave an average of 18.6%. Additionally, roughly 7.1% of women say they never tip, compared to 6.97% of men.

Survey participants were also asked about the services and service workers they usually tip, including servers and bartenders at full-service restaurants, hairdressers and barbers at various personal care and grooming facilities, meal delivery personnel, grocery store employees, etc. Men tend to tip slightly more frequently at sit-down restaurants, with 78.9% of them reporting that they tip compared to 78.58% of women. Women, however, are significantly more likely to leave a tip for grooming services such as hairdressers and barbers, with 57.4% of women tipping versus just 30.5% of men.

Also, 44.7% of men tip their taxi drivers, while only around 34% of women say they leave a tip. Men are also more likely to tip the housekeeping staff at hotels (45.4% against 39% of women) and when picking up takeout food (24.4% against 21.3% of women). More women, on the other hand, say they leave a tip at fast-food restaurants (64.5% against 62.4% of men), coffee shops (51.7% against 50.4% of men), and grocery stores (14.6% against 13.6% of men). Women are also more likely to tip for both food and non-food deliveries compared to men – 55.7% of women tip for meal deliveries versus 62.4% of men, while 16.8% of women and 16.2% of men tip when it comes to furniture and appliance deliveries.

Younger Generations Tend to Tip More Often But Only for Certain Services

When looking at the age of survey respondents, there are also notable differences in tipping habits across the different generations in the United States. Baby boomers, for instance, or the generation born between 1946 and 1964, are usually known as generous tippers, tipping more consistently and leaving bigger tips. This is not exactly what the results from the survey show, however.

Respondents aged 61 and older do seem to tip more consistently with little difference between the places and services they say they tip. For instance, they are most likely to leave a tip at sit-down restaurants with 66.03% saying they do so and least likely to tip at grocery stores and when picking up takeout. But this is still more than a fifth of them (20.6% for each of the services). Moreover, they leave smaller tips compared to younger respondents, 16.4% on average.

Those aged between 45 and 60, representatives of Generation X, tip an average of 18.21% and are also most likely to tip at sit-down restaurants. Around 75% of them leave a tip to the wait staff; the least likely place they will leave a tip, however, is the grocery store, with only 14.8% tipping. The personal preferences and selectiveness of younger generations are even more pronounced – 83.3% of Millennials (those aged between 29 and 44) tip at sit-down restaurants and only 11.8% of them tip at grocery stores. The youngest generation included in our survey, namely Generation Z (ages 18 to 28), is also very selective when it comes to the places and services it tips – 81% of this age group tips at sit-down restaurants, while just 12.7% leave a tip for furniture and appliance deliveries.

For furniture and appliance delivery, as well as at grocery stores, boomers tip at higher rates than younger generations. Nearly a quarter of respondents aged 61 and older or 24.4% report tipping delivery workers (non-food deliveries) compared to only 17% of Gen-Xers and Millennials. Only 20.57% of boomers tip at grocery stores and for furniture delivery. At coffee shops, hotels and for grooming services, older survey participants are more likely to tip compared to Gen-Zers.

Baby Boomers and the few representatives of the Silent Generation (those born between 1925 and 1945) included in this poll are also the most likely age group to never tip (20.10%). In comparison, 11.6% of Gen-Xers and only 3.3% of Millennials say they never tip. Data also shows that Millennials are the most reliable tippers, leading in almost every category, especially at restaurants, hotels, and personal services. Gen Z tips slightly less than Millennials but still respects the tipping culture more than Boomers and Gen X, with only 3% saying they never tip. The most generous tippers seem to be Millenials with an average tip of 19.49%, followed by Gen-Z respondents who tip an average of 19.31%.

Methodology