Tipping is a practice that has been around since the 1700s and still exists today. But how much is the average person tipping? What percentage of people tip?
Let’s take a look at some interesting tipping statistics to see who, what, and how much we are tipping in 2023.
Are People Not Tipping Anymore?
In recent years, there’s been a concerning decrease in people tipping. While the reasons may vary, whether it be a lack of perceived service value or customer service-related issues due to tight profit margins, it’s an issue that affects many industries and individuals alike.
Tipping is said to be down for a variety of reasons, perhaps because many online payment services calculate tips based on percentages, and with the growth of these apps, people don’t realize how little they’re tipping.
Tipping is an integral part of many businesses’ income streams, especially those featuring customer-facing employees. As such, those businesses strapped for cash could suffer mightily if this trend continues without appropriate solutions being implemented soon.
Of course, solutions may differ based on specific industries and situations.
Ultimately though, it’s important for both customers and businesses to come to terms with providing and accepting tips so that employees don’t get stiff while continuing to give satisfactory services in their respective places of work.
Take a look at the tipping statistics below to get a better idea of the state of tipping in America and around the world – you might be surprised!
Tipping Statistics – Highlights
- The average tip for perfect service in the U.S. is 20%.
- The worst tips are found at hotels and coffee shops, where tips are left only about 25% of the time.
- Barack Obama is one of the best-known celebrity tippers, once leaving 900% for just one beer. Drew Barrymore is a close second, often leaving 100% tips.
- New Hampshire has the greatest statewide tipping percentage, at around 29.47%. Idaho is the worst, at 16.71%.
- The best tipping groups are between the ages of 25 and 34, leaving an 18% tip 67% of the time, 45 to 54 (63% leave a tip higher than 18%), and 35 to 44 (62% leave high tips).
The average tip for perfect service in the U.S. is 20%.
(Source: Discover)
The average tip for perfect service in the U.S. is 20%, showing both appreciation and recognition of hard work by restaurant patrons. This figure reflects an understanding that restaurant workers often face difficult or low-paid roles, and a 20% tip can go some way towards providing a better financial situation to those in the industry.
Without generous tips from customers, those who provide services in restaurants could struggle to make ends meet at a time when wages are already particularly low.
About 18.8 million Americans don’t mind stiffing their wait staff with zero tip.
(Source: Finder)
Beyond robbing the waitstaff of a fair wage for their hard work, an act like this has far-reaching effects on the industry, both locally and nationally. Not only does it make hospitality workers more likely to be living in poverty, but it can affect a restaurant’s ability to hire new staff due to lack of wages that were potentially meant for those positions.
Simply put, when people skip out on tipping, it negatively affects the entire food service system and should be treated as unacceptable behavior – if someone is willing to enjoy a meal out, they need to be just as willing to support their server with a tip.
The worst tips are found at hotels and coffee shops, where tips are left only about 25% of the time.
(Source: GoFoodService)
Service workers at hotels and coffee shops have a difficult job of providing great service with little reward.
The money earned from tips can be essential for those working in these establishments to make ends meet, so it is disheartening to hear that customers are not tipping their servers and baristas. To support service industry workers and show appreciation for their hard work, it is important to leave an appropriate tip as a sign of gratitude.
43% of Americans tip between 18 and 22% on average, with 15% saying they leave an average of 22 to 26% of the bill as gratuity.
(Source: Finder)
These numbers show the generosity of American customers and the importance they place on rewarding those who provide services that make our lives easier. From restaurant waitstaff to delivery drivers, these tips show our appreciation for others’ hard work and kindness.
Landscapers are tipped an average of $30.
(Source: Fox Business)
People appreciatively use tips to acknowledge and honor a job well done, especially when they’re able to take in and enjoy the results of landscaping labor day after day.
It can be easy to overlook all the hard work that goes into sprucing up a lawn and garden, but this statistic suggests that many individuals understand, whether consciously or subconsciously, that appreciation needs to be extended.
Barack Obama is one of the best-known celebrity tippers, once leaving 900% for just one beer. Drew Barrymore is a close second, often leaving 100% tips.
(Source: GoFoodService)
Although this statistic appears impressive, it only further emphasizes how important tipping has become in the modern economy. It’s not just a gesture of appreciation for services rendered but also an economic mainstay for many people working in the hospitality industry who have come to rely on tips for some or all of their income.
Guests exposed to the color gold tend to tip more, perhaps because it invokes the feeling of luxury.
(Source: CompareCamp)
Research has shown that guests are exposed to the color gold tip more than those in other environments. Why is this? It could be due to the connotation of luxury that gold evokes.
Gold often symbolizes success, wealth, and opulence, so it’s possible that people feel compelled to match these properties with a generous gesture when they experience it in person.
The feeling of being able to treat someone or yourself with something luxurious can provide a sense of pleasure and accomplishment not found in regular settings. This likely leads to higher tipping rates for establishments using gold as a design element because customers are getting an enhanced sensory experience as well as subtle psychological cues.
6% of Americans regularly leave a tip of more than 26%.
(Source: Finder)
This figure speaks volumes about how people value the customer service professionals working hard in the hospitality industry. It certainly gives us all reason to pause and recognize our wait staff and others, providing us with moments of comfort and satisfaction every time we dine out.
Sunny weather has been shown to increase tipping by 24%.
(Source: CompareCamp)
This statistic is encouraging for those in the restaurant industry, as it demonstrates how much relies on simple atmospheric factors such as sunlight. With a few extra rays of sun, customers may be more likely to give a few extra dollars to recognize the effort taken by waitstaff in delivering exceptional service.
Women are more likely to tip generously, leaving 18% or more on average, with 66% of women leaving higher tips. Only 61.78% of men regularly leave tips higher than 18%.
(Source: Finder)
This appreciation of service may come from the fact that many women have historically been in the care-taking roles, so they are more familiar with emotional and tangible labor. Furthermore, it suggests a level of respect for those who serve them, regardless of gender and socio-economic status.
Restaurants receive the highest number of tips, with a tipping rate of 79%.
(Source: GoFoodService)
When it comes to the service industry, it’s no surprise that restaurants have consistently remained on top when it comes to tip amounts and frequency.
After all, the average server in a restaurant setting works harder, for longer hours, and for sometimes less recognition than their counterparts in other service industries.
Although other service professions such as taxis, bars, and salons also come close to this statistic, there is none that surpasses that of restaurants. When people think of tipping, they often think of restaurants; this shows how ingrained this culture has become into our wider dining experience.
9.71% of men say they’re comfortable leaving no tip, compared to just 5% of women.
(Source: Finder)
Generally, most people believe that a gratuity is an appropriate way both to thank the server for good service, as well as support them in making an adequate wage. This statistic appears to show that women may be more keenly aware of these values than men, pointing to a greater overall sense of responsibility on behalf of the female gender when it comes to tipping after meals at restaurants.
New Hampshire has the greatest statewide tipping percentage, at around 29.47%. Idaho is the worst, at 16.71%.
(Source: GoFoodService)
Tipping is a large part of the hospitality industry, and can significantly improve a person’s overall experience depending on how generous clients are.
With that in mind, it is no surprise that customers in New Hampshire have shown to be the most generous with their tips; at an impressive 29.47%, they are far ahead of any other state in the country.
On the other hand, Idaho comes in dead last with tipping rates at only 16.71%, creating possibly poor quality service experiences for its residents who frequent hospitality establishments. !
The best tipping groups are between the ages of 25 and 34, leaving an 18% tip 67% of the time, 45 to 54 (63% leave a tip higher than 18%), and 35 to 44 (62% leave high tips).
(Source: Finder)
This highlights that while the younger generation may be slightly more giving, tips are consistently left by patrons across all age groups – emphasizing that regardless of their age, customers normally adhere to good tipping etiquette when dining out.
65% of diners favor voluntary (rather than mandatory) tipping.
(Source: National Restaurant Association)
While many view tipping as an expected part of the dining experience, customers today enjoy more freedom in dictating how much and when to tip. Additionally, the rise of diners actively choosing voluntary tipping highlights just how important customer service is to restaurant patrons. People want to be able to reward and applaud great service, even if it’s not required by law.
The worst tippers are those between the age of 55 to 64, 6% of whom say they never leave tips.
(Source: Finder)
When it comes to tipping, percentages vary greatly amongst different age groups. According to recent surveys, those aged between 55 and 64 warrant attention, as they are the group that are most likely not to leave a tip after paying for services. In fact, 6% of people in this age group even admit that they never leave tips.
This could be caused by their spending habits or overall financial situation, along with hesitation surrounding technology such as contactless payment methods that can make typing easier. However you look at it, though, one thing is certain: tips are essential in showing appreciation for excellent service from restaurant and hospitality staff – something these customers may want to remember on their next outing.
95% of people tip delivery staff, whose salary consists of 30 to 70% tips.
(Source: GoFoodService)
Tipping delivery staff has become a common practice, as survey results have found that 95% of people tip these workers. For many delivery staff, tips make up a substantial part of their income, which could range from 30 to 70%.
With the pandemic taking an economic toll and unemployment levels on the rise, it appears that tipping is still important for these service industry workers. It allows them to continue living and working with pride and dignity, even in such trying times. The generosity of those providing tips shows how caring people can be under challenging circumstances.
The Midwest is the best region for tippers, with 67% of people leaving more than 18% on a bill for service. The South is the worst.
(Source: Finder)
It appears that Midwestern hospitality and generosity shine through when out on the town – generous tippers are increasingly common in regions such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio. The results encourage restaurateurs and wait staff alike to keep pushing great service – because in this part of America, their customers will be sure to reward them generously!
People tip well in Canada, leaving around 20% per tip, while tips are exceedingly rare in Italy.
(Source: GoFoodService)
Canada is known for its generous tipping culture, where it’s common for customers to leave a 20% tip for services. This differs vastly from the Italian tipping tradition, which rarely includes extra gratuity payments for services received.
The difference reflects the economic and cultural divide between the two countries; in Canada, the service sector is reliant on tips as part of a larger wage structure, while in Italy, there are higher wages throughout the service industry, which renders tips unnecessary.
There may be some regional variation within both countries regarding tipping etiquette, however, these examples highlight how standard cultural differences can affect how much – or how little – customers ultimately tip.
Repeating an order back to guests is shown to increase tip size by as much as 70%.
(Source: CompareCamp)
By repeating an order back to guests, servers are not only creating a pleasant atmosphere between customer and employee but also showing that their customer is being heard and respected. When customers feel as though they are truly valued and given the attention they deserve, it increases the likelihood of them leaving a larger tip.
Restaurants can increase the likelihood of patrons leaving generous tips by using a check tray embellished with the logo from a reputable credit card company – it can increase the likelihood of tipping by 25%.
(Source: CompareCamp)
It is interesting to note that this is a strategy used mainly by upscale establishments. Having such visible branding prominently displayed could potentially have a positive effect on their reputation amongst guests and allow customers to feel more secure in their transactions.
Final Thoughts: Tipping Statistics
Tipping is an interesting social phenomenon that has been around for centuries and continues to this day—but exactly how much do we tip?
From waiters and bartenders to valets and taxi drivers, we now know that there is quite a bit of variation when it comes to tipping percentages across different types of services as well as differences between genders and generations.
While there isn’t one definitive answer when it comes to proper tipping etiquette, understanding these statistics can help you make better decisions about how much you should be leaving for any given service!
