Each state is different (IE: NJ is $2.13/hr, NY is $4.20/hr while California is up to $8/hr plus tips)

In Arkansas you will most likely be paid $2.62 an hour plus tips. You are expected to make up the difference in tips. The only time your employer is supposed to make up the difference is if you do not average out the minimum wage for the PAY PERIOD..NOT SHIFT

For example....you work 5 days in the pay period...

Day 1 you work 6 hours and make $20 in tips for a total of $35.72 or $5.95 an hour (6hr * $2.62 = $15.72 in salary + $20 in tips = $35.72 "total pay" divided by 6hrs worked = $5.95/hr)

Day 2 you work 6 hours and make $25 in tips for a total of $40.72 or $6.78 an hour

Day 3 your work 6 hours at 2.62 and make $50 in tips you made a total of $65.72 or $10.95 an hour

Day 4 you work 8 hours at 2.62 and make $150 in tips you made a total of $170.62 or $21.32 an hour

Day 5 you work 8 hours at 2.62 and make $37 in tips you made a total of 57.62 or $7.20 an hour

Even though you missed minimum wage on Day 1, 2 and 5 the owner doesn't have to make up for it because your total average hourly wage was $10.89 an hour FOR THE PAY PERIOD (34 total hours worked divided by $370.40 total pay ($282 total tips plus $88.40 in total wage = $10.89/hr)

ON A SEPARATE NOTE - be prepared to "tip out" bus boys, bartenders and maybe even a host - ALSO remember that it is ILLEGAL to tip out anyone in the kitchen (dishwasher, cook, prep, etc) that is not directly involved with service to the front of house (expediter is sometimes the exception..but not always) and it is ILLEGAL to tip out management/owner (basically anyone that is allowed to hire/fire, discipline, suspend, etc)

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I dont know about Arkansas but in Maryland i was paid $2.38/hr + tips... tips i made GOOD MONEY!! I was working @ IHOP. Hope this helps!

A waitress is almost never paid at or above minimum wage. Usually around $2.25. But if you work 6 hours, say 4- 10 pm, and make about $150 in tips(very normal for 6 hours), thats about $27 an hour. Good Money!

No..you are wrong. you get 2.15/hr but you rely on the customer's tips-which you have to divide with the cook,cleaner. so you only take home 30.00