Recommended tip for any service type
Last reviewed: January 2026
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Roughly 4.3 million U.S. workers rely on tips as their primary income, earning a federal tipped minimum of just $2.13 per hour1. The American Hotel & Lodging Association recommends $2–$5 per night for housekeeping2, while the Emily Post Institute sets restaurant norms at 18–20% pre-tax3. Industry surveys show that tip amounts vary significantly by region and service type4.
| Service | Standard Tip | Great Service |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant server | 18–20% | 22–25% |
| Bartender | $1–2/drink | $2–3/drink |
| Food delivery | 15–20% | $5+ min |
| Hair stylist | 15–20% | 20–25% |
| Hotel housekeeping | $2–5/night | $5–10/night |
| Movers | $20–40/person | $50+/person |
| Taxi/Rideshare | 15–20% | 20%+ |
| Valet | $3–5 | $5–10 |
Tipping norms in the US vary significantly by service type, and getting it wrong can mean either overpaying or — worse — insulting someone who depends on tips for their livelihood. Roughly 2.5 million Americans earn the federal tipped minimum wage of just $2.13/hour, making tips the majority of their income. This guide covers recommended tip amounts for 18+ service types based on industry norms and etiquette experts.
Sit-down restaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill is standard. 20% is the new norm in most cities. For exceptional service: 25%+. Never tip on tax — always calculate from the subtotal. Buffet: 10% — the server still handles drinks, plates, and clearing. Takeout: 0–10% — traditionally no tip, but 10% is increasingly common post-2020. Coffee shop/counter service: $1–2 per drink or 15–20% is appreciated but optional. Food delivery: 15–20% or $5 minimum. More for large orders, bad weather, or apartment buildings with difficult access. Bartender: $1–2 per drink or 15–20% of a tab.
Hair stylist: 15–20% of the total service cost. If the salon owner does your hair, tipping is optional but appreciated at 10–15%. Barber: 15–20%. Spa services (massage, facial): 15–20%. Nail technician: 15–20%. Tattoo artist: 15–25% — higher percentages are common for large, custom work. If you can't afford to tip on a $500 tattoo, budget it into your total cost.
Hotel housekeeper: $2–5 per night, left daily (different housekeepers may clean different days). Hotel bellhop: $1–2 per bag. Hotel concierge: $5–20 depending on the complexity of the request. Valet parking: $2–5 when your car is returned. Taxi/rideshare: 15–20%. Tour guide: $5–10 per person for a half-day tour; $10–20 for full day. Shuttle/airport van driver: $2–5 per person.
Movers: $20–50 per mover for a full-day move, or 15–20% of the total bill split among the crew. Furniture delivery: $5–20 per person, especially for large or difficult items. Appliance installer: $10–20 if they go above and beyond. House cleaner: The cost of one cleaning session as a holiday tip, or 15–20% per visit for independent cleaners. Lawn care/landscaper: $10–20 per visit or the cost of one visit as a holiday tip.
Medical professionals: Never tip doctors, nurses, therapists, or dentists. Government employees: Mail carriers can accept gifts up to $20 but not cash. Business professionals: Lawyers, accountants, teachers, real estate agents. Salaried service workers: Some upscale salons and spas include gratuity in pricing — check before doubling up. Countries outside the US: Tipping norms vary dramatically — over-tipping in Japan is considered rude.
Tipping practices in the United States vary significantly by service profession, and navigating these expectations is a common source of uncertainty. The tipping system evolved from a European aristocratic custom into an entrenched part of the American service economy, where many workers rely on tips as a primary income source. Under federal law, employers can pay tipped employees a direct wage as low as $2.13 per hour (the "tipped minimum wage"), provided that tips bring total compensation to at least the standard federal minimum wage. This legal structure means that tips are not bonuses for exceptional service but rather an essential component of these workers' baseline compensation.
The total value of tips in the American economy is estimated at $36-47 billion annually, supporting approximately 5.5 million tipped workers. Understanding tipping norms by profession helps ensure fair compensation for service workers while managing your own budget effectively. While practices continue to evolve — with tipping expectations expanding to new categories and "tipflation" increasing suggested percentages — the guidelines below represent current mainstream expectations. Our Tip Calculator and Tip Etiquette Calculator provide calculation tools for specific scenarios.
Restaurant servers are the most commonly tipped profession and have the most established expectations. The standard tip for sit-down restaurant service is 15-20% of the pre-tax bill, with 20% increasingly considered the baseline for adequate service. Many diners tip 20-25% for exceptional service. Counter-service and fast-casual restaurants, where customers order at a counter and receive minimal table service, traditionally did not expect tips, though digital payment systems now routinely present tip prompts. For these settings, tipping 0-15% is generally considered acceptable, with no social obligation to tip if service is truly minimal.
Bartenders typically receive $1-2 per drink for simple pours (beer, wine, basic cocktails) or 15-20% of the tab for more complex orders and longer visits. Delivery drivers for food delivery services (DoorDash, Uber Eats, GrubHub) should receive 15-20% of the order total or a minimum of $3-5, whichever is greater — the platform's delivery fee does not go to the driver. Buffet restaurant servers, who clear plates and refill drinks but do not take orders, typically receive 10-15%. Catering staff at events are sometimes included in the service charge but a separate tip of $20-50 per server is appreciated for exceptional service.
Hairstylists and barbers typically receive 15-20% of the service cost, with many clients tipping 20% as standard. If the stylist is also the salon owner, tipping was historically considered unnecessary, but this convention has shifted and most salon owners now accept and expect tips. Shampoo assistants and colorists who contribute to your service separately may receive $5-10 each. Spa services — massage therapy, facials, body treatments — follow the standard 15-20% guideline. Nail technicians (manicure, pedicure) typically receive 15-20%, with a minimum of $3-5 for basic services.
Tattoo artists typically receive 15-25% of the tattoo cost, with larger and more complex pieces sometimes warranting higher percentages due to the artistic skill and extended time involved. For multi-session tattoo projects, tipping at each session is standard practice. Estheticians, makeup artists, and personal trainers generally receive 15-20%. When using a gift certificate or discount coupon, tipping should be calculated on the full pre-discount value of the service — the worker provided the same service regardless of what you paid.
Hotel housekeeping should receive $2-5 per night, left daily (different housekeepers may clean your room on different days). Hotel bellhops/porters receive $1-2 per bag, with a minimum of $5. Concierges receive $5-20 depending on the complexity of the service provided — a simple restaurant reservation warrants less than securing difficult-to-get event tickets. Hotel valet parking attendants receive $2-5 when your car is retrieved. Room service, if not already included in a service charge, follows restaurant tipping guidelines of 15-20%.
Taxi and rideshare drivers typically receive 15-20%, with a minimum of $2-3 for short rides. Airport shuttle drivers receive $1-2 per bag plus $2-3 per person. Tour guides receive $5-10 per person for group tours and $10-20 per person for private tours. Ski instructors, fishing guides, and adventure tour operators typically receive 15-20% of the activity cost. For international travel, tipping customs vary dramatically by country — some cultures (Japan, South Korea) consider tipping rude, while others (many European countries) include service charges in prices. Researching local customs before traveling prevents both under-tipping (shortchanging workers who depend on tips) and over-tipping (which can cause offense in anti-tipping cultures).
Regular service providers — those who serve you consistently throughout the year — traditionally receive year-end holiday tips as a thank-you for ongoing service. Common guidelines include $20-100 for regular housecleaners, one week's pay or $20-50 for regular childcare providers, $10-30 per child for teachers (with a class gift often organized among parents), $20-50 for regular pet sitters or dog walkers, $20-50 for mail carriers (with a $25 gift card limit per federal regulations), $10-30 for garbage/recycling collectors, and $20-100 for regular personal service providers (barbers, trainers, etc.). These amounts vary based on the length and quality of the relationship, frequency of service, your geographic area, and your budget.
The "tipflation" phenomenon — the expansion of tipping expectations to professions and contexts that historically did not involve tips — has generated significant public debate. Self-checkout kiosks with tip prompts, counter-service restaurants requesting 20%+ tips, and suggested tip amounts starting at 18-25% represent the frontier of expanding tipping culture. While the social pressure of tip prompts is real, consumers should feel comfortable tipping based on the actual service received rather than the highest suggestion presented. For overall spending management, our Budget Calculator helps allocate household funds including service gratuities.
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See also: Tip Calculator · Tip Split · Split Expense · Budget Calculator · Travel Budget