1. What is the current minimum wage for tipped workers in North Carolina?

The current minimum wage for tipped workers in North Carolina is $2.13 per hour.

2. Is there a difference between the tipped minimum wage and regular minimum wage in North Carolina?

Yes, there is a difference between the tipped minimum wage and regular minimum wage in North Carolina. The current tipped minimum wage in North Carolina is $2.13 per hour, while the regular minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. This means that employees who receive tips as part of their job are only required to be paid a minimum of $2.13 per hour, with the expectation that they will make up the rest of the hourly wage through tips. However, if an employee’s tips do not bring their hourly earnings up to at least $7.25 per hour, the employer must make up the difference.

3. How much do tipped workers make per hour in North Carolina?

The current minimum wage for tipped workers in North Carolina is $2.13 per hour. However, if the tips received do not bring their hourly wage up to the state’s minimum salary of $7.25 per hour, their employer is required to make up the difference.

4. Has the minimum wage for tipped employees increased in North Carolina recently?

As of 2021, the minimum wage for tipped employees in North Carolina is $2.13 per hour, which has not changed since 1991. However, if an employee’s tips do not bring their hourly wage up to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, their employer is required to make up the difference. There have been ongoing discussions and proposals to increase the minimum wage for all workers in North Carolina, but no changes have been implemented at this time.

5. Are there any pending changes to the tipped minimum wage in North Carolina?

As of 2021, there are no pending changes to the tipped minimum wage in North Carolina. The state follows the federal tipped minimum wage rate of $2.13 per hour, which has not been changed since 1991.

6. Can a tipped worker afford a living wage in North Carolina?

A tipped worker in North Carolina may struggle to afford a living wage, depending on their job and income level. The federal minimum wage for tipped workers is only $2.13 per hour, which means that their income largely relies on tips from customers. In North Carolina, the state minimum wage for tipped employees is the same as the federal minimum of $2.13 per hour.

According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, the living wage for a single adult with no children in North Carolina is $12.93 per hour. This takes into account basic expenses such as housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and taxes. For a single parent with one child, the living wage jumps to $25.45 per hour.

This means that even if a tipped worker receives tips that bring their hourly rate up to the state or federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour (the non-tipped minimum), they would still fall short of a living wage in North Carolina.

Furthermore, many tipped workers may not receive enough tips to reach the minimum wage and are often paid significantly less than this amount by their employer. Tipped workers also face unpredictable and fluctuating incomes based on factors such as seasonality and customer behavior.

In order for a tipped worker in North Carolina to afford a living wage and meet basic expenses, they may need to work multiple jobs or rely on public assistance programs like food stamps or housing subsidies.

Overall, it can be difficult for a tipped worker in North Carolina to afford a living wage based solely on their job as server or bartender. Many advocates for fair wages argue that servers should receive at least the full minimum wage instead of relying on tips from customers to make ends meet.

7. How does North Carolina’s minimum wage for tipped employees compare to neighboring states?

North Carolina’s minimum wage for tipped employees is the federal minimum wage of $2.13 per hour, which is the same as neighboring states South Carolina and Georgia. Tennessee has a higher minimum wage for tipped employees at $2.30 per hour, while Virginia has a lower minimum wage of $2.13 per hour with a provision that the employer must ensure that the employee’s tips and wages equal at least the state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

8. Are employers required to make up the difference if a tipped worker’s wages fall below the standard minimum wage in North Carolina?

No, employers are not required to make up the difference if a tipped worker’s wages fall below the standard minimum wage in North Carolina. However, employers must ensure that their employees receive at least the state’s minimum wage when their wages and tips are combined. If an employee’s tips do not bring their total compensation to meet or exceed the standard minimum wage, the employer is responsible for paying the difference.

9. Do cities within North Carolina have their own separate tipped minimum wage rates or is it consistent throughout the state?

Cities within North Carolina do not have the authority to set their own tipped minimum wage rates. The state’s minimum wage, including the tipped minimum wage rate, is consistent throughout the state and is set by the North Carolina Department of Labor.

10. Has there been any discussion of increasing the minimum wage for tipped employees in North Carolina?

Yes, there has been ongoing discussion and debate about increasing the minimum wage for tipped employees in North Carolina. Currently, the minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour, which has not been increased since 1991. Advocates for increasing the minimum wage argue that this rate is too low and does not provide a livable income for workers in the service industry. However, some business owners and employers argue that an increase in the minimum wage would lead to higher labor costs and potentially result in job loss or increased prices for consumers. Legislators have proposed bills to raise the minimum wage for tipped employees, but they have not yet been passed into law. The issue remains a topic of discussion among politicians, advocacy groups, and business owners in North Carolina.

11. Does North Carolina have a different minimum wage for servers versus other types of tipped workers?

Yes, North Carolina has a different minimum wage for servers and other types of tipped workers. The minimum wage for tipped workers is $2.13 per hour, as long as the employee receives enough tips to make up the difference between $2.13 and the regular minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. If the employee’s tips do not bring them up to the regular minimum wage, the employer is required to make up the difference.

However, if an employee works at a “gratuity” restaurant, where tips are shared among all employees, they must be paid at least $3.18 per hour in addition to their tips.

12. How does North Carolina’s current tipped employee minimum wage compare to federal standards and neighboring states’ rates?

North Carolina’s current tipped employee minimum wage is $2.13 per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage for tipped employees.

Neighboring states’ tipped employee minimum wages vary, with South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia also having a $2.13 per hour minimum wage for tipped employees. However, Maryland and Kentucky have higher tipped minimum wages at $3.63 and $4.00 per hour respectively.

Some states have eliminated the tipped worker exemption altogether and require that all workers be paid at least the full state minimum wage before tips are considered. These states include Florida, Washington D.C., Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Alaska, California, Oregon, and Washington.

Overall, North Carolina’s tipped employee minimum wage is on par with most neighboring states but lower than those that have eliminated the tipping exemption.

13. In North Carolina, are employers allowed to use tips towards fulfilling their obligation to pay the standard minimum wage for employees?

Yes, employers in North Carolina are allowed to use tips towards fulfilling their obligation to pay the standard minimum wage for employees. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers to take a tip credit against their minimum wage obligations as long as the employee’s tips and the employer’s cash wages combined equal at least the full minimum wage. However, if an employee does not receive enough tips to make up the difference, the employer is required to make up the difference and pay the full minimum wage.

14. Is there a plan to increase the tip credit percentage in North Carolina, which currently has one of the lowest rates nationwide?

There are currently no plans to increase the tip credit percentage in North Carolina. The state’s minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage for tipped employees. However, if a tipped employee’s tips do not bring their total hourly wage up to at least $7.25 (the federal minimum wage for non-tipped employees), then the employer must make up the difference. Any changes to the tip credit percentage would require legislative action at either the state or federal level.

15. Are there exemptions from paying the state’s established tip credit rate for certain industries or professions in North Carolina?

Yes, there are exemptions from paying the state’s established tip credit rate for certain industries or professions in North Carolina. These exemptions include but are not limited to:

1. Agricultural workers: Agricultural employees who are primarily engaged in farming operations and earn a fixed hourly wage are exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements, including the tip credit.

2. Domestic service employees: Employees who perform household work in a private residence, such as housekeepers and nannies, are exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements, including the tip credit.

3. Amusement and recreational establishments: Employees who work in amusement or recreational establishments that operate on a seasonal basis or part-time basis, such as golf courses or ski resorts, may be paid a special minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour for the first 90 days of employment.

4. Tipped computer professionals: Certain computer professionals who earn at least $27.63 per hour and meet other specific criteria may be exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements, including the tip credit.

5. Student learners: Students who work part-time while enrolled in high school or college are exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements for up to 20 hours per week.

6. Apprentices and trainees: Employees who are employed under an apprenticeship or training program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor may be paid a special minimum wage rate for the time they spend learning on-the-job skills.

7. Commissioned sales employees: Employees whose primary duty is making sales on behalf of their employer may be exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements if they meet certain criteria.

It is important to note that these exemptions vary by state law and should be thoroughly researched before being applied to specific situations.

16. Can legislators override local laws regarding the establishment of a separate tipped worker minimum wage rate in [State?

That depends on the specific laws and regulations in [State]. In some states, legislators can pass laws that override local ordinances or regulations. In other states, local governments may have more authority over setting minimum wage rates for tipped workers. It is best to consult with legal experts or government officials in [State] for a more definitive answer on this issue.

17. Has North Carolina recently adjusted its tip pooling laws affecting server wages?

Yes, in 2018, North Carolina passed a law that allows employers to require tipped employees to participate in a tip pooling arrangement. This means that employers can now require servers to share their tips with other restaurant staff, such as bartenders and bussers. However, the employer must still meet all minimum wage requirements and cannot retain any of the pooled tips for themselves.

18. How do North Carolina’s current hourly wages for non-tipped workers compare with those applied specifically to restaurant personnel?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for non-tipped workers in North Carolina is $24.34 as of May 2018. This includes all industries and occupations.

In the food services and drinking places industry, which includes restaurants, the average hourly wage for all workers was $11.32 as of May 2018.

It is important to note that this overall average for the food services industry also includes tipped workers, who typically receive a lower base wage with tips expected to make up the difference. The federal minimum wage for tipped workers in North Carolina is $2.13 per hour.

So while restaurant personnel may have a lower average hourly wage compared to non-tipped workers across all industries, this does not necessarily reflect on their actual earnings when factoring in tips received.

19. In North Carolina, are separate restaurants and other establishments categorized differently with regards to applying differing hourly rates for employees who receive tips?

According to the North Carolina Department of Labor, all employees who regularly receive tips must be paid at least $2.13 per hour. This includes employees at restaurants and other establishments such as bars and hotels that serve food or beverages. Tips received by employees may be used to fulfill the difference between the minimum wage rate and the hourly rate paid by their employer.

However, if an employee’s total wages including tips do not equal the minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour, the employer is required to make up the difference.

In summary, all employees who receive tips in North Carolina are subject to the same hourly rate regardless of their specific job or establishment type.

20 Where can I access (or has anyone correlated) information about how each of the US states and territories have approached minimum wage laws for tipped workers?

There are several sources where one can access information about how each US state and territory has approached minimum wage laws for tipped workers:

1) National Employment Law Project (NELP) – NELP provides a comprehensive overview of the minimum wage laws for tipped workers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Their website (https://www.nelp.org/publication/tipped-wage-chart/) includes a chart that outlines the state’s tipped minimum wage, cash wage, and whether tip pooling is allowed.

2) Department of Labor (DOL) – The DOL’s Wage and Hour Division website (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/tipped-employees) has a section dedicated to tipped employees. It provides detailed information on state-specific guidelines for calculating tipped employee wages, as well as links to relevant state labor department websites.

3) Economic Policy Institute (EPI) – The EPI offers an interactive map on their website (http://www.epi.org/minimum-wage-tracker/) that displays the current minimum wage rates for both regular and tipped workers in each state.

4) Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC United) – ROC United is a non-profit organization that advocates for improved wages and labor rights for restaurant workers. They have produced a report called “The Tipped Wage in America” which provides information and analysis on each state’s tipped minimum wage laws. The report can be accessed here: http://rocunited.org/reports/the-tipped-wage-in-america/.

Additionally, you may find relevant information on each individual state’s government websites or by contacting local organizations or advocacy groups that focus on worker’s rights.