Arizona’s Tipping Crisis: Are You Part Of The Problem?

At the core of our society rests the most important people on earth. They make our food, clean our homes, and ensure that every little thing in this giant machine of a country goes swimmingly.

Service workers take care of everything so you can rest easier, and all they ask for is something small in return. Unfortunately, Arizona doesn't seem to care.

How Important are Tips, Really?

As of 2019, tips and gratuities made up around 14% of restaurant workers pay, a not-insignificant amount. That number has skyrocketed in the years since, mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now sits at closer to 23%. This means that almost a quarter of service workers pay is up to the customer, and whether or not they feel as if they should tip.

In short, service workers rely on a constant stream of tips from the consumer to just stay afloat, but Arizona couldn't seem to care less.

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How Bad is Tipping in Arizona?

The short answer to that question is simply: not good. In the state of Arizona, tips average to about 20.2% of service workers paychecks. This is the seventh largest in the nation, meaning that it takes extra generosity to keep these workers above the poverty line.

The average tip amount here is 15.29%, which is the 11th lowest, meaning that the average consumer is stingier here than anywhere else in the country. This is a miserable look, making life for service workers extremely difficult in the Grand Canyon State.

Some voters had hoped that Proposition 138 would help level the playing field, but after an overwhelming rejection at the ballot box, Arizona must find new ways to help bump wages and tips for service workers here.

[Axios][Arizona Legislation]