12 Professions Beyond Restaurant Workers Who Live Off Tips (2024)

There’s been an increase in the number of places where you’re asked to tip employees, and it can be confusing to decide when you’re actually supposed to tip.

Tipping can add 10% or more to your cost and drain your wallet during a night out or just going about your daily routine, but there are some workers who truly depend on them. Knowing whom to tip and how much can help you lower your financial stress.

You may go for a special night out and decide to splurge on valet parking.

Regardless of whether you pay a fee for the valet or not, it’s a good idea to have a few dollars in cash on hand to give a little tip to the valet. Consider tipping them around $2 to $5 or go higher for excellent service.

Bartenders usually get a tip — 15% to 20% of the tab — so factor in that cost when you’re ordering a cheap beer or a fancy drink.

And don’t forget to take some cash with you for events with open bars like parties or weddings. You may not be paying for your drinks, but you should still tip the bartender.

You may enjoy getting a cup of coffee in the morning or as a pick–me-up in the afternoon, and there are plenty of coffee shops in neighborhoods.

Typically, you should tip about 15% of your order, so take a few bucks in cash on your coffee run for the barista. She may take more care to make your extra-fancy coffee.

Check your Instacart, Shipt, or other grocery-delivery company to see if it has a line to tip your delivery driver. You should add 15% to the total.

When you tip, think about how complicated your order is or how the volume of groceries they’re picking up for you.

Have you ever gone out to a fancy restaurant and taken some extra money to tip your waiter?

You also may want to consider taking a few bucks into the restroom with you to tip a restroom attendant. He or she may help you with towels for your hands, breath mints, or other necessities.

You may tip your waiter when you’re in a sit-down restaurant, but you should also tip the person who delivered the food you ordered from a restaurant.

There’s usually a line for the tip from large delivery retailers like UberEats or GrubHub. You also may want to tip the local pizza delivery or Chinese food delivery as well. Expect to add 15% for the driver who brings your order to your home or office.

Fewer hotels have bellhop service, but you’ll be thankful for these assistants if you have a few bags or you’ll be staying for a number of days.

Make sure you have $2 for the first bag and $1 for each additional bag to tip the bellhop. This tipping guidance also applies to skycaps at the airport or conductors on a train.

Another hotel job that may need a tip is the housekeeper who tends to your room.

A good rule is to leave $4 or $5 each morning before you go out for the day so you cover each housekeeper, as they can change from day to day.

There are some fun options for you to enjoy out on the town, like gambling with friends at your local casino.

Keep a few chips nearby when playing games like blackjack and poker to tip the dealer at your table, especially if you end up playing a few hands.

Hair stylists usually get a tip so be prepared to add some extra cash to your bill.

Hair stylists should be tipped based on the cost of a haircut, style, and color, especially if you get more services than just a typical haircut.

There has been an increase in rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft in recent years, or you may be in a city where cabs are easily available.

Drivers usually get a percentage of the cost of the trip — a 15% to 20% gratuity. When you’re booking a ride to the airport or just for errands around town, make sure you factor in a few more dollars when estimating the cost.

You may be excited to celebrate your wedding day, but there are plenty of people who need to be paid as part of the celebration.

Remember to set some cash aside to tip your wedding officiant regardless of whether they are a religious or secular officiant.

With so many prompts asking for extra cash, it can be frustrating trying to decide who deserves to get tipped and who doesn’t. Yet for those in service jobs, tips are expected.

And if you decide to earn income outside of work, you’ll appreciate tips for the work you may do.

Regardless of how much you make in tips, the IRS expects you to report all tipped income on your federal tax return.