Texas Minimum-Wage and Tip-Credit Rules: What Hospitality Workers Need to Know

Texas Minimum-Wage and Tip-Credit Rules: Key Takeaways

Texas minimum wage aligns with the federal rate of $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009.
Employers can pay tipped hospitality workers a cash wage of $2.13 plus a tip credit up to $5.12, totaling at least $7.25 per hour.
Tip pooling is allowed only among employees who regularly receive tips; managers and non-tipped staff are excluded.

This article explains what Texas hospitality workers need to know about minimum wage and tip-credit rules.

It covers employer obligations, tips versus service charges, tip pooling, and legal compliance essentials.

Understanding Texas Minimum Wage and Tip Credit Rules

In Texas, the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal standard, and has not changed since 2009.

Tipped employees, such as servers and bartenders, can be paid a direct cash wage of $2.13 per hour. Employers may then claim a tip credit of up to $5.12 per hour to meet the required minimum wage.

This means the employee’s combined cash wage and tips must equal at least $7.25 per hour. If their tips fall short, the employer must pay the difference to comply with wage laws.

When hiring tipped roles like bartenders, understanding how to hire a barista can offer valuable insights applicable to bartending staff recruitment.

Tip Credit Provisions Texas Hospitality Workers Need to Know

Notification Requirement for Tip Credit in Texas

Employers must inform tipped employees about the tip credit provisions. This includes detailing:

The cash wage paid ($2.13/hour).
The amount of tip credit claimed by the employer.
Any tip pooling arrangements in place.

While Texas does not mandate written notice, providing clear documentation benefits both parties by preventing misunderstandings or disputes.

For best results in staffing for such roles, see our comprehensive restaurant staff hiring guide.

Eligibility for Tip Credit in Texas Hospitality

Not all tipped workers qualify for the tip credit. To be eligible, employees must customarily and regularly receive more than $30 per month in tips.

Tip Pooling Rules for Texas Hospitality Workers

Tip pooling is legal under Texas law but only under strict conditions designed to protect employees’ tips and wages.

Eligible Participants in Texas Tip Pools

Only employees who regularly receive tips, such as servers, bartenders, and bussers, may be included in tip pools.

Inclusion of non-tipped employees like cooks, dishwashers, or host staff in tip pools is prohibited when employers claim a tip credit and pay the reduced cash wage.

Learn more about bartender job description for a clearer understanding of tip credit eligibility.

Exclusion of Management from Tip Pools in Texas

Managers, supervisors, and owners cannot participate in tip pools or receive tips from these pools unless they provide direct and sole service generating these tips.

Tip Pool Contribution Guidelines in Texas

While Texas law does not set an explicit cap on tip pool contributions, requiring employees to contribute up to 15% of their tips is generally accepted as reasonable practice.

Compensation for Dual Jobs and Non-Tipped Duties in Texas

Hospitality workers often perform a mix of tipped and non-tipped tasks. Texas wage law treats these duties differently regarding tip credit eligibility:

Related duties: Non-tipped tasks related to the tipped occupation performed during or immediately before or after tipped work can be counted for tip credit purposes.
Unrelated duties: Extended periods performing unrelated tasks require full minimum wage pay without tip credits.

Service Charges vs. Tips in Texas Hospitality

Mandatory service charges collected by employers are not categorized as tips under Texas law.

As a result, the portion of service charges allocated to employees cannot offset the employer’s minimum wage obligations, meaning those amounts do not replace tips for calculating wages owed.

Understanding the distinction is key for employers, as described in can restaurant owners take tips.

Record-Keeping and Compliance for Texas Hospitality Employers

Employers must maintain accurate and transparent records of wages, tips, and hours worked for all tipped employees.

Clear communication regarding tip policies, cash wage rates, and tip credit usage is essential to comply with both federal and state law and to avoid legal disputes.

Regularly auditing tip pool allocations and ensuring proper payments are crucial compliance best practices.

For employers looking to understand compliance better, the recruitment hospitality job posting compliance spotlight is an excellent resource.

Resources for Texas Hospitality Workers on Minimum Wage and Tip Credits

For further information on Texas minimum wage and tip-credit regulations, workers and employers can reference these official resources:

Texas Minimum-Wage and Tip-Credit Rules: Conclusion

Texas hospitality workers are entitled to a minimum wage of $7.25 per hour through a combination of a cash wage and tips.

Employers may pay a $2.13 cash wage and apply a tip credit if employees regularly earn substantial tips, but they must ensure total compensation meets or exceeds the minimum wage threshold.

Proper notification, adherence to tip-pooling regulations, and distinction between tips and service charges help protect workers' rights and ensure fair pay.

Clear record-keeping and compliance with legal standards are essential for both employers and employees to maintain transparency and avoid disputes in Texas’s hospitality industry.

To better manage hospitality teams, explore restaurant manager training checklist for guidance on leadership and training within restaurants.

01. What is the current minimum wage in Texas?

Texas follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, which has not changed since 2009.

02. Who is eligible for tip credits in Texas?

Employees who customarily and regularly receive more than $30 per month in tips are eligible for tip credits in Texas hospitality roles.

03. Can managers participate in tip pools in Texas?

Managers, supervisors, and owners are excluded from tip pools unless they provide direct and sole service generating the tips.

04. Are service charges considered tips under Texas law?

No. Mandatory service charges are not classified as tips and cannot be used to offset the employer’s minimum wage obligations.

05. What are best practices for employers regarding tip pooling?

Employers should maintain clear communication on tip policies, keep transparent records, and regularly audit tip pool distributions to ensure compliance.