Working as a waiter or waitress in the restaurant industry can be tough, especially for those between 45-65 years old. Dealing with impatient and disrespectful customers and being on your feet all day can take a toll. However, one of the biggest challenges is the low pay. In the United States, restaurant owners are allowed to pay their employees less than the federal minimum wage, relying on tips to make up the difference.
It’s shocking to know that in 21 states, servers can be paid as little as $2.13 an hour before tips. As a result, nearly 15% of the nation’s 2.4 million waiters and waitresses live in poverty, compared to just 7% of all workers. It’s disheartening to see that restaurant workers are more likely to rely on public assistance and less likely to have access to paid sick leave or health benefits.