New Jersey Tipping Rates Fell Below National Average

Data from the first quarter of 2026 shows New Jersey residents tipped an average of 18.7 percent.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Employment

Bold flat-color illustration of a restaurant plate, tray, and napkin, representing service industry economic trends. — New Jersey customers tipped an average of 18.7 percent in the first quarter of 2026, falling below the national average of 19.5 percent. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Is the standard of expected tipping becoming more reasonable for your household budget?

New Jersey customers provided an average tip of 18.7 percent in the first quarter of 2026. This figure sits below the national average tip of 19.5 percent recorded during the same period.

Why it matters

Understanding state-level tipping trends provides insight into regional consumer behavior and service economy compensation. These figures reflect how tipping norms fluctuate across the country, contrasting with both neighboring states and national benchmarks.

New Jersey customers tipped an average of 18.7 percent during the first quarter of 2026, trailing the national average of 19.5 percent. Delaware held the highest state average at 22.1 percent, while California had the lowest at 17.3 percent.

The players

Toast

This is a cloud-based restaurant software company that provides point-of-sale systems and generates detailed industry analytics.

The details

Tipping metrics are derived from industry data collected by Toast. Meanwhile, New Jersey requires a minimum cash wage of $6.05 per hour for tipped workers in 2026, significantly higher than the federal minimum of $2.13 per hour, with employers mandated to ensure workers reach at least $15.92 per hour.

The data collection period for these tipping figures occurred during Q1 2026.
The minimum cash wage for tipped workers in New Jersey is set for the year 2026.

Macro View

This report updates the tipping figures previously established by the Toast first-quarter 2026 restaurant industry tipping trends. These regional variances mirror broader historical cycles of consumer spending patterns observed across different state economies.

For New Jersey residents, these figures highlight how their local tipping habits compare to the national standard. While tipped workers in the state benefit from a higher minimum cash wage of $6.05, the data underscores the importance of regional economic factors in service industry compensation.

The takeaway

Tipping averages are significantly influenced by regional norms and economic conditions rather than a single national standard. Customers should remain aware of their state's unique wage requirements for service workers when determining their personal tipping practices.