Here in WA state, the minimum wage per hour is $15.74 (higher in some areas). Tipping culture says 20%, but that’s generally to support lower paid waitstaff in areas that can pay less than minimum wage by employers. Where/What are you tipping and what kind of service would you expect for a 20% tip?
Here in Maine, the minimum tipped wage is $6.90 while the standard minimum wage is $13.80. We eat out so rarely, and generally only as part of a celebration, so we tend to tip %30 or sometimes higher just to make another person’s day better too. It helps that we’ll hit a family owned hole in the wall where the really great food is, rather than an overpriced chain. It’d be great if it was higher, but given how dependent our state is on seasonal tourism it’s a tough ask/sell for year round establishments.