Connecticut tipped minimum wage (2026)
Note: Rates vary by occupation: hotel and restaurant employees — max tip credit $10.56, minimum cash wage $6.38; bartenders who customarily receive tips — max tip credit $8.71, minimum cash wage $8.23. The Connecticut minimum wage is adjusted annually based on a set formula.
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Federal tipped minimum cash wage is $2.13/hr — but many states require more, and if tips don't bring you to the full minimum wage ($7.25 federal), your employer must make up the difference. Enter your state's tipped minimum as the base wage for an accurate number.
Quick answers
What is the tipped minimum wage in Connecticut?＋
Connecticut has regional or industry-specific rates rather than a single number. Rates vary by occupation: hotel and restaurant employees — max tip credit $10.56, minimum cash wage $6.38; bartenders who customarily receive tips — max tip credit $8.71, minimum cash wage $8.23. The Connecticut minimum wage is adjusted annually based on a set formula. (US DOL, July 1, 2026.)
Can my Connecticut employer take a tip credit?＋
Tip credit rules in Connecticut depend on region or industry — see the DOL table for your situation.
What if my tips don't reach the full minimum wage?＋
Federal law (FLSA) requires your employer to make up the difference whenever cash wage + tips falls below the applicable minimum wage for the pay period. Track every shift so you can prove a shortfall.
Source: U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division (July 1, 2026). Federal floor: $2.13 cash / $7.25 total. Not legal advice — local ordinances (city minimum wages) may set higher rates.
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