Since ours in the US is generally a percentage of the bill, people in expensive restaurants can make more. Do they work harder? Do they have fewer tables so less checks are tipping? 20% tips on 5 hundred dollar tables is $100 every 60-90 minutes, but shifts are usually only a few hours. So maybe $3-400 for a 4-5 hour dinner shift? In a diner you’d are probably half that per table but for more tables and faster turnover. What’s a good wage?
At fancy restaurants, diners sit for longer and have more if an experience, and we’re not going to rush them at all. So, 20% on four (because each table needs more attention) $100 tables, two or three times a night.
Except $100 is low for even two people, and tables will often be four or even six. Figure $2K a night in sales and you’re closer to reality, $3K on the weekends or for a brunch shift. So at 22% (because anyone who can serve at that level pulls more than the 20% baseline) you’re looking at $450-650 in gross tips.
But because no one works alone at that level, expect that a third to half of that will go to tipping out the bar staff, bussers, food runners, and backwaiters, so more like $250-400 in a six-hour shift, or about $50/hr… plus wages. At a fancy place. Based on my experience.
If you’re slinging eggs at a diner you’re much more subject to walk-in traffic but less subject to high rollers. You’re also much more subject to the local cost of living, so here in Chicago you’re probably still making $20-40/hr in tips after tipout, but in South Dakota a lot less… and your wage will be lower, too.
I have to quibble with the idea that a fine dining server works no harder than an egg-slinger, though, as someone who’s done both. Fine dining takes a lot more attention, patience, and training; a lot of the work is preparation and goes unseen by the patrons — as it should be.
On our honeymoon, where we stayed we got a credit that we could use towards the spa or the high-end fine dining restaurant on the site. We chose the restaurant and even with the credit I think our bill was over $200, before tip. It was by far the best meal I’ve ever had, though, and our waiter was excellent, far beyond anything I’ve ever had before or since. He had extensive experience in fine dining, previously working many years in New York City at famous places, I think the Waldorf Astoria or something like that. That was when I understood the level of skill that can be attained in that career and how important that is to the fine dining experience.