National Tipping Trends: Connecticut Leads in Dollar Tips Amid Selective Gratuities (2026)

Consumers are more selective about tipping, yet the practice is expanding into non-traditional services and growing in dollar value. A 2025 analysis of 89,068 verified transactions found the average tip is $12.44, with percentages clustering 14%–16% for restaurants and fast food, and 17%–18.3% for relationship-driven services like barbering and beauty. State-level insights: Connecticut leads at $13.06 average tip, followed by Wisconsin ($9.54) and South Carolina ($9.54). Percentage-driven tips differ by economic context: a $50 restaurant check at 20% yields $10, while a $80 haircut with 15% tips generates more for a micro-beauty service. Key implications: Remove unearned gratuity prompts to preserve tipping legitimacy; build fair compensation models for new entrants; and ensure fast settlement for micro-businesses. Tipping reflects service quality more than percentage generosity.