In Vermont, the minimum wage employers must pay tipped employees for 2009 is $3.91 per hour ($3.72 per hour for 2008). If the combination of tips and the $3.91 per hour do not average at least the minimum wage ($8.06 per hour for 2009), the employer must make up the difference. Effective January 1, 2008, and each January 1 thereafter, the basic tip wage rate will increase the same as the minimum hourly wage.
Effective July 1, 2007, a service or tipped employee means all those, in either hotels, motels, tourist places, and restaurants who customarily and regularly receive more than $120 per month in tips for direct and personal customer service.