Where Americans Will and Won’t Leave Tips [2024 Survey]

Whether at a fast-casual restaurant or a coffee shop, the question of tipping at checkout has become a nationwide source of stress. With tipping culture at an all-time high, we set out to discover where Americans are most — and least — likely to tip, beyond just restaurants.

Our survey of 3,300+ Americans uncovers where “tipflation” is hitting hardest, revealing the rise of guilt tipping driven by digital prompts. Are those preset tip screens pressuring us to tip more than ever? Read on to find out which business types are causing the most tipping tension across the country.

Where Are Americans Most and Least Likely To Tip?

Amidst the tip creep trend of 2024, from fast-casual restaurants to food delivery apps to pet services, our survey findings shed light on places where tipping requests are either embraced or met with serious resistance.

According to responses, Americans are least likely to tip at:

1. Auto shops
2. Sporting event concessions
3. Fast-casual restaurants (i.e., Chipotle, Panera Bread)

Americans are least likely to leave extra cash at auto shops, sporting event concession stands, and fast-casual restaurants (i.e., Chipotle, Panera Bread) — and it’s easy to see why. 82% of Americans don’t tip when prompted at auto shops as they’re seen as places for professional services with already high costs, making tipping less expected. 

76% of Americans don’t tip at concession stands at games, while 53% don’t tip at fast-casual restaurants. Concessions and fast-casual restaurants often offer quick, no-frills service, so when customers are prompted to tip, many are left scratching their heads. With minimal interaction and a faster pace, tipping here can feel out of place compared to traditional dining experiences.

Interestingly, Nebraskans are the least likely to tip at auto shops compared to other states, North Carolinians are most likely to skip tipping at concession stands, and Tennessee residents are the least likely to tip at fast-casual restaurants.

On the flip side, Americans are most likely to tip when using:

1. Food delivery apps (i.e., Doordash, Grubhub)
2. Ride-share services (i.e, Uber, Lyft)
3. Grocery delivery services (i.e., Instacart)

Americans are most generous when using food delivery apps. A whopping 93% of respondents always tip their DoorDash and Grubhub drivers. This generosity likely stems from the convenience factor—having food brought right to your door feels like a premium service, and customers are eager to show their appreciation. Tipping is also high for ride-share services, with 88% of Americans tipping their Uber or Lyft drivers. 86% do the same for grocery delivery.

100% of respondents from Louisiana, Missouri, and Rhode Island tip their food delivery drivers. Louisiana residents are also most likely to tip their ride-share and grocery delivery drivers. Clearly, Louisiana takes the crown for showing love to service workers, whether they’re bringing your groceries or getting you to your next destination.

When it comes to food pickup orders, Americans are almost evenly split on whether to tip or not — 49% usually tip on pickup orders, while 51% don’t tip. It’s a gray area for many, likely because the service falls somewhere between full-service dining and quick transactions. 

For those who do leave a tip at the above businesses, 15% or less of the bill is the most common amount. The exception? Pet services like groomers and doggy daycare, where 20% tips are more common — because we love treating those caring for our furry friends!

As for the most annoying places to receive tip requests? Fast food restaurants, convenience stores, grocery store self-checkout kiosks, movie theaters, and even bathrooms top the list for survey respondents. It seems like tipping fatigue sets in when the service feels minimal or automated, making those prompts feel more frustrating than justified.

The States Where Tipflation Is Most and Least Prevalent

Tipflation refers to the increasing expectation to tip in more places and at higher amounts, often prompted by digital tip screens or payment platforms. 

The states where tipflation is most prevalent are:

1. Vermont
2. Rhode Island
3. Hawaii
4. Massachusetts
5. Louisiana

In states like Vermont, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Massachusetts, tipping is the norm, with over 68% of residents regularly tipping across the 10 business types listed above. It’s interesting that 3 of the top 5 tipping states are in New England, where tipping culture seems ingrained in everyday transactions.

The states where tipflation is least prevalent are:

1. California
2. Utah
3. Arkansas
4. Connecticut
5. Kansas

When it comes to tipping, states like California (55.6%) and Utah (56.9%) rank at the bottom of the list. One reason for this could be that Californians, living in a high-cost state, may not feel compelled to tip for smaller, everyday transactions like food pickup or fast-casual restaurants. Meanwhile, Utah’s lower tipping percentage could be influenced by cultural norms or a more conservative approach to spending on everyday services.

Generationally, Baby Boomers are the least likely to leave tips at the 10 businesses listed above, while the youngest generation, Gen Zers, are the most likely. This trend hints at how digital tipping prompts may be shaping younger consumers’ behaviors.

Is Tipflation at an All-Time High?

Tipping in the U.S. has officially reached its tipping point — 90% of Americans say it’s gotten out of hand. With preset tip screens becoming a regular feature, 70% of respondents admit they feel pressured to tip when faced with these digital prompts. Even more striking, 54% say these tip screens outright anger them, and nearly 80% of Americans have noticed an increase in the suggested tipping amounts on digital payment platforms or tip screens in 2024.

Most Americans (72%) think “10%, 15%, 20%” is the most appropriate set of tipping options at places like fast-casual restaurants or coffee shops, rather than the higher “15%, 20%, 25%” ranges often seen today. 

Quality of service still reigns supreme, with 91% of people tipping based on the level of service received rather than a fixed percentage. Interestingly, Americans are split almost evenly on whether to tip on a pretax or post-tax total, with 51% opting for the post-tax amount and 49% opting for the pretax amount.

Methodology

To find where Americans are most and least likely to tip, we surveyed 3,328 Americans across 46 states and a wide range of demographics. This survey took place between August 30 and September 5, 2024. The following states were not included due to limited survey responses: Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

Our survey focused on business types where tipping is less traditional but where tip requests have increased in recent years. The 10 business categories we examined were auto repair services, sporting event concessions, fast-casual restaurants, food pickup orders, coffee shops, pet services, bartenders who serve beer only (not cocktails or mixed drinks), grocery delivery services, ride-share drivers, and food delivery apps.

Final Thoughts

As tipping culture evolves and the cost of living continues to climb, it’s clear that Americans are feeling the strain. With nearly 90% agreeing that tipping expectations have become excessive, the pressure is real. The rise of preset tip screens has only heightened that stress, with 70% feeling obligated to tip and over half expressing frustration. Add in the fact that suggested tipping amounts are creeping up, and it’s no wonder many are fed up with the constant prompts.

Yet, even amid tipping fatigue, the majority still value service quality overall. Nearly 91% of respondents say they tip based on how well the service is rather than a set percentage. So, while tipflation may be rising, Americans still want to reward excellent service — just on their own terms. Whether you’re tipping pre- or post-tax, the sentiment is clear: tip where it counts, but enough with the constant pressure!