Tipped & Minimum Wage in Sterling Heights, Michigan (2026)
Sterling Heights, Michigan follows the Michigan state minimum wage of $13.73/hour in 2026. There is no separate municipal wage that TipFig identified as of 2026-08-29. Below: the state tipped-wage rules as they apply in Sterling Heights, plus tipping etiquette.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · independent editorial research project
Minimum-Wage Law in Sterling Heights (Michigan state)
State Min
$13.73/hr
Tipped Cash Wage
$5.49/hr
Max Tip Credit
$8.24/hr
Tip Credit?
Yes
Standard Tip Percentages in Sterling Heights
Restaurants
15–20%
Delivery
15–20%
Rideshare
15–20%
Bars
$1–2/drink
Hotel
$2–5/night
Salon/Spa
15–20%
These percentages are general U.S. etiquette norms. In Sterling Heights, the tipped cash wage is lower than the full minimum, so tips are a core part of server income — 15–20% on the pre-tax subtotal is the expected norm.
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Tip Calculator for Sterling Heights, Michigan
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Sterling Heights, Michigan in 2026?
Sterling Heights does not have a separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance that TipFig identified as of 2026-08-29, so employers in Sterling Heights apply the Michigan state minimum wage of $13.73/hour. This can change — confirm the current rate with the Michigan Department of Labor. (State figures: U.S. Department of Labor, July 1, 2026.)
Does Sterling Heights have its own minimum wage or follow Michigan state law?
As of TipFig's 2026-08-29 review, Sterling Heights does not have a separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance that TipFig identified, so it follows Michigan state law ($13.73/hour). Some cities in other states do set local rates; always verify with the Michigan Department of Labor, since local laws change.
What is the tipped minimum wage and tip credit in Sterling Heights?
In Sterling Heights, the tipped cash wage is $5.49/hour and employers may take a tip credit of up to $8.24/hour, for a combined cash-plus-tip minimum of $13.73/hour. If tips don't bring the employee to the minimum, the employer must make up the difference.
How much should I tip in Sterling Heights?
Like the rest of the U.S., Sterling Heights follows national tipping norms — tip 15–20% on the pre-tax subtotal at restaurants, bars, and for delivery and rideshare, not the 6% combined sales tax. In Michigan, tipped workers already earn at least $13.73/hour, yet 15–20% remains the customary gratuity because tips supplement take-home pay.
Other Michigan Cities
More State Guides
State minimum-wage figures are from the U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026), retrieved 2026-08-09. Minimum wages change frequently; verify with the Michigan Department of Labor before making wage or payroll decisions. Tip percentages are general etiquette guidelines, not legal advice. Sales-tax rates are approximate combined state + local averages.