Tipping & Tip Laws in Virginia (2026)
In Virginia, the tipped cash wage is $2.13/hr. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $10.64/hr, so the combined cash + tip minimum is $12.77/hr (federal floor: $7.25 / $2.13 tipped). Like the rest of the U.S., Virginia follows national tipping norms — tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the 5.8% combined sales tax.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · independent editorial research project
Tipped Minimum-Wage Law in Virginia
Full State Min
$12.77/hr
Tipped Cash Wage
$2.13/hr
Max Tip Credit
$10.64/hr
Tip Credit?
Yes
Virginia's full minimum is $12.77; the tipped cash wage is the federal $2.13 floor with a $10.64 credit.
Standard Tip Percentages in Virginia
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 Virginia, 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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Our calculators apply the 5.8% combined Virginia rate automatically — your tip stays on the pre-tax subtotal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Virginia Beach in 2026?
Virginia Beach follows the Virginia statewide minimum wage of $12.77/hour, effective January 1, 2026 (scheduled to rise to $13.75/hour on January 1, 2027). Virginia law does not allow cities or counties to set their own minimum wage, so Virginia Beach has no separate local rate. Tipped employees may be paid the federal $2.13/hour cash wage as long as tips bring total earnings to at least $12.77/hour. (Source: Virginia Department of Labor and Industry; Va. Code § 40.1-28.10.)
What is the tipped minimum wage in Virginia in 2026?
In Virginia, the tipped cash wage is $2.13/hour and employers may take a tip credit of up to $10.64/hour, for a combined cash-plus-tip minimum of $12.77/hour (the federal floor is $2.13/hour tipped). If an employee's tips don't bring them to the minimum, the employer must make up the difference. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor, July 1, 2026.)
Does Virginia allow a tip credit?
Yes. Virginia allows a tip credit, so an employer can count up to $10.64/hour of an employee's tips toward the minimum wage, paying a cash wage of $2.13/hour. The combined total must reach $12.77/hour. Some localities or employer types may set higher cash wages.
What is the sales tax rate in Virginia for tipping math?
Virginia's combined state + local sales tax averages about 5.8% (state rates). TipFig applies your local rate to the total only — your tip is always calculated on the pre-tax subtotal, so you never tip on the tax.
Other State Tipping Guides
Tipped 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; verify with your state labor department before making wage or payroll decisions. Tip percentages are general etiquette guidelines, not legal advice. Sales-tax rates are approximate combined state + local averages.