Aaliyah Cortez from Austin reveals meager earnings of $9.28 for 70 hours of bartending, ignites heated discussion on tipping practices

Aaliyah Cortez, a bartender from Austin, has ignited a heated debate on social media after sharing her pay slip, revealing her earnings of $9.28 for working 70 hours at a sports bar. The TikTok video sheds light on the challenges faced by service industry workers in the United States who rely heavily on tips to make a living, igniting a debate on the tipping culture in the US.

In the video, Cortez breaks down her pay, emphasizing that she receives only $2.13 per hour without tips. After working over 70 hours, her total pay, after federal taxes, social security, and Medicare deductions, amounted to a mere $9.28. The video serves as a call for patrons to consider the financial struggles of service industry workers and underscores the importance of tipping.

While Cortez acknowledges that she receives additional income from tips, she points out the inadequacy of the hourly wage for sustaining a livelihood. The video has sparked a divided response, with some viewers advocating for changes in the tipping culture and others expressing sympathy for the challenges faced by service industry workers.

As discussions unfold, Cortez’s video contributes to the ongoing dialogue on fair compensation for service workers in the US.