Tipping has become a hot topic in the U.S., with many consumers experiencing “tipping fatigue” due to an increase in gratuity requests. But despite the ongoing debate, a new nationwide survey conducted by TradingPedia has uncovered a surprising trend—one generation is significantly less generous when it comes to tipping. This raises the question: which generation tips the worst in America?

State-by-State Tipping Averages

The survey revealed varying tipping habits across the country. Below is a breakdown of the average tip percentage by state:

State	Average Tip Percentage
Delaware	21.25% (Best Tippers)
West Virginia	20.87%
Indiana	20.45%
New Hampshire	20.12%
Iowa	19.97%
South Dakota	19.85%
North Dakota	19.62%
Nebraska	19.58%
Vermont	19.43%
Montana	19.31%
Maine	19.24%
Missouri	19.11%
Wisconsin	18.97%
Minnesota	18.83%
Kentucky	18.72%
Pennsylvania	18.65%
Ohio	18.51%
Michigan	18.47%
Tennessee	18.32%
Colorado	18.21%
Georgia	18.10%
North Carolina	17.98%
South Carolina	17.85%
Arizona	17.72%
Texas	17.60%
Florida	17.53%
Oregon	17.49%
Washington	17.40%
California	17.40% (Worst Tippers)

Tipping Trends Across the U.S.

The survey, which polled 2,005 American adults from February 24-28, 2025, explored tipping habits based on geography, gender, and age. Here’s what the data reveals:

State	Average Tip Percentage
Delaware	21.25%
West Virginia	20.8%
Indiana	20.5%
New Hampshire	20.3%
Iowa	20.1%
California	17.4% (Lowest)
Washington	17.4%

State-by-State Breakdown

The best tippers reside in Delaware, averaging a 21.25% gratuity. This trend aligns with Delaware’s low tax environment, making residents more comfortable with leaving extra for service workers.

On the other hand, California and Washington rank as the worst tipping states, with an average of 17.4%. Around 17% of Californians admit to tipping under 15%, and 11% don’t tip at all. This further supports the study’s findings on which generation tips the worst in America.

Generational Tipping Habits

While tipping behaviors vary by state, age also plays a key role. Contrary to the assumption that older individuals—who may be more financially stable—would tip the most, the data suggests otherwise.

Generation	Average Tip Percentage
Millennials (27-42 years old)	19.49% (Best Tippers)
Gen Z (18-26 years old)	19.31%
Gen X (43-58 years old)	18.21%
Baby Boomers (59-76 years old)	16.4% (Worst Tippers)

Millennials emerged as the most generous tippers, averaging 19.49% at restaurants. Gen Z follows closely behind at 19.31%, suggesting that younger generations are more consistent in gratuity.

In contrast, Baby Boomers—who tend to tip well in sit-down restaurants—often skip tipping in other settings, such as takeout and grocery store checkouts. Their overall average tip sits at 16.4%, the lowest of all generations. This solidifies their reputation when determining which generation tips the worst in America.

Do Men or Women Tip More?

The survey also explored gender-based tipping habits and found men tip slightly higher than women.

Gender	Average Tip Percentage
Men	19.07%
Women	18.6%

Though the difference is minimal, men tend to leave a bit more on the table than women.

Why Is Tipping Changing?

Several factors contribute to the shifts in tipping habits:

• Tipping Fatigue – More businesses, including takeout and self-checkout kiosks, are requesting tips, leading to frustration.
• Economic Pressures – Inflation and rising costs may make consumers hesitant to tip generously.
• Digital Payment Trends – The rise of digital payments has increased awareness of tipping culture, especially among younger generations.

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My Unbounded Life’s Conclusion: The Future of Tipping in America

While tipping culture continues to evolve, this survey highlights that Millennials and Gen Z are the most reliable tippers, while Baby Boomers and some regions, like California and Washington, tip the least. This clear divide helps answer the question: which generation tips the worst in America?

Will tipping norms change further, or will the practice decline altogether? Only time will tell. In the meantime, service workers may want to keep an eye out for Millennials at their tables—they’re the most likely to leave a solid tip!

What’s your take on tipping today? Let us know in the comments!

Source: TradingPedia, Nationwide Tipping Survey (February 24-28, 2025)

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