In Texas, a young bartender named Aaliyah Cortez decided to speak out. She shared a video on TikTok that stunned millions. In the video, Aaliyah holds up her paycheck after working nearly 71 hours. Her total? Just $9.28.

@f.aa.ded PSA #psa #fyp #foryou #bartender #server #work #tips #chooseone #CleanFreshHype #photography101 #hardwork #viral ♬ original sound – bronté

“This is why you should always tip your bartenders and servers,” she said in the video. “Anyone who waits on you or provides a service for you.”

Even though she had worked hard, her paycheck was tiny because she earned just $2.13 per hour — the federal tipped minimum wage. After taxes, Medicare, and Social Security were taken out, there was almost nothing left.

Why Tipping Matters So Much

Aaliyah explained that tips are how many service workers survive. “Of course, I got tips,” she said. “But this is what I got for my hourly. This is why you tip.”

In Texas, and 15 other states, employers are allowed to pay tipped workers just $2.13 an hour. If workers don’t earn enough in tips to reach $7.25 an hour, the employer must make up the difference — but that still isn’t close to a living wage.

According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single person in Texas needs to make $21.82 per hour to afford basic living expenses. That’s far above what most service workers make — even with tips.

One of the Worst States for Tipped Workers

Texas is one of the hardest places to live for people in the service industry. The “poverty wage” in the state is $7.52 — barely above the federal minimum.

In contrast, Washington State is leading the way with a $16.66 minimum wage for all workers, whether they earn tips or not.

Aaliyah followed up with another video where she shared more thoughts. “I don’t agree with state laws that let restaurants pay below minimum wage and expect customers to make up the rest,” she said.

@f.aa.ded WATCH MY LAST VID #psa #fyp #foryou #bartender #server #work #tips #hardwork #viral #serverlife #bartenderlife ♬ original sound – bronté

She added, “I make good money in tips — but not everyone does. Some people just don’t tip, even though our state expects them to.”

Be Kind: Tip Those Who Count on It

If you don’t feel like tipping the movie ticket-taker or a grocery store cashier who earns a regular wage, that’s okay. But please remember the workers who count on your kindness to pay their bills.

Sometimes a few extra dollars can make a big difference.

What you’re view on this? A bit much? Let us know on Facebook.