Living on $2.13 an hour, plus tips  minimum wage tiffany kirk
Tiffany Kirk, who is raising a three-year-old daughter, finds it
hard to make ends meet because her bartending tips fluctuate.
The tips that Tiffany Kirk earns at the "Howl at the Moon" piano
bar determine whether she'll be able to keep the lights on at
home.  That's because the 24-year-old bartender and single mom's
minimum hourly wage at the Houston nightspot is $2.13.  Kirk is
one of 3.3 million workers who earn about that amount, which is
also the federal minimum wage for tipped workers. Other workers
in this category include hair salon employees, waiters, car wash
workers, and wheelchair attendants at airports. These workers
rely primarily on tips for their income.  Under labor law,
employers have to make sure that workers earn at least $7.25 --
the federal minimum wage for all workers. So, if workers don't
earn enough in tips, employers must make up the difference and
pay what is known as a "tip credit." While Kirk's employer pays
her the di