I have a friend who started as a waiter when he was 16 years old. He’s worked his way up to some pretty decent high end restaraunts. He makes very good money on his tips. Like $300-400 a night during the week, and more on weekends.
It’s late nights and it can be tedious. But if you are good and working in the right place…you can do OK.
Hubby has worked part time at a high-end steakhouse for more than a decade. He’s been a server for over 40 yrs and it’s not really a job for him. He routinely averages $50/hr, mainly because of his experience, but if he calls out sick or we go on vacation, he only gets $9 an hour. Things like that are why I think the “no tax on tips” law is fair.