Here’s how much Americans ‘guilt tip,’ according to new research

Americans are “guilt tipping” much less in 2025, according to new research.

The survey explored 2,000 people’s approaches to tipping and found the average respondent spends close to $300 a year tipping more than they’d like to due to social pressure.

Results showed the average person reluctantly tips $24 per month more than they feel is fair due to the pressure or awkwardness of not doing so.

The guilt-induced cost of gratuity adds up to $283 over the course of a year, according to the yearly study conducted by Talker Research.

That figure, however, is a substantial drop from 2024’s tipping pressure tally, with Americans spending $453 in guilt-led tips in 2024, seeing this year’s guilt spending falling 38% in comparison.

The results may suggest the American public is resisting tipping pressures more in recent times; this year’s survey saw respondents “guilt tip” 4.2 times per month on average, versus 6.3 times in Talker Research’s 2024 findings.

A fifth of those studied (20%) say they always or often tip higher because they feel pressured or guilty. Although nearly half (29%) say this is rarely or never the case for them.

Thirty-seven percent of those polled have noticed that the tipping options have moved higher than they used to be, though more people noticed this last year (48% said they noticed the same in 2024).

Is the cost of living impacting tipping levels?

Forty-one percent agree that it’s led to reduced tips. Just 11% say their tipping has increased in 2025.

When asked generally about their tipping in 2025, over a fifth (22%) say they now tip less across the board.

Although a significant number say empathy for workers has contributed to their tipping, 32% said they tip more now specifically to support workers.

And a further eight in 10 (78%) think businesses should pay employees more over relying on tips.

2025 Tipped under pressure/guilt (year) $283.20
2025 Tipped under pressure/guilt (month) $23.60
2025 Times per month ‘guilt tipped’ 4.2

2024 Tipped under pressure/guilt (year) $453.60
2024 Tipped under pressure/guilt (month) $37.80
2024 Times per month ‘guilt tipped’ 6.3

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans; the survey was administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 9 and May 15, 2025.