All employees covered by federal and state wage and hour laws are usually entitled to the minimum wage. This salary is either the federal government's minimum or the state's minimum wage, whichever is higher. The rules are a little more complex for jobs that require getting tips. For example, if you make more than $30 in tips per month, your employer is only required to pay you the federal minimum wage of $2.13 per hour. This rule only applies if the gross compensation, including salaries and tips, is equal to the minimum wage for each hour worked.