Few tip-dependent vocations vary as much in potential earnings as waiting tables. Workers in greasy spoon restaurants may take home a small fraction of the tips earned by their counterparts in high-end establishments. Inside the restaurant, however, tips are often split among the staff, limiting the individual waitperson's income.
While waiting tables is a demanding job that usually involves working off hours, it can also offer the kind of flexibility that many workers crave.
There are 2.2 million waiting jobs in the U.S. and that number grows by about 9% a year, according to the BLS.
