why is it that minimum wage in California for a tipped employee is the federal minimum wage......but yet in North Carolina minimum wage for tipped employee is 2.15 hr. :confused:

California vs North Carolina

Because the two states have chosen to do it differently. CA wage law is not binding on any state but CA; NC wage law is not binding on any state but NC.

just one more question about California and North Carolina......
Are states required to pay the federal minimum wage? I thought that the federal minimum wage is what employers in every state are supposed to pay. Im just wondering.

thanks

You must be paid at least the higher of federal minimum wage or the state minimum wage.

What is the standard for North Carolina...waitresses are paid 2.15 an hour...im confused.......is this legal.......and if it is not......how do you change it?

North Carolina follows the federal minimum wage. Per the link attached, tipped employees must be paid at least $2.13 per hour. Tips must be reported and if you do not make enough in tips to make up the difference of $3.02 per hour, the employer must make up the shortfall.
http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/whdfs15.htm

Oh, and if you want a higher state minimum wage, lobby your state legislators.