Unfortunately the US has a tipping culture enshrined in law. So businesses can legally pay their employees who may potentially receive tips far below minimum wage.
Not all states have a different tipped wage. I am from one of the states that doesn't have a different tipped wage. Servers get paid at least the state minimum with many making at least $15/hr. However, due to the majority of the country having tipped wages we are still expected to tip 15-25%.
People cant separate the cultural expectation of tipping from the reason the expectation exists. I find it mildly infuriating that the reason tipping exists isn't even present in my state but I am still expected to tip.
Unfortunately the US has a tipping culture enshrined in law. So businesses can legally pay their employees who may potentially receive tips far below minimum wage.