In recent years, housekeepers in some parts of Florida have been able to earn salaries of up to $150,000 due to the surge in demand for household staff such as butlers, nannies, and chefs. The increase in real estate prices in the state as wealthy individuals move into the area has caused this demand.
Experienced housekeepers in areas like Palm Beach are benefiting from this trend with salaries ranging from $120,000 to $150,000. This trend has grown as wealthy individuals continue to relocate from high-tax states like New York to Florida. Competition for cleaning services from wealthy homeowners, hotels, and businesses has driven up the typical pay for housekeepers from $25 an hour in 2020 to $45 or $50 an hour in 2024 according to some agencies.
Many housekeepers are also receiving additional benefits like healthcare, 401(k) plans and other perks. According to April Berube, the founder of The Wellington Agency, there is a severe shortage of household staff due to the boom in demand for these services.
In South Florida, there has also been a surge in demand for roles such as butlers, drivers and chefs. The influx of wealthy homeowners has caused home prices in Palm Beach to soar with the average sale price exceeding $2 million in the third quarter of 2023. Some of the reasons why many wealthy individuals are choosing to relocate to Florida include lack of income tax and year-round good weather.
Notable figures like Oracle founder Larry Ellison, Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump have all moved to Florida recently. Ellison purchased a $173 million estate near Palm Beach while Bezos owns properties on Indian Creek Island South Florida’s Indian Creek Island
