Housekeepers in Palm Beach and South Florida are seeing a surge in demand and salaries, with wages often exceeding $150,000 and bidding wars between mansion owners becoming common. The mass exodus of wealthy individuals from high-tax states to Florida has led to a record need for household staff in elite Florida enclaves, particularly Palm Beach. Staffing agencies are reporting an increased demand for roles such as butlers (now referred to as “hospitality managers” or “estate managers”), nannies, chefs, drivers, and personal security personnel.
The shortage of housekeepers has created challenges for wealthy homeowners, as many of the new residents in Florida purchased large homes and require assistance with cleaning. The competition for cleaning staff has driven wages up significantly, with housekeepers now earning $45 to $50 an hour, compared to $25 an hour in 2020. Some experienced housekeepers in Palm Beach are making between $120,000 and $150,000 per year, in addition to benefits like 401(k) plans, health care, and overtime pay. However, the severe shortage of qualified housekeepers has posed difficulties for staffing agencies.
According to industry experts like April Berube, founder of The Wellington Agency, the spike in demand for household staff in Palm Beach and Miami is unprecedented. Bidding wars between wealthy homeowners have become a common occurrence, as clients are willing to pay top dollar for experienced and skilled housekeepers. Melissa Psitos, founder of Lily Pond Services, shared that a Florida client who initially offered $75,000 a year for a housekeeper ended up paying $110,000, which was considered reasonable for the market. Executive housekeepers, who oversee a team of housekeepers and laundresses, can earn even higher salaries, with some reportedly making $250,000 annually.
The shortage of qualified candidates has prompted considerations of launching a school to teach high-end housekeeping skills and train more individuals to enter the field. Berube mentioned that there are specific skills required to work in fine homes, from moving quietly and unnoticed throughout the house to properly cleaning antiques, flatware, fine art, and delicate linens. Staffing agencies are actively recruiting and posting “Help Wanted” ads throughout West Palm Beach to meet the demand for experienced housekeepers, as clients are becoming increasingly frustrated with the scarcity of qualified candidates.
While the boom in demand for household staff has been beneficial for housekeepers in terms of higher salaries and benefits, it has presented challenges for staffing agencies in finding suitable candidates for their clients. The unique skill set required for working in wealthy homes, coupled with the limited pool of experienced housekeepers, has led to an increase in wages and competition among mansion owners. Despite the difficulties in finding qualified staff, the trend of wealthy individuals relocating to Florida shows no signs of slowing down, indicating that the demand for household staff in elite enclaves like Palm Beach will likely continue to rise in the foreseeable future.
