In a surprising turn of events, housekeepers in Palm Beach, Florida, are now earning salaries exceeding $150,000 a year, all thanks to the massive demand stemming from the influx of wealthy individuals moving to the area. This trend is particularly prominent in elite Florida enclaves like Palm Beach, where the migration of affluent residents from high-tax states such as New York has created an unprecedented need for household staff.

The shortage of housekeepers for upscale homes and luxury hotels has triggered a substantial increase in hourly wages, with rates skyrocketing from around $25 per hour in 2020 to $45 or even $50 per hour today, according to industry experts. April Berube, the founder of The Wellington Agency, expressed astonishment at the current situation, stating, “I have been placing staff for 30 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Housekeepers with experience in managing affluent households in Palm Beach are reportedly commanding annual salaries ranging from $120,000 to $150,000, in addition to benefits like 401(k) plans, healthcare coverage, and overtime pay. The demand for various household roles, including butlers (now referred to as ‘hospitality managers’ or ‘estate managers’), nannies, chefs, drivers, and personal security personnel, has also surged significantly in response to the growing need for domestic staff.

Melissa Psitos, the founder of Lily Pond Services, shared a recent anecdote where a client in Florida initially aimed to hire a housekeeper for $75,000 annually but ended up offering $110,000 due to prevailing market conditions. Executive housekeepers, who oversee teams of housekeeping staff and laundresses, can command even higher salaries, reflecting the intense competition for experienced household professionals.

The unprecedented demand for housekeepers in Palm Beach and South Florida has led to bidding wars between mansion owners and a challenging recruitment landscape for staffing agencies. With the ongoing wealth migration to the region showing no signs of slowing down, the lucrative opportunities for household staff in these affluent communities are expected to persist, reshaping the traditional dynamics of domestic service employment.