

In Palm Beach, Florida, a significant influx of wealth has led to a drastic increase in demand for household staff, particularly housekeepers, with some earning between $120,000 and $150,000 annually. This surge is attributed to wealthy individuals relocating from high-tax states like New York. The shortage of qualified housekeepers has sparked bidding wars among homeowners, pushing hourly wages from $25 in 2020 to $45-$50 currently. Staffing agencies are overwhelmed, and some are considering training programs to meet demand.


Since 2020, the hourly wages for housekeepers in South Florida have seen a significant increase. According to staffing agencies, the typical pay for housekeepers has escalated from about $25 an hour in 2020 to between $45 and $50 an hour currently6. This surge in wages is attributed to a high demand for household staff driven by a wealth migration to Florida from high-tax states like New York, particularly affecting elite areas such as Palm Beach6. This demand has led to a shortage of housekeepers, further pushing up the wages as homeowners and businesses compete to hire from a limited pool of qualified staff.