A shortage of housekeepers in Palm Beach has driven wages up to a remarkable $150,000 a year. Here’s how Estate Managers can help.
For your clients (current and future), upkeep of their Miami home just got a whole lot more complicated – and more expensive. A tsunami of wealthy newcomers from high-tax states like New York has flooded South Florida, creating a record demand for household staff.
I’m not exaggerating when I say the current situation around housekeeping services in Palm Beach is unlike anything I've seen in my entire career.
This "mass wealth migration" has sparked bidding wars for housekeepers, nannies, chefs, drivers, and even personal security personnel. However, the biggest challenge for the affluent homeowners that make up our target market seems to be finding qualified housekeepers to maintain their estates.
The issue is twofold:
Firstly, the influx of wealthy residents has created a surge in demand for domestic staff, leaving a limited pool of qualified workers.
Secondly, competition from hotels, resorts, and businesses vying for cleaning staff has further tightened the labor market. This has resulted in skyrocketing wages for housekeepers. Staffing agencies report typical hourly rates jumping from around $25 in 2020 to a staggering $45 or even $50 today.
As an estate manager, I don’t need to tell you that housekeepers for these homes need a skillset that goes beyond standard cleaning. Maintaining a luxurious estate requires an approach that’s both meticulous and “invisible”.
The kind of housekeepers we work with must be masters of navigating a large home silently, ensuring the homeowner's privacy is never compromised. Additionally, caring for valuable possessions is paramount. They need the expertise to handle delicate tasks like cleaning antiques, polishing fine silver, and properly laundering precious linens.
Experienced housekeepers working for luxury estates in Palm Beach can expect a total compensation package ranging from $120,000 to $150,000 annually. This includes benefits such as health insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and the potential for overtime pay.
For many homeowners, this translates to a significant increase in household expenses, adding another layer of pressure to maintaining their luxurious lifestyles in Florida.
Ultimately, it leads them to re-evaluate their staffing strategies. And this is where we come in as Estate Managers.
We understand and empathize with the challenges they face, where overseeing all aspects of household staffing, from recruitment and payroll to scheduling and performance management, has turned their dream home into a second job.
Here’s how we can help:
Sourcing Qualified Talent: We have the expertise and network to find elite housekeepers who consistently deliver exceptional service. We go to battle for them in the tougher-than-ever recruitment market, saving them the blood sweat and tears and giving them the satisfaction of knowing they’ve got the best possible candidates.
Competitive Wages & Benefits: We have our finger on the pulse of the current market value for housekeeping services and can negotiate fair wages and benefits packages to attract and retain qualified staff. We save homeowners money in the long run by avoiding costly turnover.
Streamlined Operations: We handle scheduling, payroll, and performance management, freeing homeowners from administrative headaches. We create a customized plan to meet their specific needs, ensuring households run smoothly and efficiently.
Peace of Mind: Knowing their estate is being cared for by hand-picked and highly-qualified professionals allows them to relax and actually enjoy the beautiful place they live in.
In our line of work, we get to help people reconnect with their spaces when they get lost in the stress of it all. This dramatic change in our industry provides a great example of that, and for the smart estate manager, a great opportunity.