Theme park desk jobs (Orlando: apartments, how much, house)

[curiocity]

How much do theme park desk jobs pay. For example, job as HR coordinator, or public relations personnel, or communications person etc. Thanks. Are these hourly or salaried jobs? At Disney, Seaworld etc.

[thepinksquid]

Wages in Orlando are generally low. About a year and a half ago I worked for Disney at an "office job" that was skilled IT related. I only made $12/hour. It was kind of amusing considering my job required a college degree and 3 years experience in related work.

Salaried jobs pay a bit better, however it's still comparatively low. I know that one person I worked with that was with Disney for over 20 years made about $45k/year at his middle-level management job.

My experience is that generally speaking people work for the theme parks because they love Disney, or Universal, or whatever. They want the lifestyle of working and going to theme parks. They're not working to be wealthy, or to even make what they "deserve," they're working to get by and because they enjoy whatever company they're working for.

[curiocity]

Thanks for the info. How do these people get by. Can you pay a mortagage and grocery shop for 12/hour? Even 45K income will be hard pressed to save anything after expenses.

[thepinksquid]

Originally Posted by curiocity

Thanks for the info. How do these people get by. Can you pay a mortagage and grocery shop for 12/hour? Even 45K income will be hard pressed to save anything after expenses.

I know that many of the people I worked with either rented, or owned in very inexpensive places (i.e., tract housing in Polk County). Most of the people that owned homes were married with two incomes to get by. Otherwise, I knew several people that shared 2 bedroom apartments with 3-4 people. :/

When I lived in Orlando, we rented, and my husband (then fiance) made more than I did. I also made about the same amount that I did with my 40 hour/week Disney in doing freelance web work. Needless to say, I don't work there (or live in Florida for that matter) anymore.

[Practice]

Originally Posted by curiocity

Thanks for the info. How do these people get by. Can you pay a mortagage and grocery shop for 12/hour? Even 45K income will be hard pressed to save anything after expenses.

I often wonder the same thing. From what I have seen, the low wage earners at Disney, Universal, etc, tend to live in an apartment or house where they can have roomates to share the expenses (if they're single). If they're married, then generally they need the dual income to have a decent lifestyle.

It's exactly as thepinksquid said. People who work for Disney long term do it because they love the company, not because they're making good money. They like to feel like they're part of the magic, or whatever. It's a lifestyle choice for them. It's definitely not for me, but hey more power to them.