This is the surprising hourly pay for working as a Mall Santa
You may only have a limited timeframe to don the red suit, but being a mall Santa Claus can be a nice earner over the holidays.
During Christmas, many people take up extra seasonal jobs, especially in the retail and hospitality sectors. However, if you want to add more festive cheer to your job, you could consider becoming a Santa Claus. According to ZipRecruiter, the median hourly wage for a mall Santa Claus is $25.75, meaning you can make $309 in a 12-hour shift. Assuming someone worked five days a week for three weeks, someone could make around $4,635 before taxes. Moreover, some shopping centers pay even more. Depending on the company, you may need to provide your own Santa suit, although many employers will provide one for you.
According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2012, some Santa Clauses can earn up to $20,000 during the holiday season alone. However, as the current job postings demonstrate, few contracts are likely to be so valuable. The most profitable contracts are typically those for mall Santas and those employed by photography companies to capture cherished holiday memories.
Tips for finding work as a Santa Claus in shopping centers
If you’re looking for work as a mall Santa, there are a few things you should know. First, many shopping centers partner with photography and event planning businesses to find Santas. So, if you want to increase your chances of being hired, consider reaching out to these types of companies. The BLS spoke with various Santas, and many said that the hiring process is typically done through referrals. “Professional Santas are often hired through referrals, so meeting other Santas can be an important source of work,” reads the report.
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Secondly, it’s important to have your Santa suit and resume ready, as these jobs are seasonal and only available from early November until after the holidays.
Lastly, each shopping center may have different employment standards for their Santas. Some may require a real white beard, while others may accept synthetic alternatives. Nevertheless, opportunities for Santas of different ethnicities are increasing, and if you are interested in the gig, you should get in touch with your local mall.