FT Lauderdale area wages ! (hotels, school, casinos)

[MCARDOZO]

Hello everyone, I just have a quick question. I'm considering moving down to southern florida before years end and I am going to be moving in with a family member so housing is not gonna be an issue. Im planning to start school down there, I'm 23 but deciding to start school now, most likely just a 2yr degree, don't need more than that. In the meantime would be working, Im from Massachusetts and wages 13-16/hr are fairly typical and very accessible to get with just a HS diploma. My question is, are wages like that accessible down in Florida? Im talking mainly about customer service positions, you know typical mon fri 9-5 jobs.

ANy input would be great, thanks !!

[MrKnight]

The reality is that wages in South Florida are SIGNFICANTLY lower than up north so be prepared for that, you are NOT going to find an entry-level hourly job in South Florida that pays what you are getting paid in Massachusetts, BUT with that said, keep in mind that the Cost of Living is also lower, there is not state income tax, and in your case living with family will provide you with HUGE savings in the housing department which is one less expense you have to worry about..

With that said, I hate to break your bubble but most customer service jobs are NOT "9-5" jobs, I am not sure where you got that data but unfortunately you are very wrong.. The largest abundance of jobs in South Florida is in the service industry, this includes hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, casinos, transportation, etc.. all of which will require you to work weekends, holidays, nights, etc... Being flexible with your schedule is a MUST, otherwise you will have a VERY difficult time finding a job.. Best of luck!

[Eeko156]

A customer service job in Ft. Lauderdale that pays $13.00 - $ 16.00? Perhaps in outbound sales.


A hotel desk clerk and other comparable positions will pay around $10.00 an hour with varied hours.

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by Eeko156

A customer service job in Ft. Lauderdale that pays $13.00 - $ 16.00? Perhaps in outbound sales.


A hotel desk clerk and other comparable positions will pay around $10.00 an hour with varied hours.

All of my customer service reps are paid in the $13 - $15 range. Am I overpaying?

The reps we fire all seem to brag about how they are making $15+ elsewhere.... Which you, of course, take with a grain of salt.

But $12 - $14 for customer service seems pretty darn doable in South Florida from my experience with a ton of hiring in that range.

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by MrKnight

The reality is that wages in South Florida are SIGNFICANTLY lower than up north so be prepared for that, you are NOT going to find an entry-level hourly job in South Florida that pays what you are getting paid in Massachusetts, BUT with that said, keep in mind that the Cost of Living is also lower, there is not state income tax, and in your case living with family will provide you with HUGE savings in the housing department which is one less expense you have to worry about..

With that said, I hate to break your bubble but most customer service jobs are NOT "9-5" jobs, I am not sure where you got that data but unfortunately you are very wrong.. The largest abundance of jobs in South Florida is in the service industry, this includes hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, casinos, transportation, etc.. all of which will require you to work weekends, holidays, nights, etc... Being flexible with your schedule is a MUST, otherwise you will have a VERY difficult time finding a job.. Best of luck!

You are confusing "service" and "customer service" -- there is plenty of customer service type jobs that are normal hours in South Florida. Just about every business has customer service reps.