How much does Disney pay the CMs?

[harleyquinn]

Okay, I give! My DH and I have decided that we're going to pack everything up, move to Florida and work at WDW. So how much can I expect to get paid to be a basic (or not so basic) CM? Since most CMs seem to be teens-early 20s, I assume I will be living in a teeny-tiny apartment or something. Maybe we can just hide somewhere in the World? I can be a pirate!

But seriously, any ideas how much CMs get paid?
Thanks!

 

[Ilovestitch]

I don't think they make much at all- I think its minimum wage or just a little higher. I'm pretty sure the characters make less than $8/hr. I can't see how after taxes that would be enough for a person to live in an apartment and have a car.

 

[Aidensmom]

I know Busch Gardens in Tampa pays about $6.50 - $7.00/hr for most positions, so WDW is probably not much different.

 

[mjmcca]

They dont get paid much we have freidns who work there and I thinkt hey get paid about $8 and hour. They have been working there for years and end doing OT to make ends meet.

 

[Lizzybee]

One of our bus drivers told us lots of retirees work there mostly for the benefits. He was working there for the health benefits and the free park passes. He said Goofy is 72 and has no plans to retire. He said that he worked some ungodly number of days straight but that he didn't mind because he didn't consider it "work" at all.

 

[TimothyG]

If you have a degree or something, you might be able to get some kind of on-site imagineering job. A lot of their professional careers will probably be paid a lot and you'll still be a CM. I would love to work there as a programmer or systems analyst (one can only dream).

 

[punky'smom]

Relative is a maid at All Star. I believe she makes 6.50 an hour. But she has good benefits. She depends on her tips alot too.

 

[miste76]

If only WDW had a dentist on staff... I know where I would be going after school. They have nurses, and even have an MD... but I asked on our BSM tour - no dentists on the disney payroll. I don't understand why not!!!
Maybe if I'm real nice, I can convince them to change their ways!

 

[rabyoga]

If only WDW had a dentist on staff... I know where I would be going after school. They have nurses, and even have an MD... but I asked on our BSM tour - no dentists on the disney payroll. I don't understand why not!!!
Maybe if I'm real nice, I can convince them to change their ways!

I thought about the same thing. I'm a Fitness instructor. I wonder if WDW as a fitness club on site for employees(not just those at resorts). They must need instructors and personal trainers...

A healthy employee(that does inclue dental health) is a better, happy worker.

 

[mjmcca]

If only WDW had a dentist on staff... I know where I would be going after school. They have nurses, and even have an MD... but I asked on our BSM tour - no dentists on the disney payroll. I don't understand why not!!!
Maybe if I'm real nice, I can convince them to change their ways!

I think the Nurses at least the ones at the First Aid stations are agency so they arent really CM after all.

 

[CaipiraBob]

I suspect it's directly related to their yield of salt from the mine.

OTOH, it's a very pretty mine.

 

[TSR6]

I think the Nurses at least the ones at the First Aid stations are agency so they arent really CM after all.

They are part of the Reedy Creek Improvement District / Reedy Creek Emergency Services.

 

[MouseClubMom]

When I started as an hourly CM in 1987 I started at $4.65 an hour!



MCMom

 

[krdisneybound]

I know it must be fun to a certain extent to work at Disney - but if you don't make enough money, get another job and make more money. I really get tired of CM's saying they need this or that because they are "entitled" to more because they don't make enough money. Many of them get 35% discounts on everything and even get their park passes and enjoy the fun that outsiders pay good money for. Then they get their family and friends in free. Not all of them do this, but a great number of them do.

If it is a second job and you get benefits and enjoy it, go for it.

Minimum wage is just not enough money to carry the American family of four these days.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[mattr555]

I'm actually shocked that CMs only get minimum wage. For the amount of forced cheeriness they have to display and the enthusiasm that they must empart into the park guest, you would expect them to be more handsomely rewarded. I think that Disney is taking advantage of the percieved magic of working there as an excuse to pay minimum wage.

It must also be one of the few low paid service jobs in the US where tips are not exchanged.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Relative is a maid at All Star. I believe she makes 6.50 an hour. But she has good benefits. She depends on her tips alot too.

I'm glad you brought that up, I never thought about the maids depending on the tips - I'll be sure to tip from now on. (I have in the past just not seriously or consistently)

 

[imatoad]

Just a quick note, having worked in the hospitality/resort industry for many years, you would be hard pressed to find many positions that pay more than $8/hr. I've worked at ski resorts in areas with very, very, very, hight costs of living, and they don't pay much more. I've also worked, an currently am, in the Atlantic City casino industry, same there, aside from dealers and management. I'm not defending Disney, but rather letting you know, the industry in general does not pay well below the management level. However, I've had more fun, and have met a lot of great people working in the industry, and it's never been boring or mundane, and that's a big perk. Well, Atlantic City is the exception, not the nicest people in the world, okay, some of the most miserable people imaginable.

 

[PamNC]

Hey there - the hourly jobs don't pay that great, but they are considered in-line with theme park jobs. Probably $7.00 - $7.50 an hour to start. I was salaried...worked in Marketing. They started me at $37,000 a year. Not very good really. But, the benefits are wonderful. You get deals galore all over town on everything from apartment rentals, buying a house (closing is often free for Disney employees), restaurants, recreation, pretty much anything. They have a booklet that comes out called Donald's Deals that give you the current discounts. Insurance for me and my husband was like $20 a month...they have different levels of insurance for you to choose from. I think doctor's visits were $5 co-pay. It's a fabulous place to work. I loved it!!!!!!!!!!! We would still be there, but we moved back home for other reasons...not work related. I miss it - but I love being a guest!

PamNC

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I worked at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg a couple of summers ago. We made $7.00 an hour working 70-80 hours a week. I know some people that work at WDW that get paid the same amount. Not enough that's for sure! Especially for being as nice as most CM's are.

 

[Feralpeg]

For those considering getting a job as a CM, my sister recently got a job as a CM. She wanted to work full time, but they told her they could only start her as part time. She is only working a couple of days a week. Each week her schedule is different. Sometimes she works during the day. Sometimes she works at night. Her take home pay so far has amounted to a little over $100 a week after taxes. They said they will try to increase her hours when summer gets here and crowds get heavier. It seems it is difficult to walk into a full time position unless you are salaried.