How much does Disney pay the CMs?

[WDSearcher]

When I first started at WDW, I had a Master's Degree, had just finished 6 years as a manager with a local firm (that went out of business), and had a lot of varied skillsets -- technical, administrative, management, etc. I had a very flexible schedule (no kids, no spouse, no special requirements). I started in a "skilled hourly" job at $8.15/hr -- this was 15 years ago. It wasn't great money for someone with a Masters, but I needed the job and I saw good growth potential with Disney. I had a roommate, a used car, and was paying off a student loan. I did just fine, between overtime and a side job here and there. Because I was flexible, I got a lot of great opportunities that people who needed more set schedules couldn't take advantage of.

Five years later, I was making nearly $20/hr, having been promoted through the ranks of my area. (Having a post-grad degree helped here.) I went salaried shortly after that, and am now in a managerial capacity, and I make a very good salary. I could be making more, but I really love my job, and prefer to stay in the area I'm in rather than move to another area for more money. I LOVE going to work every day, and have a great office atmosphere with wonderful people to work with. Plus benefits.

And honestly, I wouldn't trade my years "in the trenches" for anything -- I learned a LOT about the Company during that time and a lot about where I wanted my career to go.

Bottom line, though, is that by the time you're an adult, you have the ability to choose where you want to work. No one is putting a gun to your head and making you work at Disney. No one is chaining you to a ride ops location or a turnstile. I once had a CM complain, on and on and on, to me about how he could make more money working at Wal-Mart than he was making at WDW. I finally asked him why he didn't just go there then. His response was, "Because saying I'm a CM at Disney is more impressive than saying I'm an associate at Wal-Mart." Well ... there you go. Part of the "value" to that CM was the association with the Disney name. He was willing -- grudgingly -- to keep a lower-paying job because he felt better saying Disney than Wal-Mart. Disney knows that, too.

 

[PneumaticTransit]

OK ... but who forced you to move to Florida, and who demanded that you work at WDW? It was your choice. If you're not getting paid enough, or your benefits aren't high enough, you have the ability and freedom to go find a job where it pays more and gives you the benefits that you want. No one is forcing anyone to stay at Disney. Disney is paying people what every other company their size is paying people for the same job. In many cases, Disney is paying more.

If you were getting paid more at McDonald's, nothing is stopping you from going back there. I don't understand why it's Disney's fault that you're not making more.

I moved to Florida for college, and started at Disney when I was 18. I really think you are over simplifying things. If you could just walk out and get a great paying job with great benefits there would be no janitors in this world.

I am not entry level, but I've been there done that. I never said it was Disney's fault either. I think all of Central Florida pays low. I was just advising the OP that quitting your job to work for Disney isn't always a great idea unless you want to live off Ramien for a few years until you/choose to advance. Something like 80% of managers started off in the coal mines so to speak. It's not as simple as "I have experience, hire me for a good job".

And I think the commute from Kissimmee to Minnesota would be a little far for me to go work at McDonald's again. I am grateful to have a job, but that doesn't mean I am satisfied with the money.

 

[DisneyObsessive]

whatever they are making, its more than minimum wage here. its only 5.15 here in NYC. so id take a CM job anytime!

 

[momm2four]

However, $37,000 a year isn't a good salary.
pamNC

As a middle school math teacher with 7 years of teaching experience, I'd LOVE to see $37,000. Hmmm...I wonder if they need any math tutors at WDW. I bet Pinnochio could use a little more schoolin'

Lori P.

 

[Nanabug02]

I agree with WDSearcher on this issue....

I worked in the hospitality/customer service industry for five years and the "front line" for this field is generally lower paying than what most people in business jobs realize. Ask your local waiter/cashier/retail clerk/other theme park worker what they make, and you'd probably be surprised at that too.

The customer service industry is a very tough field....you have to be a special type of person to want to choose it as a career. Especially at Disney, because they only have the best working for them. Think of it as a kind of calling. If Disney paid higher hourly rates than other businesses in the same industry, people would just want to work there cause the money is better.

The way it is right now, people work there for a love of Disney and a passion to make people happy. AND they get to say they are a CM at Disney instead of cashier at Wal-Mart. Also, as it has been pointed out, if people wanted to move up in Disney, I'm sure it's possible. School loans & grants are out there for the taking to further their education. I'm just glad to hear Disney does have good benefits to help their employees other ways.

 

[honey11dog]

My husband has considered trying to get a job at Disney. He is almost finished with his Ph.D. I am a huge Disney fan and I have relatives in Florida. We looked into the cost of living in the area and it is pretty high. I don't know how CM making minimum wage can afford to live in the area. And if you have children, you may have to consider private school. $37,000 a year is not much for Central Florida area.

 

[safetymom]

I found the cost of living in FL is better than it was in PA. Also home prices, utilities, etc. are better here than PA. Salaries tend to be lower here though than PA.

 

[Alice Sr.]

When I first started at WDW, I had a Master's Degree, had just finished 6 years as a manager with a local firm (that went out of business), and had a lot of varied skillsets -- technical, administrative, management, etc. I had a very flexible schedule (no kids, no spouse, no special requirements). I started in a "skilled hourly" job at $8.15/hr -- this was 15 years ago. It wasn't great money for someone with a Masters, but I needed the job and I saw good growth potential with Disney. I had a roommate, a used car, and was paying off a student loan. I did just fine, between overtime and a side job here and there. Because I was flexible, I got a lot of great opportunities that people who needed more set schedules couldn't take advantage of.

Five years later, I was making nearly $20/hr, having been promoted through the ranks of my area. (Having a post-grad degree helped here.) I went salaried shortly after that, and am now in a managerial capacity, and I make a very good salary. I could be making more, but I really love my job, and prefer to stay in the area I'm in rather than move to another area for more money. I LOVE going to work every day, and have a great office atmosphere with wonderful people to work with. Plus benefits.

And honestly, I wouldn't trade my years "in the trenches" for anything -- I learned a LOT about the Company during that time and a lot about where I wanted my career to go.

Bottom line, though, is that by the time you're an adult, you have the ability to choose where you want to work. No one is putting a gun to your head and making you work at Disney. No one is chaining you to a ride ops location or a turnstile. I once had a CM complain, on and on and on, to me about how he could make more money working at Wal-Mart than he was making at WDW. I finally asked him why he didn't just go there then. His response was, "Because saying I'm a CM at Disney is more impressive than saying I'm an associate at Wal-Mart." Well ... there you go. Part of the "value" to that CM was the association with the Disney name. He was willing -- grudgingly -- to keep a lower-paying job because he felt better saying Disney than Wal-Mart. Disney knows that, too.

Perfectly stated

 

[Bracho]

This is rather offensive to me. Disney is one of the *better* places to work in Central Florida, but it doesn't pay much. Many people stay for the health insurance benefits. So... you're saying if I need more money I should work my 40 hours a week at Disney and then get a night job and neglect my family so I can pay my bills. Or maybe I should quit and get a job someplace else that pays more but doesn't provide me insurance and put my family's health at risk?

Sorry, I'm not here to get into the parks for free or get a discount on merchandise. These really do nothing to help my family or bills. I would MUCH rather get paid more than get a few bucks off a Mickey doll.

Many CM moved from up north (like me) where the sames jobs would pay at least $5 more an hour. Things are not cheaper in the south except for homes, but many CM can't afford them either. Why is it so difficult to understand that a grown adult would want to be paid more than $7/hour? It took me 2 years at Disney to make more money than I did working at McDonald's when I was 16.

Like any job, when you apply, you are told what the job details are and what the pay scale is... so you go into the job with your eyes wide open.. what is the problem?? Just because Disney is a big company and sells fun doesn't mean anything. Most companies pay what they "have to" pay and if a company can still get employees with a lower scale... they do it.. that's not new at all... Some companies give a nice benefits package and some don't. As an employee... we know that going in....

I understand that folks want more money for what they do and they blame the company when they don't get it but like the person said.. you have the option to move on and that is not being offensive to me, it is being real. I made pretty good money when I worked in the casinos in Las Vegas but not at first. Entry level positions pay less and as time goes on your pay scale moves up or you move on. When and if you have enough expereince to get the good jobs then you make better money but then again, I always knew what I was going to get paid BEFORE I took the job.

Disney has to answer to alot of people, shareholders, merchants and the list goes on and on, they are not in business to only pay the employees.. the market rate is set at a level and that is what they pay.

I guess I just don't understand what the problem is...

 

[bluedoggy]

I am a tried and true Disney Nut.. my dream is to retire and work at WDW. DH said he could drive the buses, or monorail, me.. I'd even clean rooms just to be there. I worked at a Disney Store in Milwaukee several years ago at Christmas. I am a realtor, was working full-time 45+ hrs a week, and going to the store evenings & weekends. Most fun I've ever had for minimum wage! I have always worked hard, many times for next to nothing, but the satisfaction of feeling I gave my best, made it all worthwhile. So my advice is to do whatever you have to do to take care of your immediate needs, but never give up on the dream of doing what really makes you totally happy. Then it isn't a JOB anymore.

 

[n2mm]

They don't get paid nearly enough for what they do. The long days and long hours are surely tough to do. I try to be extra nice to the CMs we meet because I surely would not want to walk in their shoes. Bless them!

 

[ReninDetroit]

I think there are so many people who want to work at Disney that they can get away with the low pay. A huge percentage of people employed by WDW are only employed for a small amount of time. A huge chunk are college students only there for a semester, and they're provided with housing so pay is even lower. And a big chunk is retirees who do it for the benefits and the fun of working at Disney.

I would love a job at WDW but I'm gonna keep looking until I find one that is salaried and not hourly wage. Hotel desk staff is probably salaried, all management positions are salaried, imagineering, etc is salaried...

 

[LSUDis]

As a middle school math teacher with 7 years of teaching experience, I'd LOVE to see $37,000. Hmmm...I wonder if they need any math tutors at WDW. I bet Pinnochio could use a little more schoolin'

Lori P.

Teachers, anywhere, definitely deserve more money.

 

[TSR6]

A huge chunk are college students only there for a semester, and they're provided with housing so pay is even lower.

They still pay rent. The only part of it being "provided" is that they don't have to sign a X month lease, and they don't have to search for an apartment when they get down there. It's all setup.

They still pay a weekly rent on their apartment though.

 

[mjmcca]

My husband was on the international program ages ago. The rent was deducted from his salary as was the price of the ticket to get him to the states and to return him home.

CM on the college and international programs definately pay rent .

 

[DisneyDotty]

They don't get paid nearly enough for what they do. The long days and long hours are surely tough to do. I try to be extra nice to the CMs we meet because I surely would not want to walk in their shoes. Bless them!

Amen! I know if I were to work at WDW and saw all these families having fun day after day, I might get just a tad jealous and cranky. I admire CMs for keeping the magic flowing for the rest of us--imagine putting up with tourists for a living!

 

[CPer'sMom]

She only got $7.00 per hour and didn't make enough money to live on even with Disney's subsidized housing. Most kids in the program have to depend on mom & dad to pay their living expenses. For most kids the novelty wears off quickly after long days and late nights of being cheering all the time!

When did she make $7 an hour on the college program? My daughter is a CP right now and they don't make that much!!

 

[TSR6]

When did she make $7 an hour on the college program? My daughter is a CP right now and they don't make that much!!

I'm guessing that the $7 was either a typo, or possibly one of the advanced internships.

 

[dsneygirl]

When I was a CM in 97-98 I made $5.95/hr. When I was in a tipped position as a server in Le Cellier we made...wait for it $2.50/hour. I was completely dependent on tips.

 

[AllyBri]

They don't get paid nearly enough for what they do. The long days and long hours are surely tough to do. I try to be extra nice to the CMs we meet because I surely would not want to walk in their shoes. Bless them!

What a true statement.