Wellington, FL Groom Salary Expectations

[Wilish]

What do comp packages look like for those who have grooms in Wellington, FL (or another comparable market, either year-round or seasonal) look like for grooms?

It would be a fairly relaxed job. There would be a maximum of 4-5 horses (only 2-3 showings during the season, and not every week), and the horses would be on turnout most of the day. The job would be slightly busier during WEF season, but the horses would be primarily off competition the rest of the year. Possible travel to 1-2 shows during the rest of the year for no more than 1-2 weeks at a time. Probably 6-8 hour days absolute max when not showing. Possibility to ride and show, if wanted, but not required.

What is weekly pay for something like this? If you don’t have housing to offer (or offer less housing than they require, like if they have a family) in addition to salary, do you rent an apartment for them? Provide a housing stipend? How many weeks of vacation do you offer? Do you offer insurance? Is night check included in this or do you pay additional for it? How many days off per week (assuming 1)?

[MHM]

The rate I’ve been hearing lately is around $200-$250 per day, plus housing, and day money on show days, typically for a six day week.

If the person has to work the seventh day (if they take turns having Mondays off, for example), then they would also get paid for that seventh day.

[Wilish]

Thanks! Have you heard of grooms demanding specific types of housing? i.e. they will only work for a 2 bedroom + $200 a day? Grooms we are talking to have kids and are dictating the type of housing. We can provide a studio, and are open to them coming with a partner, but it’s wild to me that they’re demanding a specific type of house. Was thinking of providing a stipend and they can get their own housing, but is it common to pay for a groom’s entire family’s housing?

[GraceLikeRain]

@Wilish

Have you heard of grooms demanding specific types of housing? i.e. they will only work for a 2 bedroom + $200 a day? Grooms we are talking to have kids and are dictating the type of housing. We can provide a studio, and are open to them coming with a partner, but it’s wild to me that they’re demanding a specific type of house

QFP because wow. Heaven forbid someone say it’s not feasible for my family to live in one bedroom. $200/day if there are no health benefits and taxes aren’t being withheld is hardly even livable in Wellington even with housing unless you’re expecting them to work 7 days a week and never take a vacation.

[jvanrens]

@Wilish

What do comp packages look like for those who have grooms in Wellington, FL (or another comparable market, either year-round or seasonal) look like for grooms?

It would be a fairly relaxed job. There would be a maximum of 4-5 horses (only 2-3 showings during the season, and not every week), and the horses would be on turnout most of the day. The job would be slightly busier during WEF season, but the horses would be primarily off competition the rest of the year. Possible travel to 1-2 shows during the rest of the year for no more than 1-2 weeks at a time. Probably 6-8 hour days absolute max when not showing. Possibility to ride and show, if wanted, but not required.

What is weekly pay for something like this? If you don’t have housing to offer (or offer less housing than they require, like if they have a family) in addition to salary, do you rent an apartment for them? Provide a housing stipend? How many weeks of vacation do you offer? Do you offer insurance? Is night check included in this or do you pay additional for it? How many days off per week (assuming 1)?

Good on you for checking, but insurance or a good enough pay for them to find a place of their own should be no brainers, though the position sounds good.

[Wilish]

Not at all what I meant - that’s totally reasonable. I offered a stipend instead since the housing I can provide is a one bedroom. Stipend equivalent to a one bedroom because one person is working for me, which they said wasn’t an option. We had to pay 100% of the housing directly and provide it to the entire family. It seems like a wild request. My question is, is it normal? With the stipend, salary, and benefits, comp is about the equivalent of $100k per year. A 2 bedroom would be closer to $130k.

[MHM]

Speaking strictly as a practical matter, if you want to have grooms in a place with a very high cost of living like Wellington, you can either provide them with housing or pay them enough so they can afford housing.

Ditto for places like Westchester, the Hamptons, etc., etc.

[Amberley]

@Wilish

We had to pay 100% of the housing directly and provide it to the entire family. It seems like a wild request. My question is, is it normal?

No usually you make an ad outlining the compensation and people who are interested apply. If it doesn’t work for them, they won’t apply. It sounds like this applicant cannot secure housing themselves for some reason but it also sounds like you have jumped the gun and offered them a job without really working out the specifics of what you can offer. I would be hesitant to rent a property and let someone else live there without some kind of legal protection via a corporation/ employee housing agreement myself.

This seems like an atypical job and most people are, rightly, very wary of live in sole employee type roles. You might do better to go through a staffing agency. And yes you’ll have to carry workmans comp offer benefits, PTO etc most likely and advertise those clearly as well as relevant info.

[GraceLikeRain]

@Wilish

since the housing I can provide is a one bedroom. Stipend equivalent to a one bedroom because one person is working for me, which they said wasn’t an option. We had to pay 100% of the housing directly and provide it to the entire family. It seems like a wild request. My question is, is it normal? With the stipend, salary, and benefits, comp is about the equivalent of $100k per year. A 2 bedroom would be closer to $130k.

I’m really not understanding these numbers at all.

Even assuming 6 days a week without a single week of vacation or holidays off only gets to $62k at $200/day.

What is the actual “value” of this one bedroom vs two bedrooms? Having the cost jump by nearly $3k/month for an additional bedroom doesn’t make sense.

On Zillow I’m finding 50 listings currently available for 2 bedrooms at $2,500/month or less.