As if putting on an itchy red suit and entertaining kids all day wasn't enough of a challenge, the nation's professional Santa Clauses are faced with another vexing problem this holiday season: finding work.
Job openings for Santa Claus stores are down 35% this year compared to 2024, according to Revelio Labs. Indeed, the number of listings in malls, convenience stores and other retail outlets has fallen sharply since 2022, a labor research firm found.
The reasons: Employers are cutting budgets, more malls are closing their doors, and many parents these days are choosing to avoid crowds—and the experience of an unsuspecting toddler plopping down on Santa's lap in a store—in favor of shopping online.
The decline in the number of Santa Claus vacancies comes amid a generally soft hiring for the holiday season this year as retailers look to rein in costs. Unemployment rate in the country rose to 4.6% in November., the highest in more than four years.
The news isn't all bad for Santa lovers. While fewer jobs are being hired, pay is improving: The average hourly wage for Santa Claus is now $25, up from $21.89 in 2022, Revelio found.
Again, employers only want the most qualified candidates. About 70% of store Santa listings this year require a real beard, up from 14% three years ago, according to the company.
“Economists call this the composition effect: average wages change not because actual wages rise, but because of who stays in the labor pool,” Revelio said. “Because employers require real beards for most jobs, they only hire highly paid employees. Average wages are rising, but this is not the story of wage growth. This is a contraction in the labor market disguised as good news.”
And good night everyone!
