New Reports Show Disney World Workers’ Raises Lag Far Behind Orlando’s Costs

Overview

• Union contracts negotiated in 2023 are phasing most cast members above $20 an hour and close to $25 by 2026.
• A $25 hourly wage equates to about $52,000 a year before taxes, far below a local estimate of $48.22 an hour for a comfortable single-adult income.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics now ranks Orlando second-to-last for wages among 50 major U.S. cities.
• A Florida Atlantic University survey finds nearly half of Central Florida residents are considering leaving, with 42% citing affordability and 80% worried about rising housing prices.
• The recently ended federal shutdown disrupted SNAP benefits, which are now returning as local nonprofits expand food, housing, and financial-assistance support for workers.