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Santa Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Santa

Langhorne, PA · On-site

Create a realistic Santa character experience for families * Consistently perform the same high energy experience repetitively throughout the night of the event * Responsible for clocking in and out ...

SeaWorld

Create a realistic Santa character experience for families * Consistently perform the same high energy experience repetitively throughout the night of the event * Responsible for clocking in and out ...

Jordan's Furniture

Seasonal Santa

Avon, MA · On-site

$50 - $75/hr

Jordan's Furniture seeks a Temporary Santa for our Enchanted Village at the Avon store, a well-loved family holiday event. Featuring traditional attractions along with our 4D Ride at MOM, Laser LITE ...

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Santa information

See salary details

$48

$60

$70

How much do santa jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for santa in the United States is $60.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54.09 and $66.11 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Santa?

Santas, also known as Santa Clauses, are individuals who dress up as the legendary figure of Santa Claus during the holiday season. They typically appear at malls, holiday events, parties, and parades to spread cheer, pose for photos, and listen to children's Christmas wishes. The role requires a friendly personality, a jolly demeanor, and often a convincing costume, including a red suit and white beard. Being a Santa is about creating magical experiences and joy for both children and adults.

What does a Santa do?

A professional Santa Claus plays the role of Santa Claus at the mall or Christmas events. Your responsibilities include interacting with children and having pictures taken with guests. Other duties include wearing the red Santa Claus suit, growing a beard (or wearing a fake one), and convincingly emitting jolly laughter. You typically work long hours during the holidays, with some shifts are as long as 12 hours to save children the cognitive dissonance of witnessing two simultaneous St. Nicholas’s. You work with children and may have to answer difficult or tricky questions about religion or divorce. You maintain the comforting fantasy of Santa Claus for children.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a Santa?

To thrive as a Santa, you need strong interpersonal skills, a joyful demeanor, and the ability to engage with children and families, often supported by a background in acting or customer service. Familiarity with scheduling tools, costume care, and sometimes background checks or child safety certifications are typically required. Exceptional patience, improvisational ability, and warmth help Santas create magical experiences and handle a variety of situations. These skills are crucial to ensuring children feel comfortable, maintaining the magic of the season, and delivering memorable interactions.

What challenges do Santas face during the holiday season?

One of the main challenges faced by professional Santas is maintaining high energy and a positive demeanor throughout long shifts, often while engaging with excited children and large crowds. Santas must also be prepared to handle a wide range of emotional interactions, from shy or anxious children to those with special needs. Additionally, the role often requires working in warm, heavy costumes for extended periods and adapting to various event environments, from malls to private parties. Effective communication and improvisational skills are crucial for creating memorable experiences and managing unexpected situations.

What is the difference between Santa vs Elf?

AspectSantaElf
Required CredentialsNone specific, often festive experienceSimilar, often with craft or toy-making skills
Work EnvironmentPublic events, shopping malls, paradesWorkshop, toy factories, holiday events
Industry UsageHoliday entertainment, charity eventsToy manufacturing, holiday decorations
Common Search/ComparisonSantaElf

Santa is primarily known for appearing at public holiday events, spreading cheer, and engaging with children, often without formal credentials. Elves, on the other hand, are typically involved in toy-making and workshop activities, supporting Santa's mission. While both roles are integral to holiday festivities, Santa's role is more about public appearances, whereas elves focus on production and preparation.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Santa jobs?

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What states have the most Santa jobs?

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The top searched job categories for Santa jobs are:

Santa jobs near you
Infographic showing various Santa job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, and 38% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $124,999 per year, or $60.1 per hour.

Houseperson | Palihouse Santa Barbara

Palihouse Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA • On-site

$19 - $19.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

HOUSEPERSON | PALIHOUSE SANTA BARBARA


POSITION PROFILE:

We're looking for a top-notch House Person that's ready to clean, sanitize, and tidy common areas to ensure a comfortable experience for hotel guests and our team.


ABOUT PALIHOUSE SANTA BARBARA:

Palihouse Santa Barbara is an enchanting coastal retreat nestled within the vibrant historic Presidio Neighborhood of downtown Santa Barbara. With 24 meticulously designed guest rooms and suites set amidst a serene Mediterranean courtyard and pool, this beautiful hotel beckons the most discerning travelers seeking an authentic and intimate experience. If you're passionate about creating genuine connections, thrive in a dynamic hospitality environment, and find joy in elevating guest experiences, we invite you to join our team at Palihouse Santa Barbara!


THE TASK AT HAND:

  • Ensuring our hotel spaces are perfectly tidy, sanitary, and welcoming to hotel guests.
  • Completing a range of cleaning duties across our common areas including the cleaning and upkeep of rugs, carpets, and upholstered furniture using a vacuum cleaner, broom and carpet shampoo machine.
  • Cleaning rooms, hallways and restrooms as needed to remain pristine.
  • Washing walls and ceilings, moving furniture and turning mattresses
  • Sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, waxing and polishing floors in all common areas
  • Dusting and polishing metalwork in all common areas
  • Managing linens, from collecting soiled linen to receiving fresh linen supplies, sorting, refilling, and stocking housekeeping closets on various floors
  • Removing trash collected by room attendants
  • Walking all assigned floors at the beginning and end of every shift to collect trash or soild linens
  • Delivering and setting up towels, cribs, roll-away beds, and other items to the guest rooms upon request
  • Perform general housekeeping duties of when necessary
  • Refilling the par stock of guest amenities and supplies on each floor pantry.
  • Helping the housekeeping team with the heavy lifting
  • Cleaning all public areas in line with our service standards while following department standard operating procedures
  • Using a keen eye to routinely inspect the condition of all furniture for tears, rips or stains. Once identified, reporting any damages to the supervisor for immediate repairs.
  • Maintaining a friendly, helpful demeanor that puts guests at ease and makes for a positive work environment for all colleagues.
  • Working a flexible schedule based on hotel occupancy and need periods
  • Following uniform guidelines


WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

  • Has a strong working knowledge of and passion for hospitality
  • Displays a strong hands-on approach
  • Guest service oriented
  • Strong knowledge of cleaning products
  • Minimum of one-year experience in a similar position
  • Must be able to stand or walk a minimum of eight hours, with mobility and prolonged standing, walking, bending and lifting up to 50 lbs
  • Flexible schedule - able to work a variety of shifts


WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

  • A competitive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
  • 401(k) retirement plan (future you will love this one!)
  • Paid time off, holiday pay, and sick pay when you're under the weather.
  • Career advancement in an organization committed to helping star employees thrive.
  • There's also an opportunity to expand your career trajectory as we are a fast-growing company with hotels and restaurants in multiple cities.
  • Professional development that sets you up for success across multiple hospitality career paths.
  • A collaborative work environment where your creative ideas can come to fruition.
  • Amazing employee discounts on hotels and dining across our entire portfolio (18 hotels and more to come!)
  • Hands-on training with a nimble team.



Palisociety is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Palisociety does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state, or local laws.


Privacy Notice:

For information on the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 ("CCPA"), California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 ("CPRA"), and other California privacy laws, please go to the Palisociety Careers page at www.palisociety.com and www.arrivehotels.com to view the notice.


For more information, visit www.palisociety.com or follow @palisociety


For more information, visit lepetitpali.com or follow @lepetitpali


For more information, visit www.arrivehotels.com or follow @arrivehotels


We are an E-Verify Employer/Somos un empleador de E-Verify.

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