I Was Shocked To Learn How Much Mall Santas Make In Minnesota

The countdown to Christmas is officially on, and Santa's helpers are gearing up to spread some holiday cheer. Across Minnesota, malls are getting ready to transform into winter wonderlands where families can bring their little ones to meet Santa.

You know how it goes – you get the kids dressed in their best holiday outfits, you make your way to the mall, stand in line for what feels like forever, and hope your kids don’t end up in tears when it's their turn to sit on Santa’s lap and share their Christmas wish lists.

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Mall Santas start their season in mid-to-late November and work right up until Christmas Eve. It might not be a super long stretch, but those days are packed with long hours and plenty of little ones to entertain.

And let's be real – it takes a special kind of patience to keep a smile on your face while kids climb on your lap, ask for the wildest toys, and sometimes have epic meltdowns.

Being a Mall Santa is a dirty job too. According to the National Santa, they get sneezed or coughed on up to 15 times a day, and about 28% have had a child accidentally “wet” them during their shift. Not exactly the holiday perks you might expect!

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I Was Shocked To Learn How Much Mall Santas Make In Minnesota

Minnesota ranks dead last, 50th out of 50 states, for Mall Santa salaries, according to ZipRecruiter. See how much they make below.

In Minnesota, Mall Santas make an average of $22.89 an hour. Brooklyn Park offers the highest pay at $24.23 an hour, followed by Plymouth ($23.82), Minneapolis ($23.76), Maple Grove ($23.61), Bloomington ($23.57), and Rochester ($23.47).

While that's pretty good for a seasonal gig, it's still nowhere near the national average. According to Zip Recruiter, as of November 6, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Santa across the U.S. is $60.10.