Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming announced wage increases for half its US workforce. The increase will apply to its entire stateside team members and new hires at hotels, casinos and cafés owned by the company nationwide.
New starting wages will range between $18-$21 an hour with minimal exceptions, which is more than two-and-a-half times the federal minimum wage and exceeds every single US state’s minimum wage.
These changes will apply to 95 job classifications including: housekeepers, security, public space, call center staff and cooks – those most impacted by the current economic slump. In some cases, this means starting wages will increase by up to 60%.
This recent $100m investment in its team members is an ongoing part of Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming’s efforts to honor and appreciate its workforce. This concerted effort can be seen in recent bonuses to frontline employees during the pandemic and other expanded benefits.
Taking the example of Florida, this pay hike means that an entry-level team member will receive between $8-11 above the state’s current $10 per hour minimum wage. The hourly rate increase for full-time team members equates to $16,000 per year above the state’s minimum wage.
Hard Rock CEO and chair Jim Allen commented: “My career has encompassed over four decades and I have never been involved in such a historic event. The support the Seminole Tribe of Florida has given me to enhance the standard of living for so many people is a dream come true. We have changed people's lives and I'm proud to be a part of it."
