Aspen Skiing Co. Boosts Minimum Wage To Battle A Labor Shortage
Via Chris Ford/Flickr/CC Aspen Skiing Co. will be recruiting about 1,200 new employees with a higher base pay for the upcoming winter season, the Aspen Times reports.
The minimum hourly wage for company employees will be $13.50, up from $12 last season.
The state's minimum wage is currently $10.20 an hour.
The company has raised employees' base pay each year for the past few years but this bump is larger than the ones in the past.
Chris Linsmayer, public affairs director for Colorado Ski Country USA, which represents a consortium of ski resorts in the state, said his organization hasn't seen any other wage announcements in advance of the 2018-19 season yet.
"Colorado is experiencing a competitive job market, especially in our mountain communities where unemployment rates remain below the statewide average," he said. "We expect to see a competitive hiring market across the state for employees this winter."
Aspen Skiing Co. spokesman Jeff Hanle says the pay raise creates a ripple effect because returning employees who started at $12 hour last year will be bumped up to the $13.50 wage.
Aspen Skiing continues to offer benefits, including a ski pass, health insurance and deep retail discounts. The company is planning two job fairs this fall — Sept. 27 and Oct. 25.
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