Amazon to Hire 300,000 Holiday Workers, Boosts Pay and Benefits

Amazon will add more than 300,000 US workers for the holiday shopping season across seasonal, part-time and full-time roles in its core operations network, with new postings going up weekly from October through December, Foxbusiness reported. The company said seasonal staff will average $20 an hour, while full-time operations roles start at a minimum of $20 an hour; pay across the core operations workforce averages nearly $24 an hour.

Foxbusiness described the push as Amazon’s first increase in holiday recruitment in three years, as the retailer girds for higher order volumes. Blockonomi put the rise at about 20% over last year, or roughly 50,000 more seasonal positions, and cited Challenger, Gray & Christmas as projecting fewer than 450,000 holiday hires across US retail — a level not seen since 2008.

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Key facts

• Amazon is hiring more than 300,000 workers across its US core operations network, with openings posted weekly from October through December.
• Seasonal pay averages $20 an hour and full-time operations jobs start at no less than $20 an hour, according to the company.
• From January 1, 2027, seasonal employees averaging at least 30 hours a week can get healthcare coverage from their first day, at plans starting at $5 per week with $5 copays.
• Blockonomi reported the hiring target is about 20% higher than last year and roughly 50,000 positions larger than the prior holiday season.
• Blockonomi also reported AMZN shares rose 0.36% to $263.39, up $0.94, during a volatile session.

Pay, benefits and the timing

The hiring plan follows a commitment of more than $1.5 billion in additional pay for Amazon’s US core operations workforce, Foxbusiness reported. Blockonomi adds that Amazon puts average total compensation for full-time staff, including benefits, above $32 an hour, and that workers get uncapped discounts at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market.

The healthcare change covers seasonal workers hired before January 1 who meet the eligibility requirements — they gain access when the benefit takes effect. In a statement, the company said its employees are “at the heart of everything we do” and that the investments reflect a commitment to being a place where people can earn and learn.

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Only Blockonomi reported the detail that Amazon plans expanded access to low-cost credit union services for employees, with that rollout extending into 2027. Neither outlet gave a specific headcount breakdown by facility.

Why it matters

The number stands out against a soft national picture: Blockonomi’s cited forecast of fewer than 450,000 holiday hires across US retail suggests most chains are staffing cautiously, leaving Amazon as one of the few large employers expanding seasonal rolls. For job seekers in warehousing and delivery, the window runs into December, and the January 1 healthcare start gives seasonal staff a reason to stay past the peak. For investors, the addition of roughly 50,000 positions plus higher wages points to heavier labor spending in the quarter that carries the year’s biggest sales volume.

What to watch

Watch whether weekly postings translate into the full 300,000-plus headcount by December, and how the January 1, 2027 healthcare start affects retention once peak season ends. AMZN’s reaction around the holiday sales period will show whether investors treat the added labor cost as an investment or a drag.

This is not financial advice; stock prices are volatile and can move sharply in either direction.

Written by

Benjamin

Benjamin Carter covers business, finance, and the stock market for StockPil, focusing on the trends and data that matter to everyday investors.

Sources: Fox Business, Blockonomi