Amazon to hire 300,000 workers for U.S. holiday season

Amazon has announced plans to hire more than 300,000 seasonal, part-time, and full-time workers across its United States operations network for the 2026 holiday season. This represents a 20% increase in recruitment compared to the same period last year.

Seasonal employees will earn an average of $20 per hour, while full-time operations staff will start at a minimum of $20 per hour, with average pay reaching approximately $24 per hour. In a notable policy shift, Amazon stated that starting January 1, 2027, seasonal employees working at least 30 hours per week will become eligible for the same healthcare benefits provided to full-time workers.

The hiring surge comes as the National Retail Federation forecasts U.S. holiday retail sales could exceed $1 trillion for the first time. This massive recruitment drive contrasts with broader retail trends, as some analysts note a more cautious approach to seasonal staffing across the wider industry due to automation and economic factors.