Amazon is expanding its workforce ahead of what could be a record-breaking holiday shopping season, announcing plans to hire more than 300,000 seasonal, part-time and full-time employees nationwide. Seasonal workers will earn an average of $20 per hour, while average hourly pay for full-time operations employees is nearly $24.
Amazon announced the hiring initiative on Tuesday, October 20, as retailers prepare for increased demand during the upcoming holiday shopping season.
The recruitment drive represents a 20% increase over the 250,000 seasonal workers Amazon hired in 2025. The company currently employs approximately 1.2 million people across the United States, according to the figures cited in its announcement.
“Seasonal roles give people the opportunity to earn, work flexible schedules, and be part of the team during our busiest time of year,” Amazon said.
The positions will be available across the company’s U.S. operations network, including fulfillment centers, sorting facilities and delivery stations. New job listings are expected to be posted weekly from October through December.
Amazon says seasonal employees earn an average of $20 an hour. Full-time operations employees have a minimum starting wage of $20 per hour, with average hourly pay approaching $24.
The company is also expanding healthcare benefits. Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible seasonal employees who work at least 30 hours per week will qualify for healthcare coverage from their first day on the job. The plans will start at $5 per week, with $5 copays, according to Amazon.
Applicants can explore opportunities and sign up for job alerts through Amazon’s official careers website.
Holiday Sales Expected to Surpass $1 Trillion
Amazon’s hiring expansion comes as retailers anticipate another strong holiday shopping season.
The National Retail Federation forecasts that U.S. retail sales during November and December will reach approximately $1.013 trillion, an increase of 4.2% from 2025, when holiday sales totaled roughly $972 billion.
If the forecast holds, this would mark the first time holiday retail spending has surpassed $1 trillion.
Retailers are preparing for consumers to continue spending while paying close attention to prices, discounts and household budgets.
Other major retailers are also recruiting seasonal staff. Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, Target and Walmart have announced holiday staffing plans, although hiring levels and employment opportunities vary by company.
Online Shopping Expected to Set New Records
Online shopping is also projected to reach unprecedented levels.
Adobe forecasts that U.S. online holiday sales will total $275.1 billion between November 1 and December 31, 2026, representing a 6.7% increase from the previous year.
Cyber Monday, scheduled for November 30, is expected to generate approximately $15.1 billion in online sales, making it the largest online shopping day of the season.
Black Friday online sales are forecast to reach $12.9 billion, with discounts expected to encourage consumers to purchase electronics, clothing, appliances and other products.
However, shoppers are also expected to prioritize everyday essentials as they look for ways to manage household expenses amid persistent inflation.
Adobe projects that online sales of personal hygiene products during Cyber Week will increase 150% compared with average September 2026 levels. Sales of clothing basics are expected to rise 210%, while baby products could increase 113%, pet products 93% and household cleaning products 49%.
Seasonal Job Opportunities Increase
The hiring outlook extends beyond Amazon. According to Indeed Hiring Lab, seasonal job postings were running approximately 10% ahead of the same period in 2025 through the end of September. Searches for seasonal jobs on desktop computers were up 28% year over year.
The figures indicate growing interest in temporary employment as consumers and businesses prepare for the holiday period.
For job seekers, seasonal positions can provide an opportunity to earn additional income, work flexible schedules or gain experience that may lead to longer-term employment.
Amazon says some seasonal employees may have opportunities to transition into permanent roles, depending on business needs and available positions.
With hundreds of thousands of openings planned nationwide and holiday spending expected to reach record levels, the coming weeks will be an important period for both retailers and workers seeking seasonal employment.
