Amazon has announced plans to hire more than 300,000 workers across the United States for the 2026 holiday season, offering opportunities for job seekers as the company prepares for increased shopping demand.
Online retail giant Amazon is expanding its workforce ahead of the busy end-of-year shopping period, with plans to recruit more than 300,000 people for seasonal, part-time and full-time positions across its US operations network.
The announcement, made on 20 October 2026, represents a 20% increase compared with the 250,000 seasonal workers Amazon planned to hire the previous year. The recruitment drive will help the company manage the expected rise in customer orders during the holiday season, when demand for deliveries and online shopping typically increases.
Pay And Employee Benefits
According to Amazon, seasonal employees earn an average of $20 per hour, while full-time operations employees receive a minimum starting wage of $20 per hour, with average hourly pay reaching nearly $24.
The company has also announced an expansion of healthcare benefits. From 1 January 2027, eligible seasonal employees working at least 30 hours per week will qualify for healthcare coverage from their first day of employment. Available plans will start at $5 per week, with $5 co-payments.
Amazon says seasonal positions can also provide opportunities for workers to move into permanent employment and develop longer-term careers within the company.
How To Apply
Amazon plans to publish new job opportunities weekly from October through December 2026. Available positions will support its fulfilment centres, sorting facilities and delivery operations across the United States.
Interested applicants can visit Amazon’s official recruitment website at amazon.com/localjobs to explore available positions and sign up for job alerts.
Although the recruitment drive presents opportunities for thousands of job seekers, applicants should note that the announced 300,000-plus positions are in the United States. The announcement does not confirm a similar recruitment drive in South Africa.
Amazon’s latest hiring plans highlight the importance of seasonal workers in keeping deliveries moving during one of the busiest periods of the year, while providing temporary employment opportunities and a potential pathway to permanent jobs.
Main image: Business Tech
