Amazon has announced plans to hire 250,000 workers for the upcoming holiday season, maintaining the same hiring levels as the previous two years. The e-commerce giant is offering seasonal positions starting at over $19 per hour, with full-time roles averaging $23 hourly plus benefits.
The retail behemoth made the announcement on Monday, emphasizing that these positions span across its fulfillment and transportation network throughout the United States. According to the company, these seasonal roles are highly competitive, often filling within minutes of being posted on their hiring portal.
Competitive Wages Amid Retail Hiring Slowdown
Amazon’s hourly rates significantly exceed the federal minimum wage of $7.25 and surpass most state-mandated minimums. This aggressive wage strategy comes as the broader retail sector prepares for the lowest seasonal hiring numbers since 2009, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas.
New positions will be posted weekly through December on hiring.amazon.com, giving job seekers regular opportunities to apply. The company has maintained consistent hiring numbers, bringing on 250,000 seasonal employees during October through December in both 2023 and 2024.
Strong Online Shopping Forecast
Despite conservative hiring trends across retail, holiday spending projections remain optimistic. The Mastercard Economics Institute forecasts a 3.6% year-over-year increase in total U.S. retail sales from November 1 to December 24, 2025, with online sales expected to surge 7.9%.
Adobe’s forecast predicts U.S. online sales will reach $253.4 billion during the retail holiday season, representing 5.3% year-over-year growth. These projections suggest Amazon’s substantial workforce investment aligns with anticipated increases in e-commerce demand this holiday season.