Amazon, the e-commerce giant, is gearing up for the holiday season by hiring 250,000 employees in the U.S. and increasing the average hourly pay for warehouse and delivery workers to $20.50, up from $19.
The company announced the pay hike on Monday, saying it is part of a $1.3 billion investment this year to attract and retain workers amid a labor shortage. Amazon also offers various benefits to its frontline employees, such as prepaid college tuition, emergency savings program, and financial assistance.
“We’re proud to offer these new hires comprehensive benefits starting on day one of their employment, including health care, 401(k) with 50% company match, up to 20 weeks paid parental leave and Amazon’s innovative Career Choice program that pre-pays 95% of associates’ tuition for courses in high-demand fields,” said Dave Clark, CEO of Worldwide Consumer at Amazon.
The jobs in Amazon’s operations network include stowing, picking, packing, sorting, and shipping customer orders. The company said it has more than 1,000 facilities across the U.S., including four fulfillment centers and two delivery stations in the Memphis area, where it is hiring for 3,000 holiday jobs.
“We’re looking for people who want to join a company that continues to innovate on behalf of customers and create opportunities for employees to grow their careers,” said Alicia Boler Davis, vice president of global customer fulfillment at Amazon. “We are excited to welcome new talent to our team here in Memphis. Whether you’re looking for a short-term opportunity or a long-term career, there are a variety of roles available across our operations network.”
Amazon is one of the few companies that has consistently added jobs during the pandemic. It has been a lifeline for many people who lost their jobs or had their hours cut due to Covid-19. The company currently employs more than 950,000 people in the U.S., up from 750,000 a year ago.
“Amazon’s pay increases are a reflection of the tight labor market and the need to attract and retain workers. The company is competing not only with other retailers but also with other sectors like hospitality and leisure that are also ramping up hiring,” said Andrew Lipsman, principal analyst at eMarketer.
Amazon’s holiday hiring spree comes as the company prepares for what is expected to be another busy shopping season. The company said it will announce its holiday deals and offers in the coming weeks.
Relevant articles:
– Amazon adding 250,000 workers for the holidays and bumping average pay, CNBC, September 19, 2023
– Amazon is hiring for 3,000 holiday jobs in the Memphis area. How to apply., MSN, September 20, 2023
– Amazon is hiring 250,000 new employees at higher pay to help it survive the holidays, MSN, September 20, 2023