Amazon is ramping up hiring in the U.S. ahead of what is expected to be a record-breaking holiday shopping season.
America’s largest online retailer announced Tuesday its plans to hire more than 300,000 seasonal, part-time and full-time employees in the coming months.
“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.
Seasonal employees will earn an average of $20 per hour, Amazon said, while full-time staff will earn an average wage of $24 an hour.
The hiring spree will grow the company’s U.S. workforce of 1.2 million by 25 percent, according to Amazon’s latest federal compliance filings. It’s also 20 percent more than Amazon’s 2025 seasonal hiring of 250,000 workers.
Amazon isn’t alone in announcing significant seasonal hiring.
Dick’s Sporting Goods is hiring roughly 8,400 employees for its four brands. Shoe store Foot Locker will hire around 2,900 employees across its four brands. Both Target and Walmart are hiring seasonal workers, according to the companies, but have not said how many they plan to hire.
Through the end of September, seasonal job postings were up 10 percent across the board compared to 2025, according to a report from job board Indeed. Desktop computer searches for seasonal openings are up 28 percent over 2025, Indeed said.
The hirings come ahead of what experts say will be a record-breaking holiday shopping season.
Sales through the end of the year are expected to pass $1 trillion for the first time ever, according to a new report from industry advocate National Retail Federation, up 4.2 percent over $972.3 billion last year.
Online holiday sales will also break records, according to a report last month from software firm Adobe. Shoppers are expected to spend $275.1 billion this year, up 6.7 percent over 2025.
Cyber Monday alone is expected to generate more than $15 billion in sales, Adobe said. Shoppers will pay particular attention to everyday essentials this year as they look for ways to save money amid rising inflation, the researchers found, with huge jumps in spending on essentials.
“During Cyber Week, online sales of personal hygiene products are expected to jump 150% (compared to average sales levels in September 2026) and clothing basics by 210%,” the report said.
“Other essentials set to see a boost include baby products (up 113%), pet products (up 93%) and household cleaning items (up 49%).”
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