As Amazon preps for an uptick in orders this holiday season, the e-commerce giant is ramping up its workforce and hiring thousands of Texans to keep up with demand.
The company will be hiring to fill 26,500 positions in Texas, with more than 2,500 of those in the San Antonio area and 3,000 in the Austin area, according to Amazon spokesperson Allie Payne.
The company plans to hire more than 300,000 workers across the country, a surge from the 250,000 workers that the online retailer has hired in past years.
Job offerings for seasonal, part-time and full-time positions will be posted every week through December, Payne said, with many able to transition into full-time roles once the holiday season is over.
“We head into the holiday season with strong spending momentum, as consumers remain the bright spot in the economy,” said Mark Mathews, chief economist and executive director of research for the retail group. “At the same time, inflation, rising gas prices and pressure on household spending will affect consumers differently across income groups.”
Amazon starts full-time employees at a wage of $20 an hour, which is also the average that seasonal employees will be paid. The e-commerce company said its average employee makes closer to $24 an hour.
At the start of the year, the global conglomerate is expanding its healthcare coverage to seasonal employees who work at least 30 hours per week. Plans will start at $5 a week with $5 copayments.
“Together, these investments pair more holiday job opportunities with industry-leading pay and expanded access to healthcare for seasonal roles,” Payne said.