Amazon raises wages, adds new benefits for hourly workers
Amazon is increasing pay and expanding the financial services and employee discounts it offers core operations associates.
The online giant is increasing minimum starting pay for U.S. full-time core operations roles (such as fulfillment and transportation) to $20 per hour, with average pay reaching what Amazon says is nearly $24 per hour. This follows a September 2025 pay hike to an average of more than $23 per hour.
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According to Amazon, average total compensation exceeds $32 per hour when including the value of its benefits package.
Amazon has provided a pay increase to hourly workers for four consecutive Septembers. In September 2024, Amazon gave members of its U.S. frontline worker team a raise of at least an additional $1.50 per hour, while in September 2023, the company increased minimum hourly worker pay to $20.50 per hour from $19 per hour.
According to Amazon, minimum starting hourly pay has grown 17% in the past three years. In addition, in early 2025, Amazon began offering membership in the Prime program, which includes unlimited fast, free delivery of eligible as well as free access to the Prime Video streaming service among many other features, free of charge to hourly employees.
Amazon is also providing other new benefits to hourly employees, including:
Financial services
A new lifetime banking benefit for hourly employees is called Day 1 Financial — a membership in First Tech Federal Credit Union that provides qualified employees and their families with banking services they can keep for life.
These include $0 overdraft fees, $0 monthly maintenance fees, and no account minimums on standard checking and savings accounts, mobile and online banking, direct deposit, credit-building programs, and access to credit cards, auto loans, and home loans for those who choose and qualify to use them. Access to Day 1 Financial will begin rolling out in late 2026 and become broadly available in 2027.
This benefit builds on the financial support Amazon has provided since 2022 through Brightside Financial Care, a free service that connects employees one-on-one with a financial assistant.
Grocery discount
Starting Thursday, Oct. 1, Amazon’s also lowering the cost of groceries for hourly employees, with an uncapped 10% off eligible fresh groceries and everyday essentials on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market online, as well as 20% off in-store at Whole Foods Market brick-and-mortar locations.
These are on top of other benefits Amazon already offers hourly employees, which include healthcare for as low as $5 a week with $5 copays and prepaid education programs.
“I spend a lot of time talking with and listening to members of our team out in the field, Udit Madan, senior VP, Amazon Worldwide Operations, said in a corporate blog post. “I often hear that they appreciate a good paycheck, but also really value the full range of benefits that we offer — which together help them support their families and grow in the long run. So, each year, we look at that full picture — pay, benefits and how we can continue to support them and their families through many different parts of their lives.”
