Amazon plans more than 2,000 holiday hires in Tampa Bay

Amazon plans to hire more than 300,000 workers nationwide for the holiday shopping season, the company announced Tuesday, and more than 2,000 from the Tampa Bay area, specifically. 

The Seattle retail giant says it is filling seasonal, part-time and full-time positions across its U.S. operations network, while raising wages and extending health benefits to eligible seasonal employees. New openings will be posted weekly through December. Of the anticipated 300,000 seasonal, part-time and full-time new hires, more than 21,000 will come from Florida, according to a statement.

Last year, Amazon sought about 1,500 employees in the Tampa market, the Business Observer previously reported. Its nationwide target for the 2025 holiday season was 250,000 workers — at least 50,000 fewer than this year’s goal.

Amazon has a substantial logistics footprint in Florida. The company says its statewide operations include 35 fulfillment and sorting centers, 37 delivery stations and an Amazon Air hub. Amazon reports more than 57,000 direct jobs in Florida and more than $55 billion invested in infrastructure and employee compensation since 2010.

Seasonal employees earn an average of $20 an hour, according to the announcement. Full-time core operations employees start at a minimum of $20 an hour, while average hourly pay across the core operations workforce is nearly $24. Amazon says average total compensation for full-time employees exceeds $32 an hour when benefits are included.

The hiring push follows the company’s announcement of more than $1.5 billion in additional pay for its U.S. core operations workforce.

A new health benefit will also take effect after the holiday rush. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, seasonal employees working at least 30 hours a week will qualify for health coverage, with plan options starting at $5 a week and $5 copays.

Eligible seasonal employees hired before Jan. 1 will gain access on that date, the release says. Those hired on or after Jan. 1 will have access from their first day. Amazon already offers first-day health coverage to regular full-time employees, according to the company.

Amazon is also adding grocery discounts and access to banking services. U.S. employees recently received uncapped discounts of 10% on eligible groceries and everyday essentials purchased through Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market online, and 20% inside Whole Foods stores.

Another program, Day 1 Financial, will offer qualifying employees and their families banking services through First Tech Federal Credit Union. Access is scheduled to begin rolling out later this year and become broadly available in 2027.