From CBS News · Mary Cunningham · · 1m 10s
Amazon raises starting pay to $20 an hour
Amazon boosts worker pay and adds grocery discounts and banking perks to attract and retain talent.
In brief
Amazon boosts worker pay and adds grocery discounts and banking perks to attract and retain talent. Amazon is raising its minimum starting wage by $1 to $20 an hour while rolling out new employee benefits including grocery discounts and banking services. Originally reported by CBS News.
Amazon raises starting wage to $20
Amazon is increasing minimum starting pay for full-time operations workers by $1 to $20 an hour, bringing average worker pay to $24 an hour.
“The new hourly wage represents a $1 increase from its current starting level.”
Grocery discounts roll out October 1st
All U.S. Amazon employees will get 10% off fresh groceries on Amazon.com and Whole Foods online, plus 20% off in-store at Whole Foods locations starting October 1.
“Beginning Oct. 1, all U.S. employees will get 10% off eligible fresh groceries on Amazon.com and the Whole Foods website, and a 20% discount in-store at Whole Foods locations.”
Banking partnership launches late 2026
Amazon is offering employee memberships with First Tech Federal Credit Union starting in late 2026, with benefits extending to spouses and children for life.
“Qualified employees, their spouses and their children will qualify for First Tech membership for life.”
New perks join existing benefits
The grocery and banking perks add to Amazon's current offerings like free Prime memberships and healthcare insurance for eligible employees.
Amazon employs 1.5 million workers
Amazon's workforce spans roughly 1.5 million employees across the U.S., making it one of the country's largest employers.
The big picture
Amazon is raising its minimum starting wage by $1 to $20 an hour while rolling out new employee benefits including grocery discounts and banking services.
