# Amazon raises worker pay to $20 minimum

> The company is investing $1.5 billion in hourly wage increases and new benefits for operations workers.
- Title: Amazon raises worker pay to $20 minimum · TechCrunch
- Summary: The company is investing $1.5 billion in hourly wage increases and new benefits for operations workers. Amazon is raising minimum pay for U.S. operations…
- Keywords: amazon, wage increase, fulfillment center, delivery drivers, udit madan, whole foods market, day 1 financial, first tech federal credit union, worker benefits, minimum wage, technology, startups
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/16/amazon-gives-its-workers-a-raise-of-1-per-hour
- Author: Amanda Silberling
- Published: 2026-09-16T14:32:08+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: amazon, wage increase, fulfillment center, delivery drivers, udit madan, whole foods market, day 1 financial, first tech federal credit union, worker benefits, minimum wage, technology, startups
## Amazon raises minimum to $20
The company is increasing starting pay for U.S. operations workers like delivery drivers and fulfillment center employees to $20 per hour.
## Average pay hits nearly $24
The raise represents a $1 per hour increase for eligible employees. Average hourly pay will reach nearly $24.
## $1.5 billion investment
Amazon is spending over $1.5 billion on these raises, about 0.06% of its $2.68 trillion market cap.
## New banking and shopping perks
Workers get access to Day 1 Financial banking, a credit union membership, and 20% off in-store Whole Foods purchases.
## Workers aren't impressed
On a fulfillment center subreddit, employees mocked the Whole Foods discount, saying it just makes prices match regular stores.

> So it would make it cost almost the same as a regular store, then? Hahaha
## Key takeaway

Amazon is raising minimum pay for U.S. operations workers to $20/hour, a $1 increase, while adding banking access and Whole Foods discounts.