Amazon Raises Minimum Hourly Starting Wage to $20, Bumping Average to $24

HR Dive · United States · Sep 17, 2026

Amazon is increasing pay by $1 per hour for full-time core operations employees, bringing its minimum starting wage to $20 and average starting wage to approximately $24 per hour. The company also introduced new financial benefits via First Tech Federal Credit Union and expanded grocery discounts for U.S. employees. The move comes amid inflationary pressure on lower- and middle-income consumers, with economists warning of a consumer spending slowdown later in 2026 and into early 2027. For staffing firms placing warehouse, logistics, and fulfillment workers, this raises the competitive compensation baseline in a key labor market segment.