Amazon is raising the hourly minimum wage for its full-time core operations employees in the United States to $20. This move comes particularly ahead of the holiday shopping season, which is one of the most important shopping times for retailers.
Wage and Benefits Increase
This $1 per hour increase for employees performing tasks such as packing and shipping orders will lead to an average wage of nearly $24 per hour. Amazon has also announced that the total average compensation for these employees will exceed $32 per hour, which includes the value of the benefits packages offered.
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This change will take effect on September 27. Amazon has also announced new benefits that include a 10% discount on fresh groceries and essential items on the Amazon website and at Whole Foods Market stores. This discount will be available to Amazon employees in the United States starting October 1.
Financial and Banking Benefits for Employees
Additionally, Amazon is providing access to membership in the First Tech Federal Credit Union for eligible employees and their families. This credit union offers low-cost banking services that employees can use throughout their lives. Employees can open checking and savings accounts without needing a credit history.
In comparison, Walmart expanded its 10% discount on most grocery purchases in stores and online last year. This discount previously only included fresh groceries and general merchandise and did not cover items like milk, pasta, or meat, except during the holiday shopping season in November and December.
Currently, the minimum wage for hourly workers at Walmart stores is $14, and hourly employees in the U.S. earn an average of over $18.50. Walmart has also stated that the average minimum hourly wage is $16.
For warehouse workers and other supply chain employees, the average hourly wage is $27.50, and the minimum hourly wage is $24.75. This story has been amended to clarify that the hourly wage at Walmart for store workers is $14, not for all employees.
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Source: abcnews.com
