Amazon Hiring 75K, Offers Sign-On Bonuses Up to $1,000

Amazon is making it rain from Pennsylvania to Toronto. The e-tailer giant has announced it seeks to add 75,000 people to its fulfillment and logistics network across the U.S. and Canada as it continues to expand its footprint. The positions pay an average of $17 an hour and include signing bonuses of up to $1,000, plus an additional $100 for new hires who can show proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Job openings include a variety of “shopper” positions for Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market locations, where Prime members receive free delivery in under two hours.

Amazon recently issued pay increases across its fulfillment and transportation networks. These raises coupled with additional staffing suggests the increasing importance of online ordering and fulfillment for the Seattle-based company, as just yesterday, its Whole Foods Market banner announced a consolidation of operations and related layoffs. Though in the same announcement, Whole Foods said it was hiring 10,000 additional workers to fulfill other non-regional and -global office roles.

Amazon offers fulltime employees additional benefits, which include health, vision, and dental insurance, 401(k) with 50% company match, paid parental leave, and access to Amazon’s Career Choice program, which prepays 95% of tuition for courses in high-demand fields.

“We look forward to hiring 75,000 associates across our fulfillment and transportation network,” said Alicia Boler Davis, VP of global customer fulfillment at Amazon, in a statement. “Working at Amazon also comes with an unwavering commitment to safety, especially as we continue to navigate a global pandemic. In addition to the great pay and robust benefits available to new hires starting on their first day, we’re offering a $100 benefit to new hires who come to Amazon already vaccinated for COVID-19.”

Hiring for the 75,000 roles is already underway. States with the most Amazon job openings include Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.

Job seekers in Exton, Pa., for example, can apply to be a Whole Foods Shopper. “Prime Now offers shopping services from Whole Foods Market, so customers can order online and have items delivered in under two hours,” says the job posting. “As a shopper, you’ll work in a grocery store setting at Whole Foods, locating and carefully selecting items and packaging them for delivery. If you need flexibility in your schedule, this job allows you to choose from available shifts each week to create your own. Flexible hours, a reliable pay rate, and no surprises,” Amazon asserts.

In Portland, Ore., Amazon Fresh warehouses are hiring for its grocery delivery service. “We offer fresh, frozen, and packaged groceries, so you’ll work in varying climates from room temperature to freezer environments,” says the job description. “We will provide you with the right gear to stay warm during the colder parts of your shift.”

As the move to find qualified employees for thousands of open positions in grocery heats up, will Amazon’s efforts to court workers with higher wages, benefits and warm sentiments get the job done?

Amazon thinks so. “Creating well-paying jobs, offering great benefits, and ensuring employee health and safety are Amazon’s top priorities,” says the About Amazon section of the company’s website.