Amazon lifts U.S. operations starting pay to $20 an hour and raises Canadian base wage by $1

Amazon sets U.S. operations starting pay at $20 an hour

Amazon said Wednesday it is raising its U.S. minimum starting wage for full-time operations workers to $20 an hour, a $1 increase that lifts the company-wide average operations pay to roughly $24 an hour. The change applies to hundreds of thousands of workers in logistics and transportation roles at Amazon fulfillment centers and affects one of the largest private employers in the United States. The company framed the move as part of a long-term investment in its operations workforce.

Pay move narrows the gap with retail rivals

The new $20 starting rate matches Costco's minimum, which the warehouse club set at $20 in 2025, and leaves Amazon ahead of Target, where starting pay remains $15, and Walmart, where starting wages are $14. The comparison positions Amazon's entry-level operations compensation at the top end of large U.S. retailers, even as competitors continue to set their own benchmarks for hourly staff.

Canadian operations base wage rises to C$26.27

In a separate move, Amazon said it is increasing the average hourly base wage for operations workers in Canada to C$26.27, up C$1 from the prior year. The Canadian adjustment was announced the same day as the U.S. increase and affects operations staff north of the border, though the U.S. and Canadian workforces are governed by separate pay structures.

Expanded employee discounts at Whole Foods and Amazon.com

Alongside the wage increases, Amazon is rolling out broader grocery discounts for its employees. Workers will receive 10 percent off eligible fresh items and everyday staples purchased on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market Online, and 20 percent off in-store purchases at Whole Foods. The discounts apply to all Amazon employees, not only operations staff, extending the benefits package tied to Wednesday's announcement.

Other developments

Separately, Walmart said it will launch a weeklong fall sales event on Oct. 5 offering discounts of up to 50 percent, a campaign that overlaps with Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days beginning the following day.