Amazon has just revealed plans to hire a whopping 250,000 employees for the upcoming holiday season. This significant hiring spree encompasses full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions across the United States, spanning numerous cities and towns. It’s no secret that Amazon has been a major force in job creation, adding over 800,000 jobs in the past five years.

What’s truly noteworthy is Amazon’s commitment to boosting its U.S. hourly wages. The company is investing an astounding $1.3 billion this year alone to raise the average pay for customer fulfillment and transportation employees to over $20.50 per hour. This represents a remarkable 50% increase over the past five years, with some locations even offering as much as $28 per hour.

If you’re seeking employment opportunities with Amazon, you can submit your application on their website: hiring.amazon.com.

John Felton, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “The holiday season is always a special time at Amazon, and we’re excited to hire 250,000 additional people this year to help serve customers across the country.” Whether you’re seeking short-term income or a long-term career, Amazon has a role for you. Employees in fulfillment or transportation roles can expect a 13% increase in pay over the next three years, on top of offerings like prepaid college tuition through Career Choice and health care benefits from day one.

Amazon’s commitment to raising hourly wages isn’t a one-time gesture. Over the last five years, the company has invested more than $10 billion in hourly pay, emphasizing its dedication to fair compensation. This year, Amazon has also expanded its employee benefits package, introducing new offerings such as an emergency savings program and a financial assistance pilot program, which has already saved employees nearly $20 million since its inception, all available from day one of employment.

Laci Temple, a delivery station associate in Sumner, Washington, spoke about her experience at Amazon, saying, “You have a lot of opportunities here that you can take advantage of.” Temple’s story underscores that these jobs in Amazon’s operations network, which include tasks like stowing, picking, packing, sorting, and shipping customer orders, can be the stepping stone to a long and fulfilling career, both within and outside the company.

Amazon is offering signing bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 in select locations, with hourly wages ranging from $17 to $28 depending on the position and location in the U.S.

Grace Graver, an Amazon employee and farmer, shared her perspective, stating, “I came to Amazon earlier this year because I was looking for an opportunity that would allow me to run my business and earn a paycheck after hours.” Graver highlighted the valuable benefits such as medical and dental coverage from day one, along with attractive retirement benefits.

Safety is a top priority at Amazon, and this year, the company has revamped its on-the-job safety training, including an improved Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT) Training curriculum to enhance knowledge retention and prioritize personal and site safety. This training covers machines like order pickers and forklifts.

Amazon’s expansion continues, with over 50 new fulfillment centers, delivery stations, and same-day delivery sites in the U.S. this year, creating thousands of job opportunities across the country.

For those looking to grow their careers, Amazon offers advancement opportunities, early access to earned pay, health, vision, and dental insurance from day one, a 401(k) plan with company matching, up to 20 weeks of paid pregnancy/parental leave for birth parents (with six weeks for eligible supporting parents), and Amazon’s Resources for Living program, which provides mental health and financial services and support for employees and their families.