Are you looking to work at Amazon? You've probably heard that they're one of the best places to get a job right now. But what exactly is it like working there? And how much will you earn each day? Here's everything you need to know about Amazon's full-time and part-time jobs, including their average salaries and benefits.
As we mentioned earlier this year, Amazon has been making headlines recently because of its new $15 minimum wage policy for all US employees (which includes contractors). It was announced during March's shareholder meeting, where CEO Jeff Bezos also noted he expects his company to reach total profitability within five years. He said: "We are profitable today."
But before you start planning your next career move, check out our guide to getting hired by Amazon first. If you'd rather learn more about other aspects of the company than just money, read up on some of the perks you can expect when starting a new role with them. Here's everything you need to know about Amazon's employee benefits.
If you want to learn more about whether or not you'll be able to find a position at Amazon once the coronavirus pandemic passes, take a look at these tips from The New York Times. They include things you should keep in mind as you apply to positions online, such as if you have any criminal convictions.
Note: This information may change over time as Amazon changes policies. We update this article regularly so please visit again soon!
It seems unlikely that Amazon would raise wages across the board this quickly after announcing plans to increase its minimum wage. However, since President Donald Trump signed into law a bill raising the federal minimum wage to $11 per hour on July 24th, 2020, Amazon has reportedly started offering raises to its lowest paid employees. According to Business Insider, a spokesperson confirmed that the company had raised wages for thousands of employees, but only those who were eligible under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Federal Minimum Wage Law states that companies must offer a 30% raise to anyone earning less than $13 per hour. That means people who make between $10 and $12 per hour are receiving a 20% raise, while employees who make less than $10 per hour receive 100%. Employees who already made more than $13 per hour received no additional benefit.
According to CNBC, Amazon is paying around $14 per hour for seasonal associates and $13 per hour for non-seasonal ones. These numbers represent increases from last year, which saw Amazon paying around $11 per hour for both types of associate.
So far, it appears that Amazon hasn't increased its base wage outside of seasonal hires. In fact, according to CNN Money, the company has reduced the number of hours that seasonal employees work. Seasonal associates typically work 40 hours per week instead of 50, which comes out to around four times the amount of annual income.
When it comes to basic pay, Amazon offers two main options: full-time and part-time. Full-time employees work 36 hours per week, while part-timers work 35 hours. Those who qualify for overtime will usually clock another 4 hours per week. As with many employers, part-time workers get fewer vacation days and sick leave days compared to full-time employees.
Full-time employees tend to get paid an hourly rate slightly higher than the median salary for the area. For example, someone working in San Francisco makes $52,500 annually, meaning that someone who works 39 hours per week (36 + 4) gets paid $17.25 per hour. Part-time employees aren't as lucky. While they don't necessarily make less than the national average, they tend to fall short in terms of cash flow. Someone who clocks 38 hours per week (35 + 3) earns roughly half of the standard hourly rate for part-time workers, coming out to $8.75 per hour.
Part-time workers do receive health insurance coverage, though. Additionally, full-time employees have access to 401(k) retirement savings accounts through Amazon Flex.
In 2020, Amazon offered two different levels of pay depending on where you worked. At least until June 2021, Amazon associates in Arkansas earned more than anywhere else. A typical hourly worker in the state earned an average of $18.50 per hour. Associates in California and Washington DC came close behind with averages of $16.40 and $16.30 per hour respectively.
Associates in Texas, Florida, and Georgia tended to come in lower than everyone else. People in the Lone Star State averaged $14.50 per hour, while Floridians brought home $14.20 per hour. Associates in Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Utah, and West Virginia didn't even crack the top 10 list.
Since 2019, Amazon has divided its workforce geographically across the country. There are currently eight regions: North America, Central America, EMEA (Europe/Middle East/Africa), APAC (Asia Pacific), US Govt, Canada Govt., Latin America, and Global HQ2. Each region focuses on specific geographical areas. So, for instance, Amazon employs more people in the central US than the rest of the world combined.
North America is split into three subregions: Western, Eastern, and Southern. Within each of these three zones, there are further subdivisions. For example, the Western division contains Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and parts of Canada.
There are various bonuses available throughout the year, too. Some regions offer holiday gifts to employees. Others offer special discounts on certain products. And still others give away gift cards every month.
For example, Amazon says that associates in the western zone receive one gift card per month. Meanwhile, those in the eastern zone get two. Finally, associates in the southern zone receive three.
While there's no set schedule for when each bonus goes active, it generally begins sometime in December and ends in January.
You might wonder why Amazon doesn't use the same method to divide itself apart globally. After all, this system allows everyone to see how much they actually earn.
To answer that question, consider that Amazon operates in 170 countries worldwide. Allowing people to view their earnings by geography could lead to discrimination against certain groups of individuals. Plus, there's always the risk that someone would try to game the system.
One thing that isn't changing anytime soon is the way Amazon compensates its employees. Whether you're applying for a new job or trying to decide whether or not you should stay put, here's everything you need to know about the current Amazon salary structure -- and how to maximize your potential earnings.
Are you thinking about becoming an Associate on Amazon? If so, then this article is going to help answer all of your questions regarding the income potential that comes with being one of their most trusted partners!
If you're looking into starting out as an Associate on Amazon, it's important to know exactly what you'll be earning before signing up for anything. We've compiled some information below that will explain everything from the average earnings of an employee to how long it takes to reach $25k/year.
We also have a comprehensive guide to working at Amazon if you'd like more details on the company itself or just want to brush up on any tips and tricks we can offer!
As far as payment goes, there are two types of associates who work directly with customers (or "Associates"):
- Full Time Employees: These people typically receive biweekly payments of between $2,000-$3,500 each. They often work 40 hours per week and may even earn overtime depending on whether they meet certain performance goals during a specific period of time.
- Part-Time Employees: This type of associate works less than 30 hours per week but still gets regular paychecks. It depends greatly on which department they're employed within, but many times these people don't get paid until after the end of the calendar quarter has ended.
There isn't really another kind of employee when it comes to Amazon. You either get full time benefits or you don't. There aren't any other options available.
You might wonder why anyone would choose to become an Associate over something else. Well, let me tell you...
No. Your first paycheck won't come until around 4 months later. That means you could potentially miss 3 consecutive paydays while waiting for your check to arrive. However, once you hit 6 months, you should start seeing a steady flow of checks throughout the entire year.
The median annual wage for an Associate falls somewhere between $28,400-$35,300. The highest amount earned by an individual was $58,700. On top of that, there were 5 individuals making six figures annually.
On average, an employee earns around $12.50/hour. For someone who only worked 20 hours a week, that equates to roughly $30.00/hr. Averaging those numbers together, that person would bring home $37.50/hr.
However, keep in mind that not everyone makes this same number of dollars per hour. Some people work significantly longer hours than others, which obviously results in higher salaries. To give you an idea of how much money you'll actually be bringing home in total, here are three examples of different levels of earnings for Associates:
An Employee who works 60+ hours a week brings home $56,800 per year. A Worker who only works 25 hours per week earns $27,600. An Employee who works 35 hours a week earns $33,200.
In terms of bonuses, the best performing Associates receive anywhere from $1,000-$5,000 extra. Unfortunately, the rest of us cannot expect such lucrative rewards because our salaries are already quite high compared to other jobs.
In 2020, the state of California had an average annual salary of $72,890. Based off of this data alone, an Associate in California should expect to bring home approximately $26.40/hr. Keep in mind, however, that this figure doesn't include additional incentives offered by Amazon.
For example, Amazon offers its Associates a 1% cashback bonus on eligible purchases. In addition to that, they also provide them with 10% back on Prime membership fees. Both of these perks add up quickly, especially considering that most consumers use both services daily.
Overall, the average cost of living in California is relatively low. So, if you live there, you shouldn't find yourself too stressed out about having to spend too much on things like housing costs.
When talking about wages, I mentioned earlier that Associates usually get paid bi-monthly. But there is no set schedule for this process. Instead, you simply wait until you see your next paycheck before deciding whether you want to take it or leave it.
Keep in mind that if you decide to quit early, you won't ever see a refund from Amazon. Once you sign up for the program, you agree to never leave without giving notice. Therefore, if you decide to walk away, you'll owe Amazon whatever you made since the last payday.
It's hard to estimate the exact length of time it takes to reach $25,000, but we did put together some statistics to show you just how fast you can go if you dedicate yourself fully to achieving financial success.
Based off of the aforementioned averages, it would take about 13 years of consistent effort to accumulate $25,000. While this seems like a lot of time, it's certainly possible to achieve this goal in half that amount of time.
To illustrate this point further, here are some ways you can increase your chances of reaching the $25,000 mark sooner rather than later:
- Work 80+ hours per week.
- Spend more than $100 on Amazon products each month.
- Make sure you always try new items on Amazon.
- Always buy your groceries online.
- Donate regularly to charity.
With a little bit of dedication, you should be able to reach the $25,000 milestone in under 12 years. And if you stick with it, you could eventually surpass $100,000 in yearly revenue.
That said, remember that this goal applies strictly to Associates who work exclusively through Amazon. Many Associates supplement their income via side hustles outside of the platform. Others also sell goods on eBay, Etsy or elsewhere.
These methods allow Associates to generate extra funds that wouldn't otherwise exist. As with most things, though, the better approach is to focus solely on Amazon. After all, doing multiple streams of income is risky business.
Have you ever considered joining Amazon Associates? Have you heard horror stories from former employees? Let us know down in the comments section below!
If you're looking to work as an Amazon Associate (or any other online retailer), there are some important things that you need to know before applying! Your first step should be figuring out what your hourly rate will be, because it can vary widely depending on where you live, whether or not you have prior retail sales experience, and even if you want to pursue a higher-paying position with bonuses once you've been working for awhile. Keep reading to learn everything about Amazon's associate program, including how much money you'll earn each hour of work, how long it takes them to review applications, and more.
Before we get into the details, let's take a look at the basics of how Amazon works. If this sounds familiar, then you already understand most of these terms and concepts. The "Associate" term refers to someone who has signed up to sell products through Amazon's website. Each product sold by an Associate earns commission from Amazon, which they keep after paying their own expenses. This means that you don't necessarily receive direct payment for every item you sell -- instead, you might only see a small portion of the sale price. But if you spend enough time selling items on Amazon, your earnings could add up quickly.
So, now that you know all of those basic facts, here's what you need to know about earning money as an Amazon Associate.
Walmart offers $10 an hour plus commissions when you start off as an Assistant Manager. You must pass a background check, complete six weeks training, and go through 90 days probationary period before being eligible to apply. Once you become an AM, you can expect to earn around $12-$15/hour. There are also opportunities to earn extra cash via Walmart Payroll System.
Starting January 1st, 2020, everyone who applies to work for Amazon gets paid a minimum wage of $14.50 per hour. However, Amazon pays more than just its Employees, Associates, and Vendors. They also offer various different types of benefits like health insurance, dental care, 401k plans, and tuition assistance.
The company doesn't disclose exactly what they pay new hires, but they typically start somewhere between $16-$18 per hour. It depends on many factors such as hours worked and previous employment history.
After reaching Associate level, you can increase your income potential by becoming either a Vendor or an Employee. As an Associate, you can expect a starting monthly income anywhere from $1,000-$2,500, while a few years of experience can boost your annual income past $25K.
For example, one person earned over $100K annually in 2019.
Vendors and Employees both receive different perks and benefits, so we recommend checking out our guide to learn more about the specific differences before deciding which category is right for you.
Amazon Associates FAQs, Salary & Benefits | Learn More About Working At Amazon
You won't find exact information regarding Amazon's hourly rates available on their site, but according to Glassdoor, Associates earn a median yearly salary of $48,664. That amounts to roughly $28.80 per hour, though the average is closer to $32.00 per hour. To put that figure into perspective, a full-time worker at McDonald's would earn nearly twice as much ($60K /year) compared to an Amazon Associate.
To calculate how much you'd likely earn at Amazon based on your current skill set, use our calculator below.
Here's a chart showing the typical hourly wages offered by companies across America in 2018. Based on data compiled by Indeed.com, Amazon falls within the top 10 highest paying jobs in the country.
However, this varies greatly depending on location. For instance, people living in San Diego County received a significantly lower hourly rate than those living in Los Angeles County. In fact, people in Los Angeles County were actually earning slightly less than the national average.
This isn't too surprising since LA is home to several large corporations that hire thousands of low-income residents. And although the tech industry accounts for a sizeable chunk of the region's workforce, it's far from the whole story.
In addition to having access to a vast talent pool, employers tend to give priority to candidates with relevant degrees and certifications. Unfortunately, many people choose to ignore this factor when considering career options. Instead, they focus solely on the amount of money they hope to earn.
But it turns out that employers really value skillsets rather than credentials. So, if you decide to skip college altogether, there's still plenty of room for growth. Just remember to prioritize education.
There are two main ways to obtain a degree:
Attending a traditional university
Applying for one online
Although both methods require considerable effort, pursuing one option may provide better results. You'll probably enjoy greater flexibility in choosing classes, schedule, and professors. Plus, you'll save tons of money and avoid debt.
While studying online is certainly easier, attending school face-to-face gives you another opportunity to connect with classmates and teachers. These relationships can improve your learning process and help you develop valuable interpersonal skills.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for recent graduates fell to 5 percent in 2017. On the other hand, the same report showed that the overall labor force participation rate dropped to 63 percent in 2018. Many experts believe that high student loan payments discourage young adults from entering the workplace.
Instead, they opt for pursuing careers that allow them to remain independent. Even if you aren't interested in working for yourself, you should consider investing in your personal development. After all, no matter how good your skills are, you never stop learning.
And here's something else worth noting...
A survey conducted by Georgetown University found that 83% of students admitted that they didn't feel prepared for life after graduation. According to Forbes, approximately 40% of Americans currently hold a bachelor's degree. However, only 12% of U.S. workers possess four-year postsecondary qualifications.
That's why it's essential to continue developing your knowledge throughout your entire lifespan. Whether you like it or not, you'll eventually be forced to leave the nest. And when you reach retirement age, you'll need to rely on yourself for financial security.
Now that you've learned about the basics, here's how to maximize your earnings as an Associate.
It's hard to say exactly how much Amazon pays its Associates due to the nature of the business model. Some reports suggest that the average rate is close to $30/hr. Others claim that the average is closer to $20/hr. Regardless of the number, it's safe to assume that you can easily double it by making consistent efforts to grow your network.
One way to accomplish this goal is by joining local affiliate programs. For example, I'm enrolled in the Amazon Affiliate Program, which allows me to promote Amazon products directly without ever leaving my computer. By signing up, I automatically qualify for Amazon's referral rewards system. Whenever anyone purchases anything using my link, I receive a percentage of the total purchase price.
I recently made $3,800 from promoting just one product. For this reason alone, I highly recommend joining affiliate networks like Commission Junction and ShareASale. Both sites can generate additional revenue streams and bring in leads at the same time!
With that said, if you're looking to make serious money, you'll need to invest significant resources. Fortunately, there are countless tips and tricks you can follow to scale your business faster.
Checkout our article detailing 7 strategies to build a profitable eCommerce store. Also, read our guides to master Facebook Ads, Instagram marketing tactics, email list building, and more. Lastly, if you want to take your Amazon business to the next level, sign up for our Amazon Marketing Training Course today. We promise that you'll walk away with practical insights and actionable advice.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.