10 Seasonal Jobs Hiring at $15 per Hour or More

If you’ve participated in the seasonal job market in the past, you’re probably acutely aware of employer desperation when it comes to filling roles to meet holiday demand. 

This year is setting up to be no different. And while the numbers aren’t as eye-popping as they’ve been in years past, due to low unemployment and signs of a tepid economy, merchants have still announced over 400,000 seasonal openings they look to cash in on the busy season. 

“Many are pulling out every stop they can think of. They’re raising wages. They’re offering an increased number of jobs with benefits. They’re offering flexible schedules. They’re literally offering entry-level job seekers the opportunity to go to college and have it paid for,” says Ian Siegal, CEO of ZipRecruiter._[1]

If you’re out of a job, looking for more hours, or simply searching for new opportunities, you’ll be happy to know that the holiday season – coined the “hiring season” – is just around the corner.

10 Companies Hiring Seasonal Workers at $15 Per Hour (or More)

From traditional seasonal jobs at retailers like Kohl’s and Macy’s to packing and delivery-oriented jobs with shipping companies like FedEx and UPS, all the way to online jobs with tech giants like Amazon and Radial (eBay’s parent organization) – large companies are offering perks beyond just a high base salary to lure in potential workers.

1. Target

Target announced it is hiring an additional 100,000 new team members for its nearly 2,000 stores, distribution centers, and fulfillment centers across the world. There are job openings in logistics, sales, cashiering, inventory management, and food services (some locations have cafes on-site).

Employees receive a 10% discount on Target merchandise and get 20% off wellness purchases. Target’s On Demand initiative also aims to allow workers with inconsistent schedules to pick up hours more flexibly._[2]

Seasonal workers also get access to free mental health and virtual doctor visits during their employment period. 

Current Openings:  100,000
Pay:  Starting at $15.00 per hour
Apply:  Search Target Job Openings

2. Walmart

Like their giant commerce competitors, Walmart has upped the pay ante by offering workers an average wage of nearly $17 per hour to help with their retail, curbside, and online positions. With over 10,000 locations, 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a store — meaning your daily commute doesn’t have to present as a lump of coal this holiday season. 

Walmart has signaled they won’t be hiring as many seasonal workers as they usually do for 2023, but are instead focused on hiring or relocating workers to locations where employee needs are greatest. For example, they’re currently offering $7,500 for workers to move to their Lancaster, TX location._[3] 

Associates have realistic pathways towards career advancement — 75% of salaried store management began their careers as hourly employees — and Walmart currently offers 100% tuition and book reimbursement through their Live Better U program.

If you transition to a full-time role, additional perks include:

• Paid time off
• No-cost counseling
• 401(k) with a 15% match up to $1,800 yearly
• Parental leave and more

Current Openings: 500
Pay:  $15 per hour and up
Apply:  Search Walmart Job Openings

Related: 15 Festive Ways to Make Extra Money for Christmas 

3. UPS

UPS hires package handlers, drivers, and  “driver helpers” to help with the holiday rush. That rush applies to hiring too, as UPS says they’re looking to go from application to “hired” in 30 minutes or less for the 2023-2024 holiday season._[4]

According to a company spokesman, “over 74% of seasonal workers wanted their temporary position to turn into a long-term job” — a huge positive for someone looking for lengthier opportunities. 

With pay starting between $21 and $23 per hour, temp employees can further boost their earnings by electing to participate in the company’s Earn and Learn program, which pays up to $25,000 (lifetime maximum) towards an employee’s higher education expenses._[5]

Current Openings:  100,000
Pay:  $21 to $23 per hour (certain locations offer weekly bonuses of $100 to $200)
Apply:  Search UPS Job Openings

4. JCPenny

J.C. Penney’s is looking to add around 10,000 new cashiers and sales associates to their 650 retail stores in the United States. They’re also hiring operations associates to help with backroom inventory and merchandise replenishment._[6]

Perks are location-dependent but include up to a $3 per hour “Premium Hour” boost for high-demand periods, 25% employee discounts on merchandise, and unlimited $300 bonuses for referred employees.

Current Openings:  10,000
Pay:  Up to $17.00 per hour (with Premium Hour incentives) 
Apply:  Search JCPenney’s Job Openings

5. Kohl’s

Kohl’s is getting in on the seasonal action and opening its doors to new sales, freight and distribution associates. Kohl’s sales associates typically help stock merchandise, provide customer service, fill online orders, and assist with credit operations.

Their freight and distribution associates typically help with order packaging and delivery.

Associates will receive a 15% store discount and get paid weekly — a convenient perk for those needing near-immediate cash flow. 

Current Openings:  Thousands (not specified) 
Pay:  Starting at $13 to $15.00 per hour
Apply:  Search Kohl’s Job Openings

6. Radial

Radial is looking to fill over 10,000 open positions in its fulfillment and customer service centers. Workers help source and send the surge of orders the company is expecting over the holidays._[7]

Wages for Radial’s seasonal workers are location-dependent but start at $15 per hour and go higher from there, according to a company spokesman. They provide some of the highest-paying seasonal jobs available. Employees will also have the opportunity to be brought on as permanent team members.

Current Openings:  10,000
Pay:  $15 per hour and up
Apply:  Search Radial Job Openings

7. FedEx

FedEx is looking for new packagers and drivers this holiday season. They’re additionally looking for roles in data science and IT. If you think you can handle a warehouse or brave the elements, or have computer smarts, FedEx is positing jobs with wages starting at $16 per hour for all shifts (morning, day, evening, and overnight, with premium pay for full-time workers). 

Current Openings:  Hundreds (not specified)
Pay:  Starting at $16 per hour + incentives 
Apply:  Search FedEx Job Openings

8. Macy’s

Mac’s is looking to fill nearly 38,000 seasonal jobs between their retail storefronts, fulfillment facilities, online chat jobs, and over-the-phone customer service roles, and nearly 1,000 support staff for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and other holiday events.

Notable perks include: 

• Up to 20% merchandise discount
• Flexible scheduling
• Regular, optional overtime shifts
• $500 employee referral bonus
• Additional $2 per hour weekend bonus program
• Path to Growth Incentive
• Quarterly bonus offered to qualifying colleagues

Current Openings:  38,000
Pay:  Starting at $15 per hour (plus incentives)
Apply:  Search Macy’s Job Openings

9. Amazon

It’s no surprise that one of the world’s largest companies is looking for some serious manpower this time of year. Specifically, they’re looking for help filling 250,000 full and part-time fulfillment and transportation jobs. 

“The e-commerce giant also wrote in a blog post that it will invest $1.3 billion this year toward pay hikes for warehouse and transportation employees, raising the average pay for those roles from $19 to over $20.50 per hour,” according to the hiring announcement._[8]

While Amazon has caught flak in the past for their hiring and pay practices, the new wage and bonus offerings are amongst the highest we’ve seen for seasonal workers, especially those interested in continuing work after the holidays. 

Current Openings:  250,000
Pay:  $19 per hour and up
Apply:  Search Amazon Job Openings

10. 1-800-Flowers

1-800-Flowers, alongside companies like FTD, are looking for customer service associates to help with the surge in holiday flower requests. Employees would be helping fulfill, track, and troubleshoot the large volume of orders coming through during the Christmas, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day seasons (no need to worry about a crash course on becoming a florist although those positions are open too).

Temporary employees with good track records and great attendance are often invited to stay on as permanent team members.

Current Openings:  8,000
Pay:  $15 to $17 per hour depending on the position 
Apply:  Search 1-800-Flowers Job Openings

“Temp” Jobs Can Lead to Full-Time Opportunities

Many of the seasonal jobs posted are temporary (to help with the holiday rush) while others help fill vacant full-time positions; many have great benefits.

Having your foot halfway in the door, even in a temporary role, is a great way to secure a more permanent position and advance your career.

Related: 5 Financial Mistakes to Avoid This Holiday Season