{
  "id": 7844727,
  "title": "Amazon raises starting pay to $20 an hour and adds Whole Foods discount",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/amazon-raises-starting-pay-to-20-an-hour-and-adds-whole-foods-discount",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-16T17:43:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/sep/16/amazon-minimum-wage-whole-foods-benefit"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Amazon has increased its minimum wage for US employees to $20 per hour, aligning it with Costco's lowest starting pay. The company's average wage has risen to $24 per hour, a $1 increase from its previous starting level. Amazon is also introducing a new benefit, offering Whole Foods Market shoppers unlimited 10% off on eligible fresh groceries and everyday essentials online, plus 20% off in-store purchases at Whole Foods. This wage increase brings Amazon's minimum pay in line with Costco, which has also raised its lowest pay to $20 per hour, with most workers earning over $30 per hour. Both retailers offer higher starting pay than most competitors, with Target at $15 per hour and Walmart at $14. Amazon employs about 1.1 million US workers, ranking second among private employers, behind Walmart. The company has also created 390,000 delivery service provider jobs, operated by contractors. Amazon's senior vice-president of worldwide operations, Udit Madan, emphasized the company's commitment to continuous improvement, stating that these wage investments aim to support employee and family well-being in the long term.",
  "summary": "Wage increase brings Amazon’s US minimum pay in line with Costco and includes new grocery discount benefit Amazon has raised its minimum wage in the US to $20 an hour, with average pay at the company reaching $24 an hour, according to the company. The pay increase represents a $1 increase from its starting level. Continue reading...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Insider",
        "title": "Amazon is upping its minimum hourly wage for operations workers — and offering employees a new Whole Foods discount",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/amazon-is-upping-its-minimum-hourly-wage-for-operations-workers-and",
        "published": "2026-09-16T15:50:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Fast Company",
        "title": "Amazon increases starting hourly wage and discounts for employees",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/amazon-increases-starting-hourly-wage-and-discounts-for-employees",
        "published": "2026-09-16T18:11:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}