Amazon raises average starting wage for workers to $ 18 an hour

Amazon’s average starting salary in the United States has risen to more than $ 18 an hour, the company said on Tuesday. The e-commerce giant is also aiming to hire an additional 125,000 employees in warehouses and transportation, after previously announcing it would add 55,000 people for technological jobs.

Amazon’s average starting salary was around $ 17 in May, and the increase is a response to growing competition, according to Reuters. However, he will apparently maintain his base salary of $ 15 an hour.

Last week Amazon said it was extend the benefits of education it offers American employees. Starting in January, more than 75,000 operations employees will be eligible for payment of their full tuition fees

The wage increases and benefits come as companies compete for workers amid a labor shortage in the United States, but Amazon has come under fire for its treatment of warehouse and delivery workers, including including non-payment of workers for time spent in queue or screened. Amazon employees have protested against conditions amid the pandemic, with some saying sufficient security measures were not in place.