Holiday Jobs 2026: Major U.S. Companies Hiring Seasonal and Temporary Workers This December
Amazon, UPS, Target, USPS, and other major employers are recruiting for the holiday rush. Discover who's hiring, what jobs are available, how much you could earn, and where to apply.
The holiday hiring season is officially underway, and some of America's largest employers are recruiting hundreds of thousands of workers to handle the Christmas shopping rush, online orders, package deliveries, and year-end customer demand.
Whether you're a college student looking for extra income, a parent seeking flexible hours, someone between jobs, or a worker hoping to turn a temporary position into permanent employment, November and December 2026 offer opportunities across retail, warehousing, transportation, customer service, and hospitality.
Amazon has announced more than 300,000 holiday-season hires, while UPS plans to recruit over 100,000 workers nationwide. Target, Michaels, DICK'S Sporting Goods, and the U.S. Postal Service are also among the employers offering seasonal opportunities.
According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, employers had announced approximately 470,400 seasonal hiring plans through October 2026, a 26% increase compared with the same period in 2025. However, hiring remains concentrated among fewer large employers, making it especially important to apply early and monitor job openings regularly.
Major Companies Hiring for the 2026 Holiday Season
The following table highlights announced seasonal hiring plans and employers with dedicated holiday recruitment programs.
Company | 2026 hiring plans | Main opportunities |
|---|---|---|
Amazon | 300,000+ | Fulfillment, sorting, delivery operations |
UPS | 100,000+ | Package handlers, drivers, driver helpers |
USPS | 10,000+ | Postal processing, delivery support |
DICK'S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker | 11,000+ | Retail sales, store operations |
Michaels | 10,000+ | Retail associates, stocking |
Target | Number not announced | Store associates, fulfillment, overnight shifts |
Amazon: More Than 300,000 Holiday Jobs Across the United States
Average seasonal pay: approximately $20/hour
Amazon is one of the biggest employers to watch this holiday season, with seasonal, part-time, and full-time positions across its U.S. operations network.
Available job categories can include fulfillment center associates, warehouse workers, sorting associates, and other logistics positions. Many roles offer flexible schedules, including evening, overnight, and weekend shifts.
Amazon says seasonal workers earn an average of approximately $20 per hour, while full-time operations employees have a minimum starting wage of $20 per hour.
Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible seasonal employees working at least 30 hours per week will also gain access to healthcare coverage under the company's announced program.
Why apply? Amazon posts new opportunities weekly from October through December, meaning applicants who don't find an opening immediately may have another opportunity later.
Apply: Amazon Seasonal Jobs
UPS: More Than 100,000 Seasonal Positions
UPS is recruiting workers at hundreds of U.S. locations to manage the surge in deliveries leading up to Christmas.
Common seasonal positions include package handlers, driver helpers, and delivery drivers. The work can be physically demanding, particularly for warehouse and package-handling positions, but it can also offer an accessible route into logistics employment.
UPS emphasizes flexible shifts and a simplified application process. Some applicants may receive a job offer in as little as seven minutes, although actual hiring times vary.
The company is also holding its annual nationwide job fair on November 6–7, 2026.
Why apply? Seasonal UPS positions can provide valuable experience in logistics and may lead to permanent employment, although conversion is not guaranteed.
Apply: UPS Careers
Target: Holiday Retail and Fulfillment Opportunities
Positions include guest services, fulfillment, inbound stocking, food and beverage, beauty, electronics, and general merchandise.
Target offers competitive pay, team member discounts, and benefits that may begin on the first day, subject to eligibility. Some early-morning and overnight positions offer additional pay.
Why apply? Target may be especially attractive to applicants who prefer customer-facing work, want retail experience, or need flexible part-time schedules.
Apply: Target Seasonal Careers
U.S. Postal Service (USPS): More Than 10,000 Seasonal Workers
The U.S. Postal Service has reported hiring a little more than 10,000 seasonal employees to support the 2026 holiday mailing and shipping season.
Job seekers should monitor openings in mail processing, package handling, postal support, and delivery-related operations.
USPS says package and mail volumes rise substantially during the final months of the year. However, its seasonal workforce is smaller than in previous years, so competition may be significant.
Why apply? Postal jobs can provide experience in distribution, transportation, and public-service operations.
Apply: USPS Careers
DICK'S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker: More Than 11,000 Jobs
DICK'S Sporting Goods and Foot Locker are planning more than 11,000 seasonal hires across their retail brands for the 2026 holiday shopping season.
The plan includes approximately 8,400 teammates across DICK'S Sporting Goods, House of Sport, Going Going Gone!, and Public Lands, plus approximately 2,900 across Foot Locker and related brands in North America.
Seasonal workers can receive competitive hourly wages, employee discounts, and access to certain benefits depending on eligibility.
Although DICK'S National Signing Day took place in October, the company says recruitment continues until positions are filled.
Why apply? These roles can be an excellent fit for people interested in sports, athletic footwear, fashion, and customer service.
Apply: DICK'S Sporting Goods Jobs or Foot Locker Careers
Michaels: More Than 10,000 Holiday Positions
Michaels announced plans to recruit more than 10,000 seasonal team members across the United States and Canada for its holiday shopping season.
Seasonal roles may involve customer assistance, stocking merchandise, maintaining displays, and helping shoppers find craft supplies and holiday decorations.
Michaels offers flexible scheduling, competitive wages, and a 30% team member discount.
One particularly interesting detail: Michaels reported that nearly 50% of its seasonal in-store positions converted to regular roles following the previous holiday season. That historical result is not a guarantee for 2026 applicants.
Why apply? Michaels may appeal to creative people, students, and anyone interested in a retail job with potential for longer-term employment.
Apply: Michaels Jobs
Other Major U.S. Employers Worth Checking This December
Not every major retailer or logistics company has announced a nationwide seasonal hiring target for 2026. However, job seekers should not overlook employers that regularly operate large retail, fulfillment, transportation, and customer-service networks.
The following companies are worth checking for local temporary, part-time, or holiday-related vacancies. Inclusion does not mean a specific 2026 seasonal hiring campaign or currently open position has been confirmed.
Employer | Positions to search for | Careers |
|---|---|---|
Walmart | Stocking, online order fulfillment, store associates | |
FedEx | Package handling, warehouse operations, transportation | |
Kohl's | Sales associates, fulfillment, stocking | |
Macy's | Sales, beauty, fulfillment, customer service | |
Best Buy | Sales, inventory, customer support | |
Home Depot | Store support, freight, order fulfillment | |
Lowe's | Retail, stocking, warehouse support | |
TJX (T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods) | Store associates, merchandise processing |
Applicants should also check local grocery chains, hotels, restaurants, catering businesses, and event venues. These employers may advertise shorter-term work without using the word "seasonal" in the job title.
Which Holiday Jobs Could Pay the Most?
Pay depends on location, experience, shift, employer, and job responsibilities.
Warehouse and logistics positions can be attractive because some offer night shifts, weekend work, or overtime. However, workers should compare actual job postings rather than assume every seasonal position comes with premium pay.
Example: Potential gross earnings at $20 per hour
20 hours/week
$400
Before taxes30 hours/week
$600
Before taxes40 hours/week
$800
Before taxesFor applicants prioritizing income, comparing the number of guaranteed hours can be just as important as comparing hourly wages.
How to Get Hired Faster for a December 2026 Seasonal Job
Competition for popular holiday jobs can be intense, particularly at well-known employers. Taking a few practical steps can improve your chances.
Apply in early November. Many employers recruit ahead of Black Friday and the December delivery rush.
Search multiple job titles. Try "seasonal associate," "temporary warehouse worker," "holiday fulfillment," "package handler," and "part-time retail."
Be clear about your availability. Employers may need evening, overnight, weekend, or holiday coverage.
Prepare a short resume. Highlight reliability, customer service, teamwork, physical work experience, and scheduling flexibility.
Check official career pages regularly. Some companies, including Amazon, add new openings throughout the season.
Respond quickly to interview invitations. Seasonal recruitment can move faster than conventional hiring.
Ask about permanent opportunities. Some employers retain seasonal employees after the holiday rush.
Can a Temporary Holiday Job Become Permanent?
Yes. A seasonal position can sometimes become a pathway to long-term employment.
Amazon and UPS both discuss potential transitions from seasonal roles into ongoing employment. Michaels has also reported substantial conversion of seasonal store positions into regular roles in the previous year.
Still, applicants should never assume that temporary employment automatically becomes permanent.
If your goal is to stay after the holidays, communicate that interest early, maintain dependable attendance, and ask your supervisor about future openings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Jobs 2026
Is November too late to apply for Christmas jobs?
No. Early November is still a useful time to apply. Some employers continue hiring through December, although availability becomes more limited as positions fill.
Can I get a seasonal job without previous experience?
Yes. Some entry-level retail and warehouse positions provide on-the-job training. Requirements vary by employer and position.
Are there seasonal jobs that offer flexible hours?
Yes. Retail stores, fulfillment centers, and delivery companies may offer part-time, evening, overnight, or weekend schedules. Flexibility depends on the specific opening.
Which companies have announced the largest holiday hiring plans for 2026?
Amazon and UPS lead the major announcements identified here, with more than 300,000 and 100,000 planned hires, respectively.
Are remote seasonal jobs available?
Temporary remote customer service and support positions may be available, but they are generally less common than in-person retail, fulfillment, and delivery roles. Check whether a remote listing has geographic or equipment requirements.
How can I avoid holiday job scams?
Apply through verified company career pages, never pay a fee to secure a job, and be cautious about unsolicited messages asking for banking information or identity documents before a legitimate hiring process.
Don't Wait Until December to Start Applying
The 2026 holiday season presents meaningful opportunities for Americans looking to earn extra income, gain professional experience, or explore a new career path.
With major hiring announcements from Amazon, UPS, USPS, DICK'S Sporting Goods, and Michaels, along with opportunities at Target and other retailers, job seekers have several places to begin their search.
The best strategy is simple: apply early, compare pay and schedules, and keep checking for newly posted positions.
Your next opportunity could begin with a temporary holiday job — and potentially continue well beyond the New Year.
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