Need extra cash before the holidays? Seasonal jobs are one of the fastest ways to get it. Every fall, retailers, delivery companies and warehouses hire hundreds of thousands of temporary workers to handle the holiday rush, and many hire quickly with flexible hours.
Here’s who’s hiring for the 2026 holiday season, what the jobs pay and how to land one fast.
The short version: Amazon, UPS, Target, USPS and many retailers are hiring now. Warehouse and delivery jobs usually pay the most, often around $20 an hour or more at the big companies, while store jobs offer more flexible hours and employee discounts. Apply as early as you can, since many positions fill by mid-November.
Who’s hiring for the 2026 holidays
Here are some of the biggest seasonal employers this year, based on company announcements and recent reporting:
- Amazon: more than 300,000 seasonal workers for 2026, up from about 250,000 last year. Starting seasonal pay is at least $20 an hour, according to reports, and some roles include benefits. Apply at hiring.amazon.com.
- UPS: about 100,000 seasonal workers, including package handlers, drivers and driver helpers. UPS says hiring can be very fast, sometimes with offers in minutes. Apply at jobs-ups.com.
- Target: seasonal roles at its 2,000-plus stores and dozens of distribution centers, with starting pay listed at $15 to $24 an hour depending on location. Apply at jobs.target.com.
- USPS: more than 10,000 seasonal workers to help with the holiday mail rush. Pay varies by role and location.
- Dick’s Sporting Goods: about 11,000 seasonal associates for the 2026 holiday season.
- Michaels: more than 10,000 seasonal workers, with flexible hours and an employee discount.
Other retailers like Macy’s, Kohl’s and Bath & Body Works also hire seasonal staff most years, so check their career pages too.
Which seasonal job is right for you?
Warehouse and delivery jobs
Pay: usually the highest, often around $18 to $25 an hour or more.
Best for: people who want maximum hours and don’t mind physical work, lifting and standing all shift.
Retail store jobs
Pay: often a bit lower than warehouses.
Best for: students, parents and people with day jobs who need evening or weekend shifts. Many stores offer employee discounts, which can help with your own holiday shopping.
Driver and driver helper jobs
Pay: varies by company and whether you drive or ride along.
Best for: people who like being on the move. Driver helpers often don’t need a special license.
How to get hired fast
- Apply early. Many companies start hiring in September and October, and the best shifts go first.
- Apply to several places. Big employers hire fast, but it helps to have options.
- Be flexible with your schedule. Weekend, evening and holiday availability makes you a stronger candidate.
- Keep your phone on. Some companies make same-day or even on-the-spot offers.
- Ask about staying on. Seasonal jobs sometimes turn into permanent roles if you do well.
Watch out for seasonal job scams
Scammers love holiday job seekers. Be careful if:
- Someone asks you to pay for training, equipment or a background check upfront.
- A “recruiter” contacts you through text or social media and wants to move to a messaging app.
- You’re offered a high-paying “work from home” job after a quick chat with no interview.
- They ask for your bank login or want you to deposit a check and send money back.
Always apply directly through the company’s official careers website.
Don’t forget about taxes
Seasonal pay is taxable income. Large employers will withhold taxes from your paychecks, and you’ll get a W-2 in January. If you take on freelance or gig work instead, like delivery apps or pet sitting, you may need to set money aside for taxes yourself.
Make the most of the extra money
Before the first paycheck lands, decide where it will go. Good options include paying for holiday gifts in cash, paying down a credit card balance or starting an emergency fund. Our guide on how to build an emergency fund shows how to make a little extra money go a long way.
The bottom line
Seasonal jobs are a fast, low-barrier way to earn extra money before the holidays. Apply early, apply widely and watch out for scams. If you’d rather work for yourself, try a flexible gig like a dog walking side hustle or browse our list of side hustles you can start for under $100. And to keep that extra cash from disappearing, plan ahead with our guide to budgeting for the holidays without debt.
Hiring numbers and pay come from company announcements and reporting by The Penny Hoarder and others in fall 2026. Pay varies by location and role, and openings change quickly.
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