Holiday Jobs Hiring Now (2026): Who Is Hiring for the Season and How to Apply
See who is hiring for the 2026 holiday season, from Amazon warehouses to Macy's and pop-up stores, with typical pay and simple steps to apply.
See which employers are hiring for the 2026 holiday season and how to apply for seasonal work before roles fill up.
Holiday jobs help people earn extra money from October to January, often with flexible shifts and no long-term commitment. Warehouses, stores and pop-up shops add thousands of workers for the busiest shopping weeks of the year.
Some of the largest US employers have already announced their 2026 seasonal hiring plans.
Many roles need no experience and include on-the-job training.
Hiring usually peaks in October and November, so applying early gives you more choice of shifts.
Some seasonal workers are kept on after the holidays as part-time or full-time staff.
Experts expect slightly fewer seasonal retail jobs than last year, so it pays to apply to several employers.
Knowing what each type of job involves helps you pick the right one.
📦 Warehouse and Delivery Jobs
Online orders surge in November and December, so fulfillment centers and parcel companies need extra hands. Shifts often run overnight or on weekends and many pay more than store roles.
On October 20, 2026, Amazon said it is creating more than 300,000 seasonal, part-time and full-time jobs across its US operations network.
- Amazon: picking, packing, sorting and shipping customer orders. Amazon says seasonal workers earn an average of $20 per hour and full-time roles start at a minimum of $20 per hour.
- UPS: package handling, loading trailers and driver helper routes during peak season.
- FedEx: sorting parcels at hubs and loading delivery vans.
Supervisors look for a steady pace, attention to safety and the stamina to stand and lift through a full shift.
🛍️ Department and Specialty Store Jobs
Stores need more cashiers, stock associates and fitting-room staff as holiday shoppers arrive. These roles suit people who enjoy helping customers and can work evenings and weekends.
- Macy's: part-time store roles at Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury, plus supply chain positions. Macy's has nationwide hiring events on October 22 and November 19, 2026.
- Michaels: more than 10,000 seasonal team members across the US and Canada, helping with crafts, décor and checkout.
- Dick's Sporting Goods: about 8,400 seasonal hires across its store brands, covering sales floor, checkout and stock.
- Foot Locker: about 2,900 seasonal team members across Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, WSS and Champs Sports.
Store managers value reliability, friendly service and availability on the busiest days, such as Black Friday weekend.
🎃 Pop-Up and Seasonal Store Jobs
Temporary stores open for just a few weeks, so they hire quickly and often need staff to set up, run and close the shop.
- Spirit Halloween: planned to hire 52,000 seasonal associates for a record 1,575 pop-up stores in the US and Canada. Most of these roles end soon after October 31.
- Holiday pop-ups and mall kiosks: gift, calendar and décor sellers that run from November to early January.
These employers look for people who can start quickly, handle busy weekends and help with setup and teardown.
💵 What Holiday Jobs Pay
Pay depends on the employer, your city and your shift. As a guide, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports these national median hourly wages for May 2025:
- Retail sales workers: $17.10
- Hand laborers and material movers (warehouse): $18.38
- Fast food and counter workers: $15.00
Some employers publish their own figures, such as Amazon's average of $20 per hour for seasonal roles in 2026. Always check the pay shown in the official job posting.
✨ Advantages of Holiday Jobs
- 💰 Extra income: earn before the holidays and the new year.
- 🕒 Flexible shifts: evenings, weekends, overnight and part-time options.
- 🎓 No degree needed: most roles train you on the job.
- 🏷️ Employee discounts: many retailers offer store discounts to seasonal staff.
- 📈 A foot in the door: strong seasonal workers are often offered permanent roles.
Seasonal work is temporary, so ask about end dates, hours and whether there is a chance to stay on before you accept.
📊 Holiday Jobs at a Glance
This table compares the main types of seasonal work so you can decide where to apply first.
| Job Type | Flexibility | Company Examples | Typical Routine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse and Delivery | High, overnight and weekend shifts | Amazon, UPS, FedEx | Picking, packing, sorting, loading |
| Department and Specialty Stores | Medium, evenings and weekends | Macy's, Michaels, Dick's, Foot Locker | Checkout, stocking, helping shoppers |
| Pop-Up and Seasonal Stores | High, short contracts | Spirit Halloween, holiday kiosks | Setup, sales, closing the store |
📌 How to Apply, Step by Step
Official careers pages are the safest place to apply. Use this checklist to move quickly.
| What to Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Choose warehouse, store or pop-up work | Matches the job to your schedule and energy |
| Apply on official careers pages (amazon.com/localjobs, macysJOBS.com, Work4Spirit.com) | Real openings and no fees |
| Check dates for local hiring events | Some offer same-day interviews |
| List the dates and hours you can work | Seasonal managers schedule around availability |
| Prepare ID and work authorization documents | Every US employer checks them on Form I-9 |
| Reply quickly to texts and emails | Seasonal roles often fill within days |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply for holiday jobs?
How many seasonal jobs are there in 2026?
Do I need experience?
Are there any fees to apply?
Can a holiday job become permanent?
How much do holiday jobs pay?
Apply to two or three employers at once, because seasonal roles fill fast.
Go to an in-person hiring event if one is near you, since some offer interviews on the spot.
Be clear about the dates and hours you can work, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Keep your phone nearby, as many employers send interview invites and start dates by text.
Ask on day one what it takes to be kept on after the season ends.
Retail Sales Workers: Official Pay Data
BLS data on pay, job outlook and training for retail sales workers.
View Official DataDisclaimer
Jobverso is an independent information site. We are not an employer or recruiter and are not affiliated with the companies or agencies mentioned. Hiring numbers and pay come from public announcements and official data and can change at any time. Always check official job postings before applying. No job or outcome is guaranteed, and you should never pay anyone for a job offer.
Sources: Amazon, "Amazon creates over 300,000 new U.S. jobs this holiday season" (October 20, 2026); Macy's, Inc. seasonal hiring announcement (September 24, 2026); Spirit Halloween seasonal hiring announcement (June 2026); Michaels, Dick's Sporting Goods and Foot Locker seasonal hiring plans as reported in October 2026; Challenger, Gray & Christmas holiday hiring forecast (October 2026); US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook (May 2025 wage data). Last updated: October 2026.
