Amazon Employee Referral Program (How It Works + More)

Sometimes, at large companies, employees can earn a bonus on their paychecks if they refer a friend or family member to work alongside them at the company.

Because of how giant Amazon is, you may wonder if Amazon has an employee referral program, and if so, how much of a bonus can employees earn for each referral? I’ve done all the research, and here’s what I’ve found out!

Amazon Employee Referral Program

According to Amazon employees, you receive $125 for each referral hired to a Tier 1 position and lasts 60 days in said position as of 2024. Additionally, some Amazon warehouses offer sign-on bonuses, depending on the time of year. However, other ways for Amazon employees to earn bonuses include good performance and during the holidays.

To learn more about Amazon’s referral program and other financial benefits available to Amazon employees, keep reading!

How Much Does Amazon Award Employees For Referrals?

According to former Amazon employees, an employee earns $125 for each referral hired to a “Tier 1” position.

At Amazon, a “Tier 1” position is in any job in the warehouse, a package handler, or any other entry-level position.

Additionally, the referral has to stay with Amazon for at least 60 days to earn the referral money. Also, according to former employees, there doesn’t appear to be a referral limit at Amazon.

Does Amazon Offer a Sign-On Bonus?

Yes, Amazon does offer sign-on bonuses. However, sign-on bonuses strictly rely on the time of year and how desperate Amazon is for more workers.

With that, there have recently been substantial sign-on bonuses at Amazon.

For example, some Amazon warehouses offer as much as a $1,000 signing bonus alongside a $100 bonus if new hires meet specific requirements.

To find out if the Amazon warehouse near you offers any sign-on bonus, feel free to give them a call or look up local job postings.

Do Referrals Make a Difference During the Amazon Interview Process?

If one of your friends referred you for a new position at Amazon, you might be curious if it will help you during the interviewing process.

According to past and present Amazon employees, a good referral from somebody already working at Amazon always helps.

However, even the best referral doesn’t automatically guarantee you’ll get a job at Amazon, and it won’t give you priority over somebody with better qualifications.

A good referral helps you secure the interview, but it’s up to you to secure the job.

Additionally, a referral gives you the edge if an Amazon hiring manager is deciding between two employees for a position. Overall, a referral from a friend or family member doesn’t hurt!

Does Amazon Give Its Employees Bonuses?

Do Referrals Make A Difference During The Amazon Interview Process?

Yes, Amazon does give its employees bonuses throughout the year. However, some rewards depend on individual performance or the time of year.

For example, Amazon gets very busy during the holiday season because more people buy gifts, decorations, etc.

With that, Amazon awards its employees with bonuses during the holiday season because they’re expected to keep up with the higher demand of orders.

According to Amazon employees, holiday bonuses are usually $150 for part-time workers and $300 for full-time workers.

Also, if you prove you’re a hard worker and continually meet or exceed the expectations of your role, you may earn a bonus at any point in the year.

Does Amazon Offer Its Employees Other Financial Benefits?

In addition to referral and holiday bonuses, Amazon offers its employees various other financial benefits.

With that, one of Amazon’s most well-received financial benefits provided to employees is the 401(k) plan. 

For every $1 an Amazon employee contributes to their 401(k) plan, Amazon contributes $0.50 to their account in the form of matching contributions.

However, you can only contribute up to 4% of your eligible pay to your 401(k) for Amazon to match. Additionally, catch-up contributions made by employees are not matched by Amazon.

Additionally, it’s important to note that you become vested in Amazon’s matching contributions after being credited with three years of vesting services.

With that, a year of vesting service is defined as a calendar year in which you complete 1,000 hours of work at Amazon.

Also, Amazon wants to make its 401(k) plan available to as many of its employees as possible.

So, Amazon employees ages 18 years or older are eligible to join the program as soon as they are hired.

What Other Benefits Do Amazon Employees Have Access To?

At Amazon, the benefits don’t stop at the financial perks employees have access to, as there are several other benefits of working at Amazon.

For example, some of the benefits and perks Amazon employees can access include:

  • Medical coverage (for both the employee and eligible dependents)
  • Dental coverage (for both the employee and eligible dependents)
  • Vision coverage (for both the employee and eligible dependents)
  • Paid time off
  • 10% discount on Amazon merchandise
  • Access to an employee discount program (eligible discounts on travel, event tickets, cell phone services, restaurants, entertainment, sports, and more)

To learn more about Amazon, you can also see our posts on Amazon employee discounts, Amazon background check policy, and the Amazon HR policy.

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Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

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