Amazon Assessment Test
Offering over 950,000 jobs in the United States, tens of thousands of which are available at any given time, Amazon is a top employer for many Americans. However, the recruitment process can be quite complicated and depends on the job you are applying for. That's why we at HiringProcess.Careers are here to walk you through each step of the process. Find out how to apply, ace your interview and assessments, and succeed in becoming an Amazon employee.
About the Company
Amazon was founded on July 5, 1994, by Jeff Bezos as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has since grown tremendously - so much so, that it is now one of the Big Five companies in the United States. Amazon has hundreds of fulfillment centers, headquarters, corporate offices, data centers, retail locations, and technology hubs, scattered across the United States. As a result, the company offers jobs to thousands of applicants in many different fields.
General Recruitment Process
The recruitment process at Amazon may differ between the various positions, mainly with regard to the Assessment stage. Even so, the general process is generally the same. Let's take a look at each of the steps:
Step 1: Online Application
The recruitment process for an hourly position at Amazon (e.g., in a Fulfillment Center or Warehouse) is slightly different (e.g., you don't need to upload a CV). You can find more information via the following link.
The first step in the recruitment process at Amazon (as for most companies) is the online application. This is done directly on the Amazon Jobs site. You can search for relevant positions through a number of filters; by job title, location, field, or by keywords. Once you have found a job you want to apply for, click on "Apply now" – this will take you to the login screen. If you don't have an Amazon account, now is the time to create one. Creating your profile requires you to fill in your personal information, as well as upload your resume. You can do this in several ways: directly from your computer; through your LinkedIn profile; OneDrive, Google Drive, or DropBox. Amazon does not accept letters of recommendation, so there is no need to try to upload them as well.
The second step in the online application is to fill out some general information, including your education level and other details attaining to your eligibility to work at Amazon. You can also fill in information about your military or ex-military status, as Amazon actively recruits veterans and their spouses.
Amazon only contacts candidates who they deem may be a good fit for the specific position they are applying for and with whom they would like to move on to the next stage of recruitment.
Step 2: Amazon Assessment
The Assessment step may vary depending on the position you are applying for and its requirements (for example technical experience). Amazon has many different assessments, some created by them, and some created in collaboration with certain test vendors (Ramsay, Watson-Glaser, and others). Among the non-technical assessments owned by Amazon are the two most widely used: the Work Styles Assessment and the Work Simulation. These two "Behavioral Assessments" allow Amazon to analyze the candidate's behavior and to see if it corresponds to the company's culture. There is also a Writing Assessment that some candidates must take, but this test is not mandatory for every position.
Did you know? At Amazon, PowerPoint is not used for presentations and meetings! Instead, the person giving the presentation has to write a few pages in advance summarizing their presentation, and hand a copy to each participant prior to the meeting. For this reason, Amazon requires contenders for certain positions to take a Writing Assessment intended to evaluate their ability to share written information in a clear and concise way.
Who Proceeds to the Interview Stage?
If you pass your online assessment, you will be contacted by a recruiter for a Phone/Video Interview. Depending on your results in the online assessment, you will be classified as one of the following:
- Highly recommended
- Recommended
- Not recommended
- Highly unrecommended
If you are placed in the last category, you do not proceed to the next step. However, with any of the other three, you may have a chance. It all depends on the job in question; recruiters must decide in advance from which category they wish to select candidates for a specific position. If looking for candidates with a specific profile, they might decide to meet only the "Highly Recommended" candidates. If, on the other hand, they wish to interview a wider array of candidates, then the position may be opened to people from all three categories.
Step 3: Phone Screen Interview/ Video Interview
The next step is the phone screen or phone interview (although a pre-screen phone interview may be required prior to the assessment step as well). There may even be several separate phone screens, each lasting an average of 45 to 60 minutes. These interviews take place on different days. Although they are all termed phone interviews, some may be conducted through Amazon Chime, Amazon's video conferencing platform. If so, the recruiter may or may not ask you to turn on your webcam, so make sure to be presentable just in case.
What do phone interviews consist of? As with most jobs, the first thing you discuss will typically be your career and past experiences. The best way to answer the interviewer's questions on this topic is by using the STAR method, detailed on the next page. The next phone screen interview may be conducted by your hiring manager, for example, and it is in this interview that you will discuss the job you are applying for. Take advantage of this step to ask as many questions as possible, especially regarding the Leadership Principles that are considered most important for the role. Keep in mind that each position at Amazon involves three or four main LPs.
Step 4: On-Site Interview (Loop)
You have now reached the On-Site or In-Person Interview, commonly known as "The Loop", which takes place in the Amazon offices, the address of which will have been communicated to you by email previously. This step consists of two to seven consecutive interviews, each conducted by a different interviewer. The process may involve different types of interviews, depending on the specific job. For example, some interviews may be technical and involve various assessments. Regardless of the role you are applying for, you will be required to complete behavioral interviews, which require you to integrate Amazon's Leadership Principles, the STAR method, and your past work experience.
Leadership Principles
At Amazon, the Leadership Principles (LP) are sacred. They are the foundation of all the company's projects, as well as approaches to various problems. The LPs are used on a daily basis at Amazon, both among employees and when recruiting new candidates. As mentioned earlier, each position has several integral LPs. Up until 2021 there were 14 different LPs; today there are 16.
The Leadership Principles:
1. Customer Obsession
The first rule of Amazon - the customer is king. The customer's interest is always placed first, even in the face of competition.
2. Ownership
"Amazonians" are personally invested in their projects, with the goal of achieving long-term results, not short-term solutions. Their goal is to act for the entire company, all the time.
3. Invent and Simplify
Amazon employees must always strive towards innovation and invention and push both themselves and their teams towards such goals. They look for new ideas everywhere and are always finding new ways to simplify their projects and ideas.
4. Are Right, A Lot
Even when Amazonians are right (which is often), they always question their views and beliefs in order to arrive at the best possible decisions.
5. Learn and Be Curious
At Amazon, every employee should be inquisitive and constantly be willing to learn new things.
6. Hire and Develop the Best
At Amazon, every new hire must help "raise the bar" for the company. Hired candidates are those with exceptional talents that will help to grow and expand the business.
7. Insist on the Highest Standards
One of the key rules for Amazon's leaders is to continually set high standards and expectations for themselves and their teams. They don't let anything go wrong, and they make sure that problems are fixed permanently and quickly.
8. Think Big
Only by thinking big can you accomplish big things. Amazon employees are ambitious and don't limit themselves to trivial solutions. Their goal is to achieve innovative results to ensure customer satisfaction.
9. Bias for Action
According to Amazon, it is better to act and take risks than waste time overthinking the optimal solution. The idea behind this is that most decisions made can be reversed and so it is better to act quickly, and in the worst case, reconsider.
10. Frugality
Amazon believes in achieving goals whilst wasting as little money and resources as possible. Their mantra: do more with less.
11. Earn Trust
Trust and respect among Amazonians are two key principles. They are not afraid to speak out and be critical of themselves and their teams.
12. Dive Deep
For Amazonians, no task is beyond their reach. Anything is possible and their goal is to stay informed about the smallest details regarding the subjects and projects that interest them.
13. Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit
When an Amazonian disagrees with a decision made, it is his duty to question it (in a respectful manner) before his superior or interlocutor. He must be tenacious and must only make decisions he believes in, rather than passively agreeing in an attempt to avoid making waves.
14. Deliver Results
Amazonians get results on time and deliver them with the highest quality.
15. Strive to be Earth's Best Employer
Amazon is committed to creating a fun, safe, and high-performance work environment for all of its employees, so that they can lead and be led to the best of their ability.
16. Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility
At Amazon, the ultimate goal is to get better every day; for employees, customers, partners, and the world at large. Their mission? Consume less, create more, and leave things better than before.
Now that you know the 16 LPs (our tip - learn them by heart), your task is to find out which LPs best fit the position you're applying for. For example, for a Customer Service position, it's a safe bet that the four most dominant LPs will be:
- Customer Obsession
- Insist on the Highest Standards
- Earn Trust
- Deliver Results
Tips for Behavioral Interview
- Practice the STAR method by answering example questions that might be asked in an Amazon interview. For each story, prepare several examples that demonstrate your ability to use the Amazon Leadership Principles.
- Prepare a "cheat sheet" containing a table listing all the LPs and situations in which you applied each one. The table should also the following columns: action taken, main results, and lessons learned as a result of the situation. For example:
| Leadership Principle | Situation | Action | Key Result | Lesson Learned |
| Dive Deep | The sale of a product did not produce the expected results | Detailed analysis of sales statistics to determine the cause of the problem | Found a flaw on the website that prevents some customers from completing purchases | If a product is not selling as expected, there may be a different problem - don't give up until you determine the cause |
- Don't embellish your stories or leave out parts. Be clear, specific, and direct. Even if you are describing a situation in which you acted in a way you believe is wrong, describe the situation and what you learned from it. Demonstrate risks you took in the process (LP - Bias for Action), and that even if you failed, you grew and learned from the experience.
- For the most part, recruiters will be most interested in the details regarding the past five years of your career. Therefore you should try to give examples of situations that happened during these years, and don't be afraid to go into detail (LP - Dive Deep). A few detailed stories are better than a dozen general ones.
- Ask questions! Prepare questions in advance about the role you are applying for, both in order to demonstrate your interest in the position and to learn as much as possible about it. For example, you can ask what the main LPs of the position are. You can also inquire about possible promotional opportunities in the future, as well as what a typical day at the office looks like, for example.
- Do some background research on Amazon; its history, when it was founded, by whom, and the company's evolution.
- If you know the names of your interviewers in advance, try to find out a bit about them, such as their role and background. You can do this via LinkedIn for example.
Sample Questions
Like most companies, behavioral interview questions at Amazon deal with past work experiences, conflict resolution, and risk taking. Here are some examples:
- Tell me about a problem you had to solve that required a strong detail analysis. How did you know which data to focus on? What was the outcome? What would you have done differently? (LP - Dive Deep)
- Describe a difficult interaction with a customer. How did you handle the situation? What was the outcome? What would you have done differently? (LP - Customer Obsession/Earn Trust)
- Describe a situation in which you anticipated a customer's needs with a product they did not yet know they needed. How did you know they needed it? How did the customer react? (LP - Think Big)
- Tell me about a situation in which you worked to improve the quality or productivity of a product or service that was already receiving good customer feedback. Why did you think this product needed to be improved? How did the customers react? (LP - Bias for Action)
Tips for Technical Interviews
For technical interviews, the best way to prepare differs from behavioral interviews. First and foremost it is important to prepare and review information regarding all the different topics that may arise during the interview. These include:
- Programming language
- Data Structures
- Algorithms
- Coding
- Object-oriented design
- Databases
- Distributed computing
- Operating systems
- Internet topics
- General machine learning and artificial intelligence
For more information on these topics, visit Amazon's page.
- Before you start preparing for your interview, we recommend you contact your recruiting contact to inquire about the topics and skills that you will most likely need to discuss and/or demonstrate. Technical interviews typically require the candidate to complete some coding and system design exercises (white boarding).
- Remember to always keep the customer at the front of your mind and don't hesitate to be inventive and creative.
- Take a pen and paper with you.
- Don't hesitate to ask the interviewer to rephrase a question if you did not understand it.
- Use the STAR method here as well, providing complete answers that demonstrate your technical knowledge.
Interview Day
This is it; D-Day is here! Here are some tips to help you prepare for the big day:
Check in
Arrive at least 15 minutes early and check in for your interview. Don't forget to bring some form of identification with you (ID card, driver's license, passport, etc.)
Location
Check the address of your Interview that was confirmed to you via email. Some of Amazon's offices are dog-friendly so be sure to let your recruiting contact know in case you have an allergy.
Dress code
According to Amazon, candidates should dress comfortably and casually. Their only interest is in what the candidate has to say, not what they wear.
What should you expect
Back-to-back interviews and combining questions and discussions about your past experiences and challenges.
Interviewers
Depending on the role you are applying for; you will meet between two and seven interviewers. These may be managers or members of your future team or a "Bar Raiser" - an employee working in a different field or team, who is supposed to evaluate you in an objective manner to determine your suitability to contribute to the company's level. All interviewers will try to assess your potential and ability to adapt and advance yourself in the position you are applying for, as well as your ability to incorporate Amazon's Leadership Principles. The interviewers will usually take notes on their computers during the meeting.
Resume or CV
Each interviewer is handed a copy prior to the meeting, but you can bring one with you anyway.
Duration
Each interview typically lasts between 45 minutes and one hour.
Lunch
If your interviews are scheduled during lunchtime, Amazon will provide lunch. Please be sure to specify any food intolerances or allergies you may have during your phone discussion with the recruiter.
Amazon Non-Disclosure Agreement
Each candidate is required to sign a standard NDA, which they can either sign and print in advance or sign on the spot.
Amazon Virtual Interview
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which started at the end of 2019 and is still very active in 2022, it is possible that your on-site interview will take place virtually instead. In this case, the platform used is Amazon Chime, which you will need to download and make sure you know how to use beforehand. Prior to your interview you will receive a Meeting ID# by email from your recruiter.
- It is highly recommended that you use a headset with a microphone and a webcam. If you do not have one, you can order one here.
- Try to sit in a quiet environment in which you can concentrate. Nevertheless, Amazon is aware of the difficulties associated with the pandemic and the presence of children, families, and pets at home during virtual interviews and will not hold you to it.
- If you experience technical problems during your Interview, try restarting Chime. If that doesn't help, contact the help number on the appointment invitation. If for some reason you are unable to contact this number, contact your recruiter immediately.
- For technical interviews in which you will be asked to solve exercises, you may do so via one of the following options:
- Draw your answers on a piece of paper and show it to the camera.
- Use a free white-boarding software (e.g., Miro) and share your screen via Chime.
- Use a drawing tool on your personal computer and share your screen via Chime.
- If you have been invited to an On-Site interview but would prefer to take it virtually, you can submit a request to your recruiter.
Step 4: Job Offer
Amazon's entire recruitment process typically takes between three weeks and three months. According to Amazon, you will receive an update regarding your On-site Interview within five days. If you do not hear from Amazon within this timeframe, please contact your recruiter to receive more information.
If your application is accepted, HR will contact you to discuss your salary expectations. Based on this conversation and the position you applied for, you will receive a written offer of employment. You may also be invited to an "offer meeting". Keep in mind that any salary or benefits negotiations related to the position should take place before this meeting.
For more advanced roles, Amazon usually requires a Reference Check (at the very least), which will be conducted by an HR Manager over the phone. The request is usually made to your former boss or a colleague from your previous job. You may also be required to pass a background check and a drug test.
Assessments and Relevant Professions
Amazon places a great deal of importance on the employee recruitment process; each new recruit is expected to raise the average level of the company. To this end, Amazon invests and makes use of numerous assessments to evaluate the candidates' behavior, personality, technical and cognitive skills. Each and every position requires certain skill sets, and so a different combination of assessments are used for each, although there are some that are mandatory to take for almost every position, such as the Work Styles Assessment. The large number of test types can quickly become very confusing for candidates wishing to prepare beforehand in order to maximize their chances of success. That's where we come in - the HiringProcess.Careers team guides you step-by-step through each Amazon assessment you may be required to take. Our site contains concise descriptions and explanations of the different tests, and includes sample questions and simulations, so that you can be fully prepared for your assessment at Amazon.
Work Styles Assessment
As mentioned above, the Work Styles Assessment is given to candidates applying for almost every position available at Amazon. This is an online test lasting between 10 and 20 minutes, the purpose of which is to verify whether the candidate's work style fits Amazon's work culture and more specifically checks for compatibility with their Leadership Principles. Why is this test important? It allows the multinational company to "filter" candidates and proceed to interview only the candidates who correspond to the Amazon employee profile. For more information on the Work Styles Assessment, please visit the dedicated page.
Work Sample Simulation
The Amazon Work Simulation Assessment is used as part of a screening process and is the first step in the Amazon admissions process. The test focuses on an applicant's ability to handle complex work scenarios that an Amazon employee might face. It takes approximately 35-50 minutes for candidates to complete.
You can find a full simulation and all the info on the following page.
Amazon Maintenance Technician
The Amazon Maintenance Technician position is in high demand in the United States and Amazon Jobs had many job openings in 2021 (over 1,000). In order to get hired for this position, candidates must pass a technical assessment - the Amazon Ramsay Maintenance Technician Simulation. This test was created by Amazon and the test publisher Ramsay Corp together.
For more information on the Amazon Ramsay Test, please visit the dedicated page.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
| Amazon's Ramsay Maintenance Technician simulation | Start practicing now |
Amazon Customer Service Associate (CSA) and Virtual Customer Service (VCS)
At Amazon, the customer is the number one priority. As a result, Customer Service Associate and Virtual Customer Service positions are extremely important at Amazon and their recruitment process involves several steps. Candidates must pass a Virtual Job Tryout, which consists of a battery of different tests as well as SJTs and a Work Style Assessment, in order to check their compatibility with the Amazon mentality.
Read about all the important details regarding the Customer Service Associate tests on the dedicated page.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
| Virtual Job Tryout | Work Style Assessment |
| Start practicing now | |
SDE (Software development Engineer)
Amazon employs many SDEs (more than 28,000 job offers). In order to be hired, an SDE must pass a number of technical, as well as behavioral, assessments. There are several types of Online Assessments (OA) depending on the position the candidate is applying for, but the most popular are: Internships, New Grads and Experienced (SDE 2).
What Does the OA Involve (Internships & New Grads)?
| Code Debugging | Coding and Workstyles |
| Work Simulation (Technical Problem Solving) | Work Style Assessment |
| Start practicing now | |
What Does the OA Involve (Experienced)?
| Coding Assessment | Feedback Survey |
| Work Style Assessment | Start practicing now |
Find out everything you need to know about the Amazon SDE Online Assessments 2022 on the dedicated page.
Amazon Manager In Operations/Area Manager
The recruitment process for the different Fulfillment Center Manager positions is very similar and the assessments used for these different positions are the same. The main type of evaluation used for recruiting candidates to the Operations/Area Manager position is the Virtual Job Tryout (VJT). This is a job simulation divided into several steps.
You can find all the details about the assessments for Fulfillment Center managers on the dedicated page.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
| Working with Metrics | Virtual Job Tryout (VJT) |
| Work Style Assessment | Start practicing now |
Amazon RME Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship (MRA)
In order to be accepted into the RME Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship program, candidates must pass a set of tests intended to demonstrate their basic knowledge in various subjects, such as reading, mathematics, and basic mechanics. This test battery also allows Amazon to choose candidates with a more intuitive understanding of these subjects. As with most positions, they must also pass a behavioral assessment.
For more information on the Amazon RME MRA position, free sample questions and a full preparation pack, go to the dedicated page.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
| Amazon RME apprenticeship test | Work Style Assessment |
| Start practicing now |
Amazon Financial Analyst
The recruitment process to become a Financial Analyst at Amazon is complicated and involves several assessments and interviews. The main evaluation is the Excel Test and the Excel Case Study, which can be taken either online or as part of the On-Site Interview. This recruitment process is exactly the same as for the Amazon Finance Rotational Program (AFRP) position, and for the Amazon Finance Leadership Development Program (FLDP), designed for New Grads and MBA graduates.
Find all the important information about the tests you need to take in order to be accepted as a Financial Analyst at Amazon on the dedicated page.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
| Excel Test | Work Style Assessment |
| Excel Case Study | Start practicing now |
Amazon Data Analyst
The recruitment process to become a Data Analyst at Amazon or Data and Reporting Analyst is very similar to that of the Financial Analyst. Candidates have to pass several interviews, Excel assessments and Case Studies, as well as a Work Style Assessment.
You can find all the information about these assessments on the dedicated page.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
| Excel Test | Work Style Assessment |
| Excel Case Study | Start practicing now |
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Assessment
The recruitment process to work as an AWS Certified Solutions Architect at Amazon has many steps, involving interviews and behavioral, technical, and Work Simulation assessments. One of the steps involves another type of test, "Working with Customers", which is an important element for any AWS employee.
Find out more about the recruitment process and the different tests for AWS positions on the dedicated page.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
| Amazon's Work Simulation | Working with Customers Assessment |
| Technical Knowledge Test | Work Style Assessment |
| Skills Survey | Start practicing now |
Amazon Control Systems Technician / Lead Test
Just like the Maintenance Technician assessments, the Control Systems Technician and Lead assessments are also created by Ramsay Corp. The difference is that the latter focus primarily on electrical, not mechanical, topics. Candidates for these positions must also pass a Work Style Assessment.
Find all the information about this position and the required tests, free examples and more on the dedicated page.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
| Motors test | Print Reading Tests |
| PLC tests Electrical Theory | Mechanical Elements Pneumatics and Hydraulics |
| Work Style Assessment | Start practicing now |
Amazon MBA Assessment
In order to be accepted into the Amazon MBA Internship, due to high demand, candidates must be very competitive. In addition, application for the program is allowed only once per recruitment cycle. The assessments candidates must take in order to be accepted to this program do not evaluate the cognitive skills of the candidates, but rather their behavioral skills and compatibility with the Amazon culture and the 16 Leadership Principles in particular. The evaluations include work simulations and a Work Style Assessment.
Find out all about the Amazon MBA program, including explanations about the various tests and simulations, and start a complete preparation pack on the dedicated page.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
| Work Simulation | Work Style Assessment |
| Career Experience Survey | Start practicing now |
Amazon Warehouse and Fulfillment Assessment
Candidates interested in obtaining associate positions for Amazon's Warehouse and Fulfillment Centers must take a test called the Amazon Associate Game On Virtual Job Tryout, which is similar to the Virtual Job Tryout used for managers of these same centers. This test is divided into two categories. The first includes behavioral questions to test for a good fit with Amazon's work style and culture. The second category consists of games presenting the type of work done in this position.
Find out more about the Warehouse tests on the dedicated page.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
| Associate Game on Virtual Job Tryout | Work Style Assessment |
| Start practicing now |
Amazon Transaction Risk Management Systems (TRMS) Assessments
The recruitment process for Amazon TRMS involves interviews and assessments. The tests used for this position are Watson-Glaser tests, which are a type of Critical Thinking aptitude tests created by PSI, a leading test publisher. The test is divided into several sections, each of which assesses a different critical thinking skill. Preparing in advance and practicing answering the different types of questions will help you to pass this test successfully.
For more information on the Watson Glaser test for Amazon, free samples, and explanation on the recruitment process for TRMS, please visit the dedicated page.
What Does the Assessment Involve?
| Watson-Glaser Test | Work Style Assessment |
| Start practicing now |
How Should You Prepare for Your Amazon Assessment?
As you may have gathered by now, Amazon's recruitment process is not a simple one and the assessments used for the different positions are numerous. Some positions are in high demand and the competition can be tough, not only on the assessments stage but also for the interviews. This is why it is essential to prepare yourself properly for the Amazon assessments. To do so, it is necessary to combine several elements:
- Know which assessment(s) you will be asked to take.
- Practice answering the same type of questions for each assessment in order to become familiar with them, whether it is a technical or behavioral test. Do so without a time limit; it is important to first get used to the wording of the questions and the type of reasoning Amazon are seeking in your answers. This allows you to analyze your strengths and weaknesses and thus focus on the subjects you are least familiar with.
- Conduct simulations that resemble assessments as best as possible (same number of questions, time limit, etc.) in order to practice under the same or similar conditions as the real test.
The HiringProcess.Careers team recommends that you visit the following site, which combines all of these elements into dedicated preparation packs created especially for each position at Amazon. These packs are complete with exercises, guides, and simulations.
Tips and Tricks
- Practice ahead of time: If you know the exact position you're applying for, don't wait until you receive the application from Amazon to start preparing, especially if you're going to take technical assessments like the Ramsay Test or Coding Assessments. Indeed, candidates are usually given a limited time frame to complete them after receiving the email (between 5 and 30 days - depending on the test and the position). It is therefore important to start the recruitment process when you already relatively prepared for, or at least familiar with, the assessments.
- Keep in mind that one of the most important factors for Amazon is compatibility with their Leadership Principles. Therefor it is important to study and memorize them, especially in preparation for behavioral assessments such as the Work Style Assessment (whose whole purpose is to check what your LPs are) and the Work Simulation and Virtual Job Tryout (whose purpose is to check your compatibility with the main LPs of the position you are applying for). Need a reminder? You can find explanations about all the LPs here.
Amazon Levels & Salaries
Levels
As with most companies, Amazon has different professional levels, each of which has its own salary range. There are 12 hierarchical levels at Amazon; the highest is the 12th and only the president of Amazon is at this level (Up until July 2021 this role belonged to Jeff Bezos; he has since exchanged his position with Andy Jassy and has gone down to the position of chairman). The following list presents the different positions according to the different levels:
- Level 12: President of Amazon (one)
- Level 11: CEO's and Senior Vice Presidents (roughly 20 employees)
- Level 10: Vice Presidents (roughly 100 employees)
- Level 9: No Level 9 positions exist at this time. The separation may exist to emphasize the difference between levels 1-8 and levels 10-12.
- Level 8: Directors (several hundred employees)
- Level 7: Senior Managers (several thousand employees)
- Levels 4, 5, 6: Managers & Individual Contributors (employees who contribute to the company on an individual basis and do not have managerial responsibilities). (Several tens of thousands employees). New Grads begin at level 4, while MBA graduates are hired straight to positions situated at levels 5 and 6.
- Levels 1, 2, 3: Support teams, Fulfillment Center (FC) workers, and similar roles (tens of thousands employees).
For each position, there are multiple grades and levels, allowing employees to advance in the company over time. The following tables show the different levels possible for each job, and the salaries that are relevant for the different levels.
Moving between levels is also tied to years of work and experience at Amazon and outside of it. Here is an average of the number of years of experience required for each level:
- L4: 1.7 years
- L5: 5.9 years
- L6: 10.7 years
- L7: 17.3 years
- L8: 24 years
Amazon's salary model spans over four years. It consists of three main components, which are base salary, an annual Sign-on bonus, and Restricted Stock Units (shares) that vest at the end of the four years. This model has remained unchanged over many years and is used to motivate employees. Annual bonuses or payouts are received in the first two years and are paid with each paycheck, which in effect increases the monthly salary for the first two years. During the following two years, the employee receives an increase in RSU (from 15% to 40%).
Here is what the salary structure looks like over the four years:
- 1st year: Base Salary + Sign-on Bonus + 5% RSU at the end of the first year
- 2d year: Base Salary + Sign-on Bonus + 15% RSU at the end of the second year
- 3d year: Base Salary + 40% RSU (20% every six months)
- 4th year: Base Salary + 40% RSU (20% every six months)
Software Engineer
Here are the different levels and salaries for the position of Software Engineer:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L4 | $164k |
| L5 | $228k |
| L6 | $332k |
| L7 | $598k |
Product Designer
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Median | $205k |
Product Manager
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L5 | $172k |
| L6 | $252k |
| L7 | $395k |
| L8 | $690k |
Software Engineering Manager
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L5 SDM | $261k |
| L6 SDM | $381k |
| L7 | $587k |
| L8 | $970k |
Human Resources
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L4 | $76k |
| L5 | $151k |
| L6 | $206k |
| L7 | $324k |
Solution Architect
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L4 | $138k |
| L5 | $203k |
| L6 | $276k |
| L7 | $368k |
Marketing
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L4 | $89k |
| L5 | $145k |
| L6 | $215k |
| L7 | $364k |
Business Analyst
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L4 | $94k |
| L5 | $131k |
| L6 | $200k |
Data Scientist
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L4 | $170k |
| L5 | $221k |
| L6 | $312k |
| L7 | $577k |
Sales
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L4 | $135k |
| L5 | $241k |
| L6 | $290k |
| L7 | $415k |
Recruiter
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L4 | $94k |
| L5 | $120k |
| L6 | $208k |
Technical Program Manager
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L4 | $130k |
| L5 | $195k |
| L6 | $258k |
| L7 | $320k |
Hardware Engineer
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L4 | $146k |
| L5 | $204k |
| L6 | $356k |
| L7 | $427k |
Management Consultant
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Median | $275k |
Mechanical Engineer
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| L4 | $165k |
| L5 | $188k |
| L6 | $364k |
There are several important facts to consider:
- Total compensation varies by position, level, and location. A level 4 employee will receive different total compensation than a level 5 or 6 employee.
- Amazon has a salary cap of $160,000 for base salary (except for San Francisco Bay Area and NYC where it is $185,000). This means that the base salary for any job cannot exceed this cap. However, there is no cap on bonuses and RSUs, which allows salary compensation to increase even with a salary of $160,000. This cap is valid for all levels.
- RSUs at Amazon are very stable and increase most of the time which allows trust building between the company and its staff. For employees, owning stock allows for significant salary increases, while from Amazon's perspective, it keeps employees with their company longer.
- Amazon provides financial counseling services to its employees to help them understand and make the best use of their RSUs.
Applicant Profiles
Students
Amazon offers many job opportunities for students, including Undergraduate, MBA, Master's, and PhD degrees. The company offers internship positions for students in many countries. Students can search for suitable jobs directly on the following page.
Military
Amazon offers many job opportunities for military personnel, veterans, and their spouses/partners. Find all the information you need on the following page
People With Disabilities
Amazon utilizes many resources to help people with disabilities find work, including the Applicant-Candidate Accommodation Team (ACAT), which assists people with disabilities with their application process and interviews. Amazon also provides rehabilitation services and affinity and self-help groups. Read more on the next page.
Why Work at Amazon?
There are many reasons why jobs at Amazon are in high demand. There are many benefits to working at Amazon. However, these can vary depending on your position's location, the hours you work, the length of time you've been employed, and your employment status, such as whether you have a limited-term contract or seasonal work. Here is a general list of the various benefits:
Health
Amazon's health plan options are multiple and flexible, allowing employees to choose the health coverage that best suits them and their families. These plans include a Health Savings Account (HSA) to which the employer and the employee both contribute, a comprehensive network intended to assist employees in finding the best available local medical services, the option to enroll in a Dental and Vision program, as well as medical Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).
So what are these programs exactly? HSAs and FSAs are health benefit accounts that allow employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax salary to cover medical expenses. The credit cards linked to these accounts can be used directly to pay for medical services, for example purchasing medications.
Financial Security
Amazon offers a 401(k) plan with a company contribution to allow employees to defer their compensation for long-term retirement savings. This is a retirement savings system in which employees can contribute a portion of their salary to individual retirement accounts. Some companies (such as Amazon) contribute to employee accounts and provide employees with many investment options.
Amazon offers company-paid basic life insurance and accidental death and disability insurance (both short and long-term). Employees can also purchase additional coverage for themselves and their families.
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Most Amazon employees have the opportunity to purchase Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) of the company, which allows them to share ownership of the company.
RSUs are a form of compensation granted by an employer in the form of company stock. These RSUs are distributed to employees via a vesting plan and distribution schedule after they have reached required milestones and performance goals, or after a specified work period.
Network of Support
Amazon provides various free services to its employees, such as Amazon's free Employee Assistance Program, which offers confidential 24/7 support on both work and family issues. Amazon also offers online resources for employees whose children have developmental disabilities, as well as assistance in finding child and elder care. Additionally, employees have access to advisors on a range of topics, such as estate planning and other services that may be needed in the event of a serious illness or death.
Adoption Assistance
Amazon provides employees with financial support for domestic/international adoption costs, including legal fees, travel, and court costs.
Maternity and Parental Leave
Amazon offers a wide range of fully paid maternity and parental leave options before and after the birth/adoption of a child. This includes an industry-unique program named Leave Share and a flexible return-to-work program called Ramp Back.
Employees are eligible for parental benefits after at least one year of continuous employment prior to the date of the child's birth or adoption. You can find more information on the following page.
Time Off
Amazon offers its employees paid time off in addition to the multinational company's paid holidays.
Amazon.com Employee Discount
All Amazon employees receive an annual discount on products sold on the Amazon.com website.
Career Choice
Amazon offers hourly employees the chance to participate in an innovative program called Amazon Career Choice. This program allows the employees to pursue different types of education with the aim of developing skills that are in demand for future professions, such as robotics engineers, medical technicians, paralegals, or solar panel installation professionals. Amazon prepays 95% of tuition, books, and related fees.
Testimonials
Do you have information that can help us explain the various elements and procedures involved in Amazon's recruitment in a better way? Please contact us using the following contact form.