UPS Seasonal Jobs 2026: 100,000 Roles and How to Apply
Quick answer
UPS seasonal jobs 2026: on October 7, 2026, UPS said it will hire 100,000 seasonal employees at hundreds of US locations for the holiday peak. Openings include warehouse workers (package handlers), driver helpers and seasonal support drivers. You apply free at jobs-ups.com, and some applicants receive an offer within minutes of applying.
Key takeaways
UPS plans to hire 100,000 seasonal employees across the United States for the 2026 holiday season, announced on October 7, 2026.
That is fewer than the 110,000 seasonal workers UPS hired in 2025 and the 125,000 it hired in 2024, the second straight yearly decline.
Driver helpers need no driver's license, while seasonal support drivers must be at least 21 and use their own registered vehicle.
UPS says many applicants can get a job offer in minutes, and the only official place to apply is jobs-ups.com.
UPS has not published a national hourly rate, so check the pay shown on each local job listing before you accept.
UPS seasonal jobs 2026 are now open. United Parcel Service announced on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, that it is hiring 100,000 seasonal employees in hundreds of locations across the United States to handle the holiday shipping rush. The company is offering what it calls competitive pay, flexible shifts and a path to a permanent job, and it is taking applications through its official careers site, jobs-ups.com.
This guide explains which roles are available, what each one requires, how the hiring process works, how pay is handled and how to avoid fake UPS job offers. Last updated: October 7, 2026.
What are the UPS seasonal jobs 2026 openings?
UPS is filling 100,000 temporary holiday positions nationwide, mostly hourly roles that sort, move and deliver packages. These seasonal hires will join a UPS global workforce of around 460,000 people.
Here are the key details from the announcement and the UPS careers site:
Employer: United Parcel Service (UPS)
Number of seasonal positions: 100,000
Location: hundreds of UPS sites across the United States
Main roles: warehouse workers (package handlers), driver helpers, seasonal support drivers, and some driving roles
Season length: typically October to December, with a set end date
Closing date: not stated; openings change daily by location
How to apply: online at jobs-ups.com (free)
Holiday demand is the reason. Reuters notes that daily parcel volumes tend to roughly double during the holiday season, and that shippers and retailers lean on temporary staff from late November into early January.
Why is UPS hiring fewer seasonal workers this year?
UPS is shrinking its network, so the 2026 target is lower than in the last two years. The company hired 110,000 seasonal workers in 2025 and 125,000 in 2024, according to Quartz. Reuters put the 2026 plan at about 9% below last year's level.
The cut follows a broader restructuring. In January, UPS said it would eliminate up to 30,000 operational jobs and close 24 facilities in 2026 as it reduces shipments for Amazon, its largest customer, and focuses on more profitable parcels, Reuters reported. UPS also used its October 7 announcement to highlight new automated facilities in Denver, St. Paul, Syracuse and Portland.
The wider holiday job market is cooling too. Challenger, Gray & Christmas projects that retail seasonal hiring will fall to 450,000 in the fourth quarter of 2026, down from 461,500 a year earlier and 543,100 in 2024, as reported by PYMNTS. Fewer openings mean applying early matters more this year.
Which UPS seasonal roles can you apply for?
Your choice depends mainly on whether you have a driver's license and a suitable vehicle. UPS groups its hourly holiday work into a few clear roles.
Warehouse worker (package handler)
Warehouse workers sort and load packages inside UPS facilities. No license is needed. UPS describes the work as fast-paced, with conveyor belts and heavy machinery, and lists typical shifts as:
Preload: about 3:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Sunrise: about 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Day: about 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Twilight: about 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Night: about 11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
UPS says warehouse workers are paid weekly, and some locations offer college tuition help.
Driver helper
Driver helpers ride with a UPS delivery driver and carry packages to doors; they never drive the truck. UPS says the role needs stamina, reliability and the ability to lift up to 70 pounds, with no driver's license required. Helpers are seasonal only and are usually hired in October, November and December. You get yourself to an assigned pickup spot, and UPS asks helpers to be ready within 30 minutes of being contacted.
Seasonal support driver
Seasonal support drivers deliver packages in their own vehicle. UPS requires you to be 21 or older, able to lift up to 70 pounds and hold a clean, valid driver's license. The vehicle must be registered and reliable, have a closed top or covered bed, and carry no other company logos or bumper stickers. UPS pays these drivers weekly and adds mileage reimbursement, plus a phone stipend in some locations.
Driving roles that need extra steps
UPS also lists package delivery drivers, temporary cover drivers and tractor-trailer drivers. These roles require a road test and a DOT physical exam after an offer, and tractor-trailer drivers must hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) and pass a drug screen.
How do you apply for UPS seasonal jobs?
You apply online at jobs-ups.com, and for many warehouse roles the offer can come the same day. UPS said in its announcement that many applicants receive an offer in under seven minutes. The steps for warehouse roles are:
Search jobs-ups.com for seasonal openings near your ZIP code and choose a role and shift.
Complete the online application and watch the short job preview video.
If you receive an offer, schedule your first day using the link UPS sends by text and email.
Before day one, submit proof of identity and work eligibility online.
Bring original documents on your first day: one item from List A, or one from List B plus one from List C of the federal I-9 list. UPS does not accept copies.
If no opening shows up near you, sign up for UPS job alerts. The company says available jobs at each location can change daily.
How much do UPS seasonal jobs pay?
UPS has not published a single national pay rate for 2026 seasonal roles. Its announcement describes the pay as competitive, and hourly rates vary by role and location.
The best way to check pay is to open the specific listing on jobs-ups.com, which shows the rate for that site. Compare a few nearby facilities and shifts, because early-morning and overnight sorts can differ from daytime work. If you drive your own car as a seasonal support driver, factor the mileage reimbursement into your take-home pay.
When do UPS seasonal jobs start and end?
Most UPS holiday jobs run from October through December and end on a set date. UPS notes that seasonal hours can vary and some roles require early morning or midnight shifts, so read each job description before you accept.
A seasonal job can lead to more. UPS says many of its warehouse workers start as seasonal employees, and permanent part-time or full-time hourly roles run year-round. Strong attendance through the busiest weeks is the best way to be considered for those openings.
How can you avoid fake UPS job offers?
Only apply through jobs-ups.com, the official UPS careers site, which links to its own fraud-reporting page. During hiring season, treat any job message or website that is not on jobs-ups.com with caution.
UPS and other genuine employers never charge application, training, equipment or background-check fees.
Real employers do not hire only over text, WhatsApp or Telegram chats.
Never deposit a check sent to you to buy equipment or a uniform.
Do not share your Social Security or bank details before you have a verified offer through the official site.
What this means for job seekers
With 10,000 fewer UPS seasonal spots than last year and lower retail targets overall, holiday work is more competitive in 2026. Apply now, pick the shifts other people avoid, and keep your phone handy for offer messages. If UPS is not hiring near you, our guide Holiday Jobs 2026: Who's Hiring and How to Apply lists other employers recruiting for the season.
Frequently asked questions
How many seasonal workers is UPS hiring in 2026?
UPS is hiring 100,000 seasonal employees for the 2026 holiday season. The company announced the figure on October 7, 2026, and the jobs are spread across hundreds of US locations.
Is UPS hiring fewer seasonal workers than last year?
Yes. UPS hired 110,000 seasonal workers in 2025 and 125,000 in 2024, so 2026 is the second year in a row with a smaller target. The drop follows UPS's plan to cut operational jobs and close facilities in 2026.
Do I need a driver's license to work a UPS seasonal job?
Not for every role. Warehouse workers and driver helpers do not need a license. Seasonal support drivers must be 21 or older with a clean, valid license and their own registered vehicle.
How fast can I get hired at UPS for the holidays?
Very quickly for some roles. UPS says many applicants receive a job offer in under seven minutes after completing the online application and short video.
How much do UPS seasonal jobs pay?
UPS has not released one national rate and describes the pay as competitive. Hourly pay depends on the role and location, so check the rate shown on each listing at jobs-ups.com.
How long do UPS seasonal jobs last?
Most run from October through December and end on a set date. Some seasonal workers later move into permanent part-time or full-time hourly jobs.
Where do I apply for UPS seasonal jobs?
Apply only on the official UPS careers site, jobs-ups.com. Applying is free, and genuine employers never charge for applications, training or equipment.
Sources
Reuters (via AOL): UPS to hire 100,000 temporary workers for holiday season
Quartz: UPS is hiring 100,000 seasonal workers for the holidays, down for the second year in a row
PYMNTS: UPS Trims Seasonal Hiring After Planned Package Volume Reduction
Published October 7, 2026. This article was compiled by Jobsiz from the official and published sources listed above, with AI-assisted writing and automated fact-checking. Job details can change; always confirm on the official UPS careers site before applying.