Amazon SNAP workers triple to 12,346 as labor share hits 52.8%

September 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Amazon had 12,346 workers on SNAP and 11,338 on Medicaid across 11 states, nearly triple the 2020 count, according to a GAO report. U.S. labor share fell to 52.8%, the lowest since 1947, while Amazon's annual profit rose from $11.6 billion to $77.7 billion. Amazon disputes the GAO's conclusion, saying its pay and benefits are among the best in the industry.

Key Facts

U.S. labor share fell to 52.8%, the lowest since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking it in 1947.
Amazon had 12,346 workers on SNAP and 11,338 on Medicaid across 11 states, nearly triple the 2020 count.
Amazon's annual profit rose from $11.6 billion to $77.7 billion over the same period.
Amazon's 2025 revenue reached a record $717 billion, up 12% from $638 billion.
Amazon spokesperson Rachael Lighty said 74% of regular full-time employees are enrolled in an Amazon health insurance plan, above the 65% private-sector take-up rate.

Labor Share Decline

Working Americans took home 52.8% of economic output, the smallest percentage since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the metric in 1947. The S&P 500 index gained 600% since the beginning of the century, while wages increased just 12.5% over the same period, adjusted for inflation. Kathryn Larin, director for education, workforce, and income security issues at GAO, said the data shows most Americans using social safety net programs are working full time. The income threshold for SNAP eligibility is about 130% of the poverty line, indicating many workers still cannot meet basic needs.

Amazon Workforce Assistance

The GAO report found 12,346 Amazon workers on SNAP and 11,338 on Medicaid across 11 states, nearly triple the 2020 count. Amazon's annual profit increased from $11.6 billion to $77.7 billion during the same period. Amazon spokesperson Rachael Lighty said the GAO conclusion is wrong and that Amazon pay is among the best in the industry. Lighty said regular full-time employees have access to health care from their first day at $5 per week with $5 copays for employee-only coverage. Walmart and FedEx saw similar increases in workers taking federal assistance, as did rideshare and delivery companies.