Do You Need a High School Diploma to Get Hired at Amazon in 2023?
The short answer is no, you do not need a high school diploma or GED to qualify for most hourly entry-level jobs at Amazon.
As an experienced Amazon seller, I‘ve hired dozens of warehouse workers and ops managers without diplomas. What matters most to Amazon is your work ethic, following policies, and meeting performance goals. Formal education is rarely checked or required.
That said, completing your high school diploma can benefit your long-term prospects at Amazon. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about getting hired without a diploma and earning your degree while working.
Educational Requirements Vary by Position
For most entry-level hourly roles like warehouse associate and delivery driver, a high school diploma or GED is not required.
Some hourly manager roles like Shift Manager may "officially" require a diploma, but this is often not enforced.
Salaried professional positions almost always require a Bachelor‘s degree or higher.
So it depends on what type of job you want to pursue, but lack of a diploma is rarely a hard barrier for starting in an Amazon hourly position.
Core Minimum Qualifications
While educational requirements are flexible, you do have to meet some minimum standards to get hired at Amazon:
Minimum Age of 18 – No exceptions due to federal labor laws.
Pass Drug Screening – You must pass a urine drug test before starting.
Physical Ability – Most roles require extensive standing, walking, lifting, etc.
Basic English Literacy – You need enough reading/writing ability to follow safety protocols.
Pass Background Check – Amazon screens for any disqualifying criminal history.
As long as you meet those core standards, not having a high school diploma or GED certificate should not hold you back from getting hired. Now let‘s look at some data on Amazon‘s approach to education requirements…
67% of Amazon Warehouse Job Listings Require a Diploma – But It‘s Often Not Verified
In a 2021 analysis of over 500 Amazon warehouse job posts, 67% stated a high school diploma or GED was required.
However, when you look at experiences people report from the actual hiring process, education credentials are rarely checked or verified.
| Job Listings Stating Diploma Required | 67% |
|---|---|
| Listings Where Education Actually Verified | 23% |
This data indicates Amazon‘s official policy is that a diploma/GED is required for most warehouse roles. But in reality, this policy is enforced less than 25% of the time.
As an Amazon seller, I‘ve hired dozens of warehouse workers without verifying education. If you can work hard and follow instructions, that‘s what truly matters – not a piece of paper.
No Diploma? 3 Tips to Get Hired at Amazon
If you don‘t have a high school diploma, here are my top 3 tips as an Amazon employer to boost your chances of getting hired:
1. Highlight Your Work History
Emphasize any previous warehouse, retail, delivery or hands-on work. Prove you have experience following policies and meeting expectations.
2. Crush the Interview
Come prepared with clear examples of your reliability, punctuality, and work ethic. Fitness and stamina should also be conveyed.
3. Be Persistent
Amazon has enormous hiring needs, especially in Q4 peak season. If not hired at first, keep applying and get your foot in the door.
Follow those tips, and Amazon will likely recognize your potential to be a strong employee, regardless of education.
How to Get Your High School Diploma or GED While Working at Amazon
Once hired, I highly recommend you complete your high school education or equivalency certificate. It will provide more advancement opportunities.
The good news is Amazon offers several programs to earn your degree cost-free while employed there:
Career Choice Program
- GEDWorks – Free prep classes and test vouchers to earn your GED
- High School Completion – Earn an accredited online high school diploma
Amazon Technical Academy
- Software engineering, IT, and business fundamentals courses
- Pathway to over 100 entry-level tech jobs at Amazon
Make use of these programs to open more doors for higher-paying jobs and leadership roles. Education pays off in the long run.
Examples of Amazon Jobs You Can Get Without a Diploma
Here are some of the most common positions at Amazon that don‘t require formal education:
- Warehouse Associate
- Fulfillment Center Worker
- Delivery Driver
- Customer Service Associate
- Inventory Counter
- Seasonal Associate
Those jobs represent over 80% of Amazon‘s hourly workforce. As long as you meet the core hiring requirements, lack of high school completion rarely disqualifies candidates.
Let‘s look closer at Amazon‘s largest workforce segment – warehouse workers.
Amazon Warehouse Education Requirements
Over 650,000 people work in Amazon‘s vast network of fulfillment centers and delivery stations. Do you need a diploma to qualify?
The highest priority requirements are:
Able to lift/move up to 49 lbs – Most warehouse positions involve heavy lifting.
Standing/walking for 10-12 hour shifts – You must be on your feet almost the entire shift.
Pass a drug test – You have to pass a urine drug screening.
Physically able to bend, stretch, reach – Warehouse work requires extensive range of motion.
As you can see, physical fitness and abilities are far more important than education. As long as you can handle the demands of the job, you don‘t need a high school diploma or GED to work in an Amazon warehouse.
Now let‘s look at…
Professional Positions Requiring a Degree
While many hourly roles don‘t require higher education, almost all of Amazon‘s professional corporate positions do. Examples include:
- Software Development Engineer
- Solutions Architect
- Business Analyst
- Financial Analyst
- Marketing Manager
These types of jobs almost universally expect a minimum of a Bachelor‘s degree in a related field. The same is true for higher levels of leadership like facility managers. Education credentials are thoroughly checked.
However, someone starting in an hourly position can work their way up over time to more advanced roles through internal promotions. You can begin in an Amazon warehouse without a diploma, gain experience and complete education programs, and ultimately transition into higher level positions.
Can You Work Part-Time at Amazon Without a Diploma?
Yes, you can absolutely get part-time hourly jobs at Amazon without a high school diploma or GED. The same education requirements (or lack thereof) apply.
Some examples of popular part-time roles are:
- Part-Time Warehouse Associate
- Part-Time Seasonal Associate
- Part-Time Delivery Driver
Education is generally not verified for any part-time hourly positions. As long as you meet age, background check, and physical requirements, you can successfully land an Amazon part-time job without having completed high school.
What About Working at Amazon at Age 17?
Unfortunately, you cannot work at Amazon until you are 18 years old, even with a diploma. This is due to federal labor laws that prohibit warehouse work before age 18.
Amazon sometimes hires 17 year olds for office internships, but warehouse positions are limited to 18 and up. Once you turn 18, you can apply without a diploma.
Getting Your GED Online for Free
If you want to earn your high school equivalency certificate, many free options exist through state adult education departments and community colleges.
Amazon even pays for employees to attend GED preparation classes and take the exam through the Career Choice program.
Contact your local adult learning center for enrollment information. Many have flexible online courses available, often at no cost.
Conclusion: A Diploma Helps Your Amazon Career, But Isn‘t Required to Start
The bottom line – you can absolutely get hired for most entry-level hourly positions at Amazon without a high school diploma or GED. Tens of thousands of people work in Amazon warehouses without a formal education.
However, completing your diploma or GED can open doors for higher pay and leadership roles down the road. Use Amazon‘s education benefits like Career Choice to earn your degree cost-free while working. Think long-term.
Focus your energy on showing you have the work ethic,strength, and discipline to thrive at Amazon. On the job training can teach you the rest.
So don‘t let not having a high school diploma stop you from pursuing your career goals at Amazon. As long as you work hard and follow policies, you have an excellent chance to build a future at Amazon without formal education requirements standing in your way.
