Holiday jobs in California 2026: what to know
Who's hiring for the holidays
Big employers announced their holiday hiring in October 2026. These are national numbers, and many of the jobs are in California's large warehouse and delivery hubs:
- Amazon: 300,000 seasonal full-time and part-time jobs across the US, with average pay of about $20 an hour.
- UPS: 100,000 seasonal workers in the coming months.
Source: ABC News via Yahoo Finance, October 22, 2026. Stores, malls, restaurants and local warehouses also hire for the season, so search your city in the list above.
Common holiday jobs
- Warehouse associate, picker or packer: picks, packs and ships online orders. See our warehouse guide.
- Package handler or sorter: loads, unloads and sorts packages, often on early-morning or night shifts.
- Delivery driver or driver helper: delivers packages on a route. Many van routes need only a regular Class C license. See our delivery driver guide.
- Retail sales associate, cashier or stocker: helps customers, runs the register and restocks shelves.
- Customer service: answers calls and chats about orders and returns, sometimes from home.
When to apply
Apply now. Many employers want seasonal workers trained before Thanksgiving, and the busiest weeks run from late November through December. Some still hire in December for the last rush and for returns in January. Applying to several places at once is normal for seasonal jobs.
Your rights as a seasonal worker in California
Seasonal and temporary workers have the same basic pay rights as everyone else:
- Minimum wage: at least $16.90 an hour statewide in 2026, and many cities set a higher local minimum.
- Overtime: most hourly workers earn 1.5 times their pay after 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, and double pay after 12 hours in a day. Long holiday shifts can add up.
- Breaks: a 30-minute meal break when you work more than 5 hours, and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked (or major part of 4 hours).
- Paid sick leave: if you work for the same employer for at least 30 days in a year, you earn paid sick leave (at least 40 hours or 5 days a year), and you can start using it after 90 days on the job. Full-time, part-time and temporary workers are covered.
- Your last paycheck: when an employer ends your job, including at the end of the season, your final pay is due right away. If you quit without notice, it's due within 72 hours.
- Holiday pay: California law doesn't require extra pay just for working on a holiday, but overtime rules still apply, and some employers choose to pay more. Ask before you accept.
Questions about pay, breaks or sick leave? The California Labor Commissioner explains your rights, or call 833-526-4636.
How to turn a holiday job into a permanent one
- Tell your manager early that you'd like to stay after the season.
- Show up for every shift, on time. Reliability is what managers remember.
- Pick up extra shifts during the busiest weeks if you can.
- Learn a second task, such as receiving, returns or forklift (with training from your employer).
- Before the season ends, ask which permanent jobs are opening and apply.
Questions people ask
Do holiday jobs need experience?
Most don't. Warehouse, package handler and retail jobs usually train you on site.
Can I get a seasonal job while I have another job?
Yes. Many seasonal jobs are part-time or offer weekend and evening shifts.
How long do holiday jobs last?
Usually from October or November through late December or early January. Some last longer to handle returns.
Related job guides
- Warehouse jobs in California
- Delivery driver jobs in California
- Forklift operator jobs in California
- All job guides