Amazon plans to hire 150,000 seasonal workers as it ramps up for the holidays

Amazon plans to hire 150,000 seasonal workers as the biggest online retailer readies to keep up with demand during the holiday shopping season.

That's a substantially bigger holiday hiring target than last year, when the company said it would bring in 100,000 temporary employees to help store, pack and ship products from its warehouses.   

Starting wages average $18 an hour, with an additional $3 an hour for those willing to work overnight and weekend shifts, Amazon said in a news release. The company is also offering signing bonuses of up to $3,000, depending on location.