How Amazon is investing in Maryland

Key takeaways

Amazon has invested more than $20 billion in Maryland since 2010 and contributed over $20 billion to the state's economy.
The company has more than 23,000 full- and part-time employees and supports more than 10,000 indirect jobs.
Amazon partners with 12 educational institutions in Maryland through its Career Choice program and has upskilled over 3,300 employees since 2019.
More than 37 million items were sold by Maryland-based independent sellers through Amazon's store.

For more than 30 years, Amazon has been investing across the United States, strengthening local economies and creating opportunities for communities nationwide. Maryland is a prime example of this commitment, with Amazon building a substantial presence in the state since 2014.

A smiling employee sorts packages at an Amazon sortation center.

An Amazon employee sorts packages at an Amazon sortation center.Photo by JORDAN STEAD

Today, Maryland serves as a thriving innovation and logistics hub for Amazon, with investments spanning fulfillment centers to Whole Foods Market locations and cloud computing infrastructure. The company's economic impact extends beyond direct employment, supporting thousands of additional jobs in construction, logistics, and professional services, and helping local businesses reach customers around the world.

Here are five ways Amazon is investing in Maryland:

1. Investing in our employees

Amazon provides competitive wages and comprehensive benefits from Day 1. Operations employees in customer fulfillment and transportation earn an average hourly base wage of more than $23, with total compensation averaging more than $30 an hour when including benefits. These benefits include health, vision, and dental insurance starting on Day 1, free mental health resources, up to 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave, a 401(k) with 50% company match, and flexible time-off options that increase with tenure.

Beyond more than 23,000 direct jobs, Amazon's presence in Maryland supports more than 10,000 indirect jobs in industries such as construction, logistics, and professional services—suppliers and partners whom we rely on every day.

2. Investing in workforce development and upskilling

Amazon is committed to preparing its workforce for future opportunities through comprehensive education and skills training programs. Since 2019, more than 3,300 Maryland employees have participated in these free initiatives.

An Amazon worker packs boxes at a Maryland sortation center.

An Amazon employee prepares packages for delivery at a sortation center in Maryland.

In Maryland, Amazon partners with 12 educational institutions through its Career Choice program, which prepays tuition for employees pursuing further education. These partnerships with colleges and universities across the state help Amazon employees gain in-demand skills that can propel them into new careers. From Machine Learning University to Career Choice, these programs represent Amazon's investment in developing talent and creating pathways to opportunity for its workforce.

3. Building infrastructure across the Old Line State

Since 2010, Amazon has invested more than $20 billion in Maryland's infrastructure and employee compensation, contributing more than $20 billion to the state's gross domestic product. This includes more than $2.5 billion in data center investments.

These investments also include 13 fulfillment and sortation centers, 15 delivery stations, an air hub, and other facilities across the state. The company has also expanded its retail footprint with 11 Whole Foods Market locations across Maryland.

Amazon continues to grow its sustainable infrastructure as well, with six solar farms and four sites with on-site solar power in the state. In total, the company's six energy projects generate enough carbon-free energy to power more than 30,000 homes, and its Maryland data centers don't use water 96% of the time. Maryland is also home to an AWS Infrastructure Region supporting businesses and organizations throughout the state and beyond.

4. Empowering Maryland's small businesses

Amazon provides a powerful opportunity for Maryland's entrepreneurs and small businesses to reach customers worldwide. Maryland-based independent sellers—primarily small and medium-sized businesses—sold more than 37 million items through Amazon's store, with the average seller generating more than $250,000 in annual sales.

Thereasa Black, founder of Bon AppéSweet, sitting in her bakery in Leonardtown, Maryland, surrounded by rolling racks.

Bon AppéSweet founder Thereasa Black at her production facility in Leonardtown, Maryland. The Navy veteran grew her business to $1 million in annual sales using Amazon's seller tools.

These independent sellers represent more than 60% of sales in Amazon's store. Their success contributes significantly to local economies, with more than 65% of U.S. independent sellers employing at least one person within 50 miles of their primary business location.

By providing infrastructure, logistics support, and access to millions of customers, Amazon enables Maryland's small businesses to scale their operations and create additional jobs throughout the state.

5. Investing as a good neighbor

Amazon uses its global scale and strengths to make a positive impact in communities. Working with trusted community partners, we address critical needs—food security, education, disaster relief—using our logistics, technology, and innovation, while investing as a good neighbor in the communities where our employees live and work.

Amazon employees interact with children at a Baltimore book fair.

Amazon employees engage with young readers at a book fair in Baltimore, Maryland.

In Maryland, Amazon has donated more than $9 million to more than 35 local community organizations. Amazon has delivered more than 2 million meals on behalf of food banks and nonprofits across the state. The company has reached more than 80,000 students and 2,000 teachers through education programs and supported more than 1 million computer science learning hours. More than 1,000 Amazon employees have volunteered in communities across Maryland.

Read more about how Amazon is and the U.S.