I like the idea of roughing out the overall cost, but lets see if we can get the numbers a bit more precise. Looking up pay rates on Indeed, here's what Amazon currently is offering:
Florence KY, warehouse fulfillment associate: $12.80/hour
Las Vegas NV, $12+/hour; Ashland VA: $12.50; Florida: $11.30 estimate; Joliet IL: $13.10; Irvine CA: $13.35; Lancaster NY: $12.25; Wilmer TX: $12.85
Let's call it $12.50 for average starting pay across the United States. That would be $5,000 more/worker, or a $1.5 billion yearly transfer. Still a big number, but not quite as big.
Also, experienced workers likely are making a little more. Let's assume that half the workforce is new or high turnover that's still very close to starting pay. And let's assume that the other half is getting paid $1/hour more on the basis of seniority or slight bumps up in job descriptions/responsibilities, etc. In that case, the average yearly pay increase drops to $4,000, or a $1.2 billion total.
It's still a big number, but not quite as dramatic as the first pass might suggest.
Let's call it $12.50 for average starting pay across the United States. That would be $5,000 more/worker, or a $1.5 billion yearly transfer. Still a big number, but not quite as big.
Also, experienced workers likely are making a little more. Let's assume that half the workforce is new or high turnover that's still very close to starting pay. And let's assume that the other half is getting paid $1/hour more on the basis of seniority or slight bumps up in job descriptions/responsibilities, etc. In that case, the average yearly pay increase drops to $4,000, or a $1.2 billion total.
It's still a big number, but not quite as dramatic as the first pass might suggest.