(CNN)– Amazon warehouse workers are getting a pay raise and free Prime membership. Amazon announced on Wednesday, Sept. 18, the average starting wage has increased to more than $22 an hour. That is good news for the online retail giant’s more than 800 thousand front-line employees. The company will also offer the $139 yearly Prime benefit to employees for free. The wage hike comes ahead of the busy holiday shopping season and analysts are predicting online sales will increase this year. Categories: News Tags: Amazon, Amazon Prime