JD Food Delivery plans to hire 100,000 full-time couriers in delivery expansion push

JD.com’s food delivery arm plans to dramatically ramp up its workforce in the next three months as competition in China’s last-mile delivery sector intensifies. The online retailer has said it plans to recruit 100,000 full-time couriers in more than 130 cities, offering comprehensive employment benefits and guaranteed income. New hires will be enrolled in China’s social insurance program at JD.com expense – a move that positions JD.com as one of few major players offering full benefits in a market dominated by gig work. Couriers will also have access to paid leave, health checkups, and other perks typically reserved for office employees. To ease onboarding, JD.com is promising a minimum monthly income of 5,000 yuan ($690) for the first three months, with opportunities to earn more based on performance. After the probationary period, the company says couriers can expect at least 7,000 yuan ($965) in base salary, alongside merit-based promotions to supervisory roles. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the average annual salary for employees at enterprises above a designated size reached RMB 98,096 ($13,460) in 2024, translating to an average monthly salary of approximately RMB 8,175 ($1,121). [iThome, in Chinese]