With the rise of the gig economy, it was only a matter of time before Amazon hopped on the bandwagon. Amazon Flex gives the everyday driver the opportunity to deliver packages using their own vehicles – and get paid at least $15/hour while doing it.
As an Amazon Flex driver, you can work as little or as much as you want. Amazon is transparent about how much you’ll earn, allowing you to see exactly how much you’ll get paid for each job.
Like other gig economy jobs, your earnings depend on the demand and how hard you want to work. The more you deliver, the more you earn. Amazon delivery jobs aren’t always easy to come by (there’s a low turnover rate), but they give you a chance to earn supplemental income or full-time income while doing something you enjoy.
What Is Amazon Flex?
Amazon Flex allows drivers to deliver packages on a schedule that is most convenient for them. Here’s how it works:
Qualifications
In order to drive for Amazon Flex, you will need to:
- Live in an area where Flex operates (more than 50 cities across the U.S.).
- Be at least 21 years of age.
- Have a valid driver’s license and social security number.
- Have a qualified vehicle, such as a 4-door, midsize sedan, SUV or van.
- Have a qualifying smartphone.
- Pass a background check.
Note: Amazon requires drivers to provide a photo of themselves for identification purposes. The company states that they may use your photo to create a facial scan, which they call “biometric information.” That information may be retained by Amazon for up to 30 days after its creation for fraud investigation or detection purposes. After 30 days, Amazon deletes this information.
Open an Account and Pass a Background Check
To get started, you will need to download the app, set up an account and then pass a background check.
Once you have passed a background check, you can start making deliveries and earning income.
Reserve a Block
With Amazon Flex, drivers can choose a schedule that is most convenient for them. Within the app, you can search for delivery blocks in your area that you can claim.
Before you reserve a block, you can see your expected earnings and an estimate of how long the block will take to complete. The time it takes to complete a round will depend on what you’re delivering:
- Amazon.com: 3-6 hours on average
- Amazon Fresh and Prime Now: 2-4 hours
- Store orders: 2-4 hours
- Instant offers: 15-45 minutes
If you mark yourself as available through the app, then you will receive instant offers.
Reserving a block is easy:
- Open the Amazon Flex app.
- Tap the Upcoming Offers button.
- If you find an offer that meets your needs, just swipe to accept.
- Once you accept, you will receive a confirmation message.
- The app will automatically add the reservation to your calendar. Confirmed delivery blocks will appear as orange dots on your calendar.
If, for some reason, you anticipate being late or not being able to complete a delivery block, simply navigate to the Calendar section of the app and tap Forfeit Block. You will have up to 45 minutes before the block starts to cancel.
If you accept a block within 45 minutes of it starting, you will only have 5 minutes to cancel. Otherwise, it will be considered a missed block.
The app makes it easy to see only the offers that you want and are interested in taking. This is done through filters, which allow you to view offers that meet your:
- Times
- Stations
When viewing upcoming offers, simply tap Filter in the upper left corner.
Amazon Flex truly is flexible. Drivers do not have to make a minimum number of deliveries to remain a driver.
But Amazon does warn that their Flex program is really aimed at people who want to make supplemental income during their free time or part-time income. Delivery blocks can fluctuate, and your hours aren’t guaranteed.
If you like the idea of driving for Amazon, there are secure positions available through Delivery Service Partners, or DSPs (more on that soon).
Deliver Packages
When it’s time to start your block, head to your designated Amazon location to pick up the packages you will be delivering. The app will instruct you on what to do once you arrive at the station.
Before heading out, you may have to scan all of the packages that you will be delivering, depending on what you’re delivering.
You can then use the Amazon Flex app to navigate to each address and make each delivery.
Once you deliver your packages, you get paid. It’s as simple as that. If you are unable to deliver certain packages, you must return them to their original pick-up location when you’re done with your block.
When you’re out delivering packages, you are free to wear whatever attire you feel comfortable in, and you can also bring anything that you may need to help you with your deliveries. There are restrictions and stipulations about passengers and pets, so you may want to inquire about these situations if they apply to you.
If you run into any problems when you’re out making deliveries, you can tap the Help button in the app to call support.
Amazon Flex Driver Pay
On average, Amazon Flex pay drivers earn $18-$25 per hour. How much you earn will depend on how long it takes you to complete orders and a variety of other factors.
If you make deliveries that allow customers to leave tips, you receive 100% of those tips. Amazon pays by the block, so if you finish early, that translates to higher hourly earnings.
Amazon says that they always contribute at least $15-$19 per scheduled hour (depending on your location and the demand in that area), so if you work efficiently, you should earn at least this amount per hour.
For deliveries that allow customer tips, you will see an earnings range. Amazon estimates tips based on the amounts received by other delivery partners for similar runs.
Before accepting any delivery block, you will be able to see how much you will earn (or a range if there’s a possibility for tips). If you have an earnings goal that you’d like to meet, being able to see your earnings will help you gauge which runs to make and how often.
Looking at data from Indeed.com, you can get an idea of how much actual Amazon Flex drivers earn:
- $53,781/year on average
- $16.62/hour on average
Drivers for Amazon Flex are paid twice a week (Tuesday and Friday) through direct deposit.
You can view and track your earnings through the app.
Keep in mind that as an Amazon Flex driver, you will be operating as an independent contractor.
The only thing Amazon supplies is the work. This means that you will be responsible for the following expenses:
- Gas
- Insurance
- Wear and tear on your vehicle
- Vehicle registration and inspection fees
Amazon does not reimburse you for any of these expenses, so you’ll need to account for them when considering your earnings.
Does Amazon Flex Pay Depend on Your Location?
A variety of factors will affect your earnings as an Amazon Flex driver. One of those factors is your location.
Amazon’s minimum contribution varies from one city to the next, so your hourly earnings will be largely dependent on where you are located. During periods of high customer demand, Amazon’s contribution may be higher, which means that you may earn more as a result.
Amazon Delivery Services Partner (DSP) Careers
Drivers who want a solid schedule and consistent earnings can apply for a position driving for a Delivery Services Partner (DSP).
As a delivery driver, you will be responsible for delivering packages to retailers, residential homes and other destinations. You will be required to make deliveries on time, and that means having to organize your route.
With this position, you will take on a more formal delivery role. Amazon will provide handheld technology to help you manage deliveries, and you may be required to interact with customers from time to time.
Here’s where a DSP career differs from a Flex driving job:
- The position is full-time and will require you to work 40 hours a week.
- An Amazon delivery partner will provide you with a delivery vehicle.
DSPs are independent organizations, and you will be working directly for a DSP that operates in your local area.
DSP job listings are easy to access through Amazon’s driving job portal, so you can get an idea of how much you will earn, the benefits and other requirements.
Generally, DSP positions offer:
- Employee benefits
- Earnings of $15+/hour, depending on your location
- 10-hour working days
- 4-5-day weeks
Pay varies greatly from one location to the next. Looking at current job listings, we can see the following:
- San Leandro, CA: $20-$21.25+/hour
- Dallas, TX: $15/hour
- Rochester, NY: $15/hour
- Durham, NC: $15/hour
- Hanover, MD: $16-$17.25+/hour
- Middleborough, MA: $15-$16.25+/hour
What Type of Insurance Do I Need to Drive for Amazon?
When driving as an Amazon Flex delivery partner, you will need to ensure that you have adequate insurance coverage for delivering packages in your area.
Anyone interested in participating in the Amazon Flex program should contact their insurance company to make sure that they have the right coverage. A standard auto insurance policy may not provide coverage because delivering packages may be considered a commercial activity (not covered by a regular insurance policy). Most insurers now offer additional coverage for this activity.
Along with your own coverage, Amazon also provides Flex drivers in all states (except NY) with Amazon Commercial Auto Insurance coverage for free. This policy includes the following:
- Contingent collision and comprehensive coverage
- Auto liability
- Under-insured or uninsured motorist coverage
This coverage only applies to Flex drivers (not passengers), and only when they have a valid personal policy and are actively driving during a delivery block.
If you live in NY, you may need to acquire additional commercial auto insurance to ensure you have the right amount and type of coverage.
Amazon Flex and DSP careers allow you to drive for one of the biggest retailers on the planet. With Flex, you can work as often as you like and whenever is most convenient for you. As a DSP driver, you can enjoy a full-time career with employee benefits and a consistent schedule.
Think you might be a good fit?
You can find more information on the official Amazon Flex website here: https://flex.amazon.com/.
If you want to look more into traditional CDL careers with Amazon, you can read about our take on Amazon truck driver pay here.