As an entrepreneur myself, I know how valuable it can be to have a flexible side gig that brings in extra income. If you‘re looking for just that, Amazon Flex is an option worth exploring. But exactly how much can you earn as an Amazon delivery driver?
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll break down the pay structure and factors that determine your earnings from my perspective as a fellow small business owner.
What is Amazon Flex?
Amazon Flex is an on-demand delivery program that lets everyday people use their own vehicles to deliver packages for Amazon in their spare time. As an independent contractor, you get to set your own schedule by picking up delivery blocks that fit your availability through the Amazon Flex app.
To deliver with Amazon Flex, you must:
- Be 21 years or older
- Have a valid driver‘s license and car insurance
- Use a midsize sedan or larger vehicle
- Pass a background check
It offers the huge perk of a flexible schedule – perfect if you need to supplement income while running your own business. But there are costs to factor in like gas, maintenance, and self-employment taxes.
Average Hourly Earnings
Amazon advertises that drivers earn $18-25 per hour. But based on inner-city data, your actual earnings will likely fall between $20-22 per hour on average including tips and bonuses.
Here are some of the pay factors that determine your income:
- Base pay – Ranges from $18/hr for standard blocks up to $27/hr for Prime Now deliveries
- Location – Major metro areas pay up to $5/hr more
- Time – Increased rates offered during evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Tips – Accounts for $3-5 per hour on top of base pay
- Bonuses – Occasional peak boosts for completing extra deliveries
Top performers report earnings of $25/hr or more through optimized blocks and deliveries. But many drivers see closer to $20/hr after costs.
One analysis of over 300 drivers across 20 major cities found average hourly earnings to be $21.73 including tips and bonuses.
| City | Average Hourly Earnings |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $24.12 |
| San Francisco | $22.99 |
| Chicago | $21.45 |
| Austin | $20.31 |
| Miami | $19.56 |
So while earnings vary significantly, you can expect to make between $20-25 per hour before expenses based on your location and performance.
Factors That Influence Earnings
As your own boss with Amazon Flex, your pay will vary based on these key factors:
Location & Demand
Your earnings potential largely depends on your location. Major metro areas like NYC and LA have far higher base rates and more delivery opportunities. Smaller regions tend to offer lower pay rates and fewer blocks.
Vehicle Capacity
Using a larger vehicle like an SUV allows you to take more packages per block, resulting in higher per hour earnings. Sedans have lower package capacity.
Delivery Station
Working out of busy delivery stations means more blocks and delivery opportunities. Stations vary in volume.
Prime Delivery Windows
Prime Now and Amazon Fresh blocks that deliver in 1-2 hours pay the most. But they operate mostly nights and weekends.
Efficiency & Planning
Maximizing deliveries per hour and optimizing your block schedule boosts earnings. Track mileage for tax deductions.
Customer Ratings
Providing excellent service earns tips and maintains rankings needed to access more high paying blocks
So location, efficiency, and planning are major factors within your control that can influence your potential earnings with Amazon Flex. Let‘s look at some real-world examples.
Meet Linda from Los Angeles…
Linda consistently earns over $25 per hour delivering out of a busy LA station in her Toyota Highlander SUV. She maximizes deliveries per block, targets Prime Now blocks on weekends, and receives great tips for her friendly service.
And Mark from Nashville…
Mark earns around $18 per hour driving his Toyota Camry sedan in Nashville. Lower demand means fewer blocks available and low tips. He also averages fewer deliveries per block than top drivers.
After deducting his costs, Mark nets under $15/hour – proving location and optimization make a huge difference.
As you can see, earnings vary widely, but the opportunity is there to earn over $20/hr with Amazon Flex in major cities. It requires deliberately maximizing every block through efficiency and planning. But the schedule flexibility makes it an attractive income stream for many entrepreneurs.
