Amazon Flex: What It Is and How It Works
If you have time, a car and a cellphone, Amazon Flex is a way to make $18 to $25 an hour delivering packages.
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Amazon Flex is a way to work on your own delivering Amazon packages and/or groceries locally. The flexible hours, independent work and earning potential make it an interesting side hustle option.
What is Amazon Flex?
Amazon Flex is a gig-work courier service from Amazon. Drivers deliver for Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Prime Now and local stores.
How much does Amazon Flex pay?
Most Amazon Flex drivers earn between $18 and $25 per hour, according to Amazon. Actual earnings depend on factors like demand where you live and how much time you have for side work. You also have to factor in the expense of driving your own vehicle.
What Amazon Flex locations are available?
Amazon Flex operates in many cities and towns in the U.S. and hires new drivers based on availability and demand in specific areas. Check the recruiting cities page to find out where Amazon Flex is hiring by state and city.
How do I get started with Amazon Flex?
If there are opportunities where you live, you’ll download the Amazon Flex app to get started. You’ll need to meet these requirements:
- Be age 21 or older.
- Have a valid driver’s license, Social Security number and checking or savings account.
- Have access to a personally-insured midsize or larger vehicle.
You’ll onboard through the app and complete activities to prepare you to deliver with Amazon Flex. According to Amazon, you can be onboarded in an hour and approved to make deliveries within a week.
How does Amazon Flex work?
Deliveries are organized into blocks that are typically three to six hours for Amazon deliveries. Think of a block as a shift, and you’ll use the Amazon Flex app to find and schedule blocks that fit your availability. Blocks show the date, start time and estimated duration and earnings.
What you won’t see is how many miles and how much ground you’ll cover during your block until you pick up your packages.
When it’s time to work, you’ll head to a delivery station or site — such as an Amazon fulfillment center or Whole Foods Market store — to pick up the packages/groceries for delivery.
When you arrive at the pickup location, you'll check in and your block time starts. The app will offer a suggested route for the deliveries. Then, you’ll make deliveries and be done when everything is out.
You will need to make note of any undelivered packages in the app and follow further instructions.
» MORE: How to become a Lyft driver
How much does Amazon Flex pay?
Pay from Amazon Flex work depends on several factors. For example, you may earn closer to $25 per hour by using a larger vehicle that holds more packages. You can also try to claim blocks during times of higher customer demand when Amazon’s rate may surge. Additionally, some deliveries allow customers to give you tips.
You can choose a payday that works for you, and Amazon Flex pays via direct deposit.
Because working for Amazon Flex makes you an independent contractor, you'll be responsible for withholding money for your taxes. You’ll also be responsible for your expenses like gas, tolls, parking and wear and tear on your car, so factor that into your overall earnings.
Pros and cons of Amazon Flex, according to Reddit users
We sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about Amazon Flex. We used an AI tool to help analyze the feedback. Here are the pros and cons that rose to the top of our analysis. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Pros
It’s a flexible way to make money; you choose your own schedule and work without direct supervision.
It can provide good supplemental income when done as a part-time gig.
You can make decent money with surge pricing ($28 to $32 per hour), and, if you hustle, can sometimes finish a block ahead of schedule.
Cons
All that hustle leads to significant wear and tear on your car, and the cost of fuel is on you.
Income can be inconsistent and unreliable, and there are no benefits (e.g. health insurance or paid time off).
Routes can be many miles long and you don’t know the details of the trip before you accept it.
Is Amazon Flex worth it?
The consensus among Reddit users is that Amazon Flex is more worthwhile as a side hustle versus a full-time thing. Amazon Flex advises that time blocks vary week to week and cannot be guaranteed, which is good enough reason to keep your day job.
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