All Amazon drivers, including those employed by Local Delivery Service Partners (DSP), earn a minimum of $15 per hour. In New York they get £17 per hour and $20 per hour in San Francisco. However, the hourly rate can increase depending on various factors such as additional skills, certification, education, experience, ease of delivery, the season of the year, location and how much effort you put in. Personal efforts can increase earnings also.
Different locations have different wage rates. For instance, job listings for Amazon delivery drivers in New York start from $17 per hour. In San Francisco, the wage rate starts from $20 per hour. There are chances of earning more if you live in an area with a higher cost of living.
Note that the minimum $15 hourly wage rate exceeds the minimum wage rate in most cities across the US.
Earnings of Amazon Driver Vs. Amazon Flex Driver
Besides the traditional amazon drivers, the company also contracts delivery partners commonly known as the Amazon Flex drivers. Flex drivers are independent contractors who pay their own gas, use their own cars, and accept shifts (known as delivery blocks) to deliver Amazon packages or whole food orders.
Unlike the traditional Amazon drivers, Amazon Flex drivers are not paid a set hourly wage rate. Instead, they receive a flat rate depending on the delivery block completed. Using the Amazon Flex app, drivers can see the exact guaranteed earnings for every delivery block, determined by how much time it takes to spend in a given route.
When you break everything down, the average earnings for Amazon Flex drivers come to about $18 to $25 per hour, which is slightly higher than the traditional Amazon drivers. However, as independent contractors, Amazon Flex drivers often have extra expenses. Unlike the Amazon Flex driver, the standard Amazon drivers often enjoy additional perks.
Earnings of a Delivery Service Partner Driver Job
Amazon DSP drivers earn a minimum of $15 per hour and vary with the location. Besides, they also enjoy employee benefits and work for up to 10 hours and 4 to 5 days a week. The following are pay rates in different locations.
- Dallas, Texas $15 per hour
- San Leandro, Califorbia $20 – $21.25 per hour
- Rochester, New York $15 per hour
- Middleborough, Massachusetts $15 – 16.50 per hour
- Hanover, Maryland $16 – 17.25 per hour
- Durham, North Carolina $15 per hour
Benefits the Traditional Amazon Drivers Get
Like any other employee in many organizations, full-time Amazon van drivers are also eligible for employee benefits that can extend to cover other eligible family members.
Some of these benefits include the following:
- Paid Time Off refers to benefits that an employer compensates employees when they are absent from work. All full-time employees qualify for paid time off (PTO) throughout the year. Under this benefit program, the employee can take off some days but still receive compensation. It often includes absence due to illness, vacation, personal appointments, or other personal circumstances.
Typically, PTO is determined by how an employee is classified, whether full-time, part-time, or salaried. Ordinarily, it increases depending on the number of years spent working for Amazon.
- Health Cover – Full-time Amazon drivers are eligible for health coverage. They can choose from different health insurance plans that include prescription drugs cover and a Health Savings Account (HSA). Employees can also choose from a range of vision and dental plans. Drivers also are eligible for discounted doctor consultations or free nurse consultations on a 24/7 medical advice line.
- Financial Security Plans – Drivers on the full-time job are entitled to Amazon’s 401(k) plan, long-term and short-term disability pay, and life insurance.
DSPs also offer competitive benefits to their drivers even if they are not working directly for Amazon.
Earnings of Amazon Flex Driver
A Flex driver’s earnings will largely depend on the block the driver selects. However, other factors also come into play. Typically, a driver can choose three types of deliveries in each delivery block.
- Amazon Prime Package delivery
- Amazon Prime Now/Fresh groceries delivery
- Whole Foods delivery
1. Amazon Prime Package Delivery
Flex drivers on the Amazon Prime Package Delivery plan are paid anything from $15 to $18 per hour. With this plan, drivers are not allowed to receive tips on deliveries. However, they can receive adjustments with time.
It is the most common delivery plan, and drivers deliver regular Amazon and Amazon Prime packages. Generally, the blocks are between 2 and 5 hours and sometimes 6 hours. As a Flex driver, you’ll be delivering between 20 and 70 packages for every shift, depending on the hours. A 5-hour shift would typically have anything between 55 and 60 packages.
According to drivers who have worked with Amazon Flex, it is one of the challenging delivery plans.
2. Amazon Prime Now/Fresh Delivery
For the Amazon Prime Now/Fresh grocery delivery, the pay starts from $15 per hour. Drivers on this delivery plan are allowed to receive tips. The estimated earnings (tips range + base pay) are given on the app’s block offer.
Typically, drivers can either drive to another part of the city or to the metroplex where the warehouse is located. Prime Now deliveries are collected from a different location from the Prime package deliveries. A different warehouse in another place.
Drivers are given a time limit to deliver packages, and if they are often late, it will affect their standing with Amazon Flex.
Some drivers have reported delivery packages missing from the route number cart they took. Also, when their phone indicates that the packages on their assigned route are ready, the people at the warehouse tell them it is not ready.
3. Whole Foods Delivery
Whole Foods delivery plan is almost similar to Amazon Prime Now/Fresh. However, WF requires the driver to pick up the package and deliver it within a one-hour window frame. With Amazon Prime Now/Fresh, the divers have to go to any warehouse of choice to get the package and deliver it within a two-hour window frame.
Whole Foods drivers are paid $15 per hour, and they are allowed to take tips. A driver with “Available now” turned on the app can receive instant offers for Whole Food delivery if they are located in an area near a WF that a client has ordered a pick up.
Amazon also adds some bonus to the pay last-minute if no one selects the block available. According to drivers who have been working as Flex drivers for years, you may need to drive to the delivery address. You also may be required to go back to the Whole Foods location to get more packages.
One thing to remember is that Whole Foods will not allow you to pick up any packages after the closing hours, even if Amazon Flex has instructed you to get the package after the closing time.
Amazon Flex is a flexible job, and drivers are not expected to make a particular minimum number of hours or deliveries to remain as drivers. There is no warning or disclaimer from Amazon indicating that the Flex program is for people who want to make supplemental earnings or part-time jobs. Your hours are not guaranteed, and delivery blocks can fluctuate.
Payment Structure for the Amazon Flex Drivers
Amazon Flex drivers are typically paid a flat rate for every delivery block accepted and completed. A typical delivery block lasts anywhere from two hours to six hours from arriving at the pickup location until the time the package is dropped off.
Before the driver accepts any delivery block, they can see the guaranteed pay and the estimated time to complete the delivery. As a result, the driver can calculate how much he’ll earn per hour for the delivery before committing.
For instance, if a two-hour block delivery guarantees $36, the hourly earning is $18 once the shift is complete. Once all the packages are delivered successfully or returned to a delivery station, they can receive the exact amount offered for the delivery block.
The Amazon Flex payment structure is transparent, and drivers often earn the stated figure. This differentiates Amazon from other companies that take a commission that’s not less than 20%. Additionally, mileage reimbursements are not included in the payment structure for all Amazon Flex delivery blocks.
Flex Drivers Make Less than $300 In A Day
It is generally not possible for Amazon Flex drivers to make $300 in a day because Amazon restricts the number of hours a partner driver can work in a day. It’s not possible even on increased wage rates and increased delivery blocks. You also have to consider gas, maintenance, and taxes.
The exact amount is highly variable depending on the situation and region. For instance, if your work area is a city with lots of available times for deliveries, you can earn more than a driver in a different city with much less time for deliveries.
If you pick a 4-hour route followed by a 3-hour route each day, you could make $120 daily. It all depends on the available delivery blocks in your location and your market in general. Sometimes you could have blocks, and another day they are not available, which also depends on the saturation of drivers.
The main factors that determine your earnings are the number of hours you are assigned in a day, gas consumption efficiency, tips, gratuity, and taxes.
As an independent contractor, you must realize that Amazon will only supply you with work. As a result, you have to be responsible for other expenses such as:
- Insurance
- Gas
- Your van’s wear and tear
- Vehicle Inspection and registration fees
Amazon will not reimburse you for any of the above expenses, and therefore you’ll have to account for these when calculating your net earnings.
How Amazon Determines Payment
Although Amazon says the base pay rate for the Flex drivers is between $18 and $25 per hour, this is before deducting expenses. Drivers say after expenses, it comes to about $15 per hour. However, some markets have a higher rate that could go as high as $25 per hour depending on several factors such as the difficulty of delivery, high demand, holiday rush, or inclement weather.
Although customers are not required to tip drivers, Amazon Flex drivers can increase their chances of receiving tips by offering professional customer service and making prompt deliveries.
The amount of money that a driver can make in a week or a month will largely depend on the number of shifts they are willing to take and the number of shifts that Amazon will assign.
Amazon puts a cap on the maximum number of hours that drivers can work to ensure the work remains part-time, and it works as follows.
- Maximum hours in a day – Seven hours
- Maximum hours in a week – 29 hours
- Maximum hours in a month- 116 hours
Remember, Amazon Flex drivers are self-employed contractors and not Amazon employees. Therefore, if the Amazon Flex drivers were always given 40 hours each week, they would qualify to be treated as full-time employees and could easily open flood gates of lawsuits demanding the benefits of full-time employees.
Although Amazon puts a cap on hours worked each day or week, there are instances when these limitations are lifted. During busy seasons like the winter holiday and black Fridays, Amazon Flex drivers can take more shifts to meet the demands of their busy schedules.
Even during such peak seasons, Amazon still monitors and keeps track of the total number of hours each driver has worked. They will be cut off from delivery blocks whenever they are too close to the threshold that could give anyone grounds to claim they’re Amazon employees.
Despite these limitations, Amazon Flex drivers can still maximize the opportunity to increase their earnings.
Amazon Flex Drivers Are Paid Twice Per Week
Typically, all Amazon Flex drivers receive their payments twice each week paid through direct deposit. The wages are processed on Fridays and Tuesdays and would take one business day to receive their payments, excluding bank holidays. They will also receive tips from the customer within a few days after completing a delivery block. The tips are also paid through the flex app by the customer.
The drivers can update their bank account information on the Amazon Flex app if there are any changes. Additionally, Amazon Flex support can assist if there is any problem and can be reached via email.
Qualifications For Amazon Flex Drivers
Amazon has minimum requirements for anyone wishing to join the delivery program.
You have to meet the following qualifications:
- 21 years of age or older
- A valid driver’s license and a social security number
- Living in an area where Flex works, currently more than 50 cities across the country
- Having a vehicle for deliveries such as a van, SUV, midsize sedan
- A smartphone
- Pass Amazon background check
- A proof of van registration and valid auto insurance
Note that you will be required to provide a photo of yourself for identification. The photo is used to create a facial scan to create biometric information. The information is retained for a maximum of 30 days for fraud investigations and identification purposes.
Although no exceptional physical fitness is required, you should be able to lift and move packages from your vehicle to the customer’s door. Similarly, the previous driving experience is not necessary, though helpful if one has experience in rideshare or delivery. Having a safe and clean driving history is more important.
Once you’ve passed the Amazon background check, you can get started by downloading the Amazon Flex app, and you can start making deliveries.
Drivers have to choose a schedule that is convenient to them. Using the Flex app, you can search for delivery blocks in your locality that you can claim.
How Much Do Amazon DSP Drivers Earn
Local Delivery Service Partners (DSP) are independent contractors running a full-time business who partner with Amazon to deliver packages. DSP owners must hire, train, and retain a team of 40 -100 employees. Additionally, they must have a fleet of 20 to 40 vans.
Amazon looks for a wide range of information on every entrepreneur wishing to join the program, including education, work history, financial information, and many so on.
Drivers wishing to establish solid and consistent earnings working full time should consider a position to drive for a local Delivery Service Partner (DSP). The drivers are responsible for delivering packages to different destinations such as residential homes and other retailers.
There are three main differences between the Amazon Flex and DSP drivers
- DSP drivers are on a full-time job
- DSP drivers are provided with a van for delivery
- DSP drivers are not working directly for Amazon
Earnings of Amazon Flex Driver Vs. Uber Driver
According to drivers who have worked as Uber/Lyft and Amazon Flex drivers, one could make more money working as an Amazon flex driver. For instance, a 3-hour delivery block could be going for $54, and a driver could take only one hour or the whole three hours, and the earnings are still $54.
One driver who worked for more than a year as a flex drive says he could count the number of times he worked 3 hours to complete a 3-hour delivery block. It is also essential to note that one can report as early as 15 minutes before the delivery block start time or 5 minutes late from the start of the shift time.
However, being late to schedule a delivery block can significantly affect your standing with Amazon. Additionally, you may need to fill your tank more often, depending on your location. You will have to drive to the warehouse, then to the delivery locations, and finally to your place.
Remember that Amazon will not cover your expenses such as toll payments, gas, and anything else to your van. However, they will pay an adjustment after completing your deliveries.
On the other hand, Uber always pays 80% of whatever they charge the passengers, and according to some drivers, it translates to about the minimum wage.
Uber says one can net $15 per hour after subtracting gas, maintenance, and insurance. According to one Uber driver, such earnings are only possible in a highly urban area having a large college student population. He says it is unlikely to net such an amount in his workplace.
Amazon drivers have expenses typically much lower than expenses incurred by Uber or Lyft drivers. Additionally, as a Flex driver, there are no passengers who can potentially cause damage to the car.
Amazon also is excellent in logistics, so you can put very little mileage on your van compared to other rideshares.
Final Take
Amazon van drivers make anything between $18 and $25 per hour, and these are the figures on the Amazon website. These figures are gross earnings, and after taking into account other daily expenses, it comes to about $15+ hours per hour.
Additionally, the drivers who are employees enjoy extra benefits from Amazon. On the other hand, Amazon Flex drivers are independent contractors. Their earnings vary depending on location, season, and delivery blocks assigned in a day. The more deliveries they make, the higher their earnings.
The minimum contribution from Amazon from one location to another varies significantly, and therefore the hourly earnings also will vary depending on a wide range of factors such as location. In seasons with high demand, the earnings will also be high.
Drivers working for DSP work full time, and though they don’t work directly for Amazon earn about $15 per hour.