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If the pandemic gave us anything positive, it’s the gig economy and the opportunities created by shoppers who choose to remain at home while having the world delivered to their doorstep.

Even though stepping out into the world is safer now than at nearly any point in the past two years, people (and the businesses that serve them) decided that having their shopping dropped at their front door was a very appealing perk of lockdowns.

Luckily, that perk opened up a whole new world of delivery jobs for many who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 or decided it was a good time to find a new profession. One of the most widely available gigs is making deliveries for Amazon.

This article will show you how to supplement your income with Amazon Flex or take on a larger, full-time delivery employment option as an Amazon Delivery Service Partner.

Why work for Amazon Flex?

Estimates put the number of freelance workers at over 50% by 2027, many of them gig/delivery workers. The opportunities for delivery drivers have never been better. Why will this part of the workforce keep growing? People love having control of their schedules and maintaining independence in their work. Amazon delivery positions offer the flexibility many job seekers want.

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Amazon Flex, for instance, allows you to use your own vehicle to deliver packages to Amazon customers as a way of earning extra money year-round.

Living in a larger metropolitan area gives you more opportunity than in lower-population rural areas. Amazon has warehouses in bigger cities that provide same-day and even 1–2 hour Prime Now deliveries.

This makes sense for Amazon in lucrative markets but doesn’t work for small markets. Areas with sparse populations don’t offer Amazon Flex and have fewer delivery options, like Amazon Delivery Service Partners (DSP).

If your location and availability allow, you have five kinds of Amazon Flex delivery options to choose from:

Five types of Amazon Flex delivery driver jobs

• Basic package delivery

• Prime Now delivery

• Amazon locker delivery

• Merchant pickups

• Amazon restaurants pickup

Amazon Flex jobs breakdown

Basic package delivery: this is the most common and most popular type of Amazon delivery. Unlike the other four options, availability is high based on Amazon's warehouse locations.

Amazon says drivers can work as much as they want based on availability. Simply download the Amazon Flex app and sign up for delivery blocks in your area. The app will tell you how long the deliveries should take as well as what your expected earnings will be.

It’s the easiest Flex delivery job because the recipient doesn’t necessarily have to be home to deliver. Pay ranges from $18–$25 per hour via direct deposit, twice a week.

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Prime Now Deliveries: This service lets customers order household essentials and other select items to be delivered in as little as 1–2 hours. This service is only available in select metro areas, so it’s not as commonly available.

Delivery is trickier because of the time-sensitivity and may require proof of age from the recipient (many orders include alcohol). The pay is between $18 and $25 per hour plus tips via direct deposit, twice a week.

Amazon Locker Delivery: Because of the increase in porch or doorstep theft, many customers are switching to locker delivery in select, secure locations. Delivery is very straightforward and rarely involves face-to-face dealings with customers.

The availability of this type of flex delivery job is limited, with only 2,000 locations in metro areas, but it is expected to grow in both popularity and availability in the coming years. Pay is $18–$25 per hour, paid via direct deposit, twice a week.

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Merchant pickups: Merchant pickups are Amazon’s way of competing in local markets with items they don’t stock. It falls under the umbrella of Prime Now delivery and is only offered in the same markets.

Much of the merchant pickup options are liquor. Other retailers include pet supplies and specialty foods. Availability is limited to larger metro areas. Pay is $18 to $25 per hour and can include tips.

Amazon Restaurant pickups: This service competes with companies like DoorDash, PostMates, and GrubHub. It's also only available in larger cities. Delivery for this service is more time-sensitive and involves navigating busy restaurants during the busiest periods. Pay is $18 to $25 per hour and includes tips.

How to get started with Amazon Flex

To start earning, simply use your Android or iPhone to download the Amazon Let’s Drive app, take a few minutes to set up your account, and then select the delivery time blocks in your area that work best for you.

Delivery blocks are typically 3–6 hours, and every block selection instantly allows you to see your expected earnings and how long your block is likely to take you to complete. You can also mark yourself as available in the app to qualify for additional instant delivery offers.

On the day of your block, head to your specified Amazon location to pick up your packages. Then, using the Amazon Flex app, navigate to each destination and deliver the package that corresponds with that address.

Once your deliveries are complete, there’s nothing else for you to do but watch your bank balance grow. Amazon Flex pays via direct deposit twice a week, and you can track your payments in the Earnings section within the Amazon Flex app.

Here’s all you need to start delivering:

1. A valid US License and Social Security Number — No CDL is required! Once you create your account, you’ll need to upload a picture of a government-issued U.S. driver’s license.

2. A midsize sedan or larger delivery vehicle (like an SUV, van, or truck with a covered bed) — For Prime Now deliveries, a compact or regular car will work, but for package deliveries, a four-door sedan, truck, or SUV is preferable. Motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles aren't allowed.

3. Insurance — While you need to have your own insurance coverage for your vehicle, Amazon supplements it with Amazon Commercial Auto Insurance free of charge. It covers liability, uninsured/underinsured motorist, and contingent, comprehensive, and collision coverage.

4. iPhone or Android smartphone — For Android phones, you'll need a 7.0 or newer version with at least 2GB of memory. For iPhones, you’ll need iOS 14 or higher and a 6s or newer model.

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*Because deliveries fluctuate from week to week, Amazon cautions against relying on Flex deliveries for full-time income.

Why work for an Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP)?

Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP) positions offer full-time (up to 40 hrs) and morning, afternoon, weekday, and/or weekend work schedule options. DSPs are independent delivery contractors that provide delivery services for Amazon customers. Because of the constant and growing demand for instant gratification and what you want on your doorstep now, DSPs are continually hiring delivery drivers.

DSPs also offer competitive compensation, generous benefits, a great company culture, and opportunities for growth. No delivery experience is required!

As a Delivery Associate, you’ll drive an Amazon-branded vehicle, delivering 200–250 packages per day. You can expect to work 4–5 days per week and up to 10 hours per day. Unlike Amazon Flex jobs, scheduling is a little more rigid. While you can choose times that work best for you (weekdays or weekends, days or nights), you're expected to work a minimum of 40 hours per week.

Many DSPs delivery drivers transition into Lead Driver, Dispatcher, or Operations Manager roles. Delivery drivers can earn pay rates of $15–$18.75 per hour, depending on their delivery location.

Qualification requirements for these jobs include:

1. Must be at least 21 years old.

2. Must have a valid US driver's license within the state of employment. No CDL is required!

3. Must be able to move boxes up to 50lbs, with or without reasonable accommodation.

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While Amazon Flex delivery jobs offer more flexibility, especially for those looking for part-time hours, Amazon DSP drivers enjoy more stability and a reliable, full-time schedule.

The future of delivery and delivery driver jobs

While the past few years have seen an explosion in the delivery market, that job boon will only grow in the coming years. According to an estimate from Deutsche Bank, the online grocery market alone will grow from $24 billion to $120 billion by 2025, and Amazon is well-positioned to take full advantage of this growth. For years, Amazon has enjoyed the #1 spot as the top online U.S. retailer without any close competitors.

When compared to other delivery services (i.e., Grubhub, Doordash), Amazon pays slightly above average but falls short of major package delivery companies like FedEx and UPS.

If you’re trying to choose between an Amazon Flex or an Amazon DSP delivery job, you’ll have to consider what’s more important to you: flexibility or stability. The option of making your own schedule or full benefits like health and life insurance, retirement savings, and the possibility of overtime.

Amazon Flex lets you drop in and out as you need (hence the name), but for long-term job security, Amazon DSP is the better choice. This stability is especially important when it comes time to take out a mortgage or start saving for retirement.

Jobcase can help you find Amazon delivery jobs available in your city when you’re ready to get serious.