How Much Does Amazon Flex Pay Per Block?
In the world of gig apps, driving and delivery gigs are some of the most common.
And, out of all the driving gigs out there, Amazon Flex is one of the most popular. It lets you make money delivering Amazon packages in your spare time, and it's available in North America and several other countries.
But how much does Amazon Flex pay per block? And how much can you realistically make with this side hustle per week?
It's time to break down the math behind the driving gig so you have realistic expectations and can decide if it's the right hustle for you.
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What Are Amazon Flex Blocks?
Amazon Flex blocks are delivery shifts that drivers claim using the Amazon Flex driver app. Blocks are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each block has an estimated completion time and says the minimum amount it pays upon completion.
Most Amazon Flex blocks last about three to four hours. The Amazon Flex driver app has a list of available blocks, and you can refresh the app to see when new blocks are available.
This system is very different from gigs like DoorDash and Uber Eats, both of which let you deliver whenever you want.
However, the trade-off is that you know your minimum pay for an Amazon Flex block, as well as how long you're delivering for.
How Much Does Amazon Flex Pay Per Block?
According to Amazon Flex, drivers earn between $18 and $25 per scheduled hour. This means Amazon Flex blocks pay around $54 on the lower end to $75 on the higher end if you complete a three hour block. This is also the minimum pay before any potential tips or surge pay.
Again, most Amazon Flex blocks are only about three to four hours. So, if you get paid $18 per hour on the low-end and work three hours, that's $54. But you could get lucky and score a block that pays $25 for four hours, netting you $100.
How much Amazon Flex blocks pay depends on numerous factors like your market, the number of packages you deliver, delivery difficulty, potential tips, and any promotional pay. Tips in particular can make a massive difference in how much Amazon Flex blocks pay.
But generally, expect about $50 to $80 for every Amazon Flex block you complete before factoring in expenses.
What Do Other Amazon Flex Drivers Say
One great way to tell how much Amazon Flex pays per block is to see what other drivers have to say about their experiences.
And, thankfully, there are tons of Reddit threads where real Amazon Flex drivers share their block pay data and thoughts on this side hustle:
- Giant_sloth069 says: “$100 for a 4 hour block that will only take 3 hours to do. It’s pretty good.”
- RAL1111 says: “All depends. I only do grocery delivery (amazon fresh and whole foods) and average $30-35 /hr but we have a lot of demand here where I am.”
- JAG190 says: “As others have said it varies based on location but based on what I've read on this subreddit I'd estimate it's usually between $18-$22/hr non-surge base pay for non-tip routes (not Fresh or Whole Foods). If you live in a high COL area it'll probably be on the higher end otherwise I'd plan for about $20/hour if I were you.”
- whatevermajorloser69 says: “Dependent on area. I’m in Austin and the base rates are $18/hr. I usually can get blocks in the range of $20-28/hr. If I’m lucky and a shark on the app at surge times, I can get $35+. It’s never consistent.”
Additionally, delivering for Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh can make a difference since these delivery gigs usually come with tips. In contrast, regular Amazon.com deliveries almost never get tips.
The bottom line is that you're still making around $40 to $50 at the minimum for every Amazon Flex block you complete. But if you get a good block, you're probably in the $75 to $100 range before any potential tips.
What Influences Amazon Flex Block Pay?
There are numerous factors that influence how much Amazon Flex pays per block, including:
- Your market
- The types of deliveries you complete on your block (i.e. Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods versus Amazon.com packages)
- Potential tips (drivers keep 100% of all tips)
- Surge pay (Amazon Flex pays more per block during busy periods, like Christmas)
- How long blocks are
- How many packages are in a block
- Any ongoing driver pay promotions
According to Amazon: “Earnings are based on a variety of factors. Amazon’s minimum contribution varies by city/region, which means the location you deliver in impacts your hourly earnings. During high customer demand, Amazon’s contribution may increase, which will translate into higher earnings.”
And remember: Amazon Flex assigns the delivery route to you. But how fast you complete all your deliveries depends on traffic and your speed.
This means your hourly pay can actually vary a fair amount. However, the minimum amount you make per block is outlined when you claim the open block.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Amazon Flex Pay Per Mile?
Amazon Flex pays per block, not by mile. Additionally, you earn $18 to $25 per scheduled block hour, but delivery distance varies per block.
But as an example, let's say a three hour Amazon Flex block pays $60. Let's also say you drive 50 miles for this block. This works out to $1.2 per mile you drive.
Again, this is just an example. But after you complete a few blocks, take all of your earnings and total mileage and get an average idea for your market.
How Much Does Amazon Flex Pay Per Hour?
In the United States, Amazon Flex pays $18 to $25 per scheduled block hour as base pay. But you can earn a higher hourly rate if you complete all your deliveries faster than the allocated block time. Factors like tips and surge pay can also increase your earnings.
When Does Amazon Flex Pay?
According to Amazon Flex's website, you get to choose which weekday you get paid. Amazon Flex also says:
“For blocks completed from Sunday to Thursday, earnings are available on your next payment day. For blocks completed on Friday or Saturday, earnings are available Monday, or your next chosen payment day. For blocks that are eligible for tips, customers have 24 hours to update the tips, so you’ll receive payment 2-3 days after your completed blocks, or on the next scheduled payment day after this.”
Also note that bank holidays can delay your payments by a day or two. But you can definitely make quick money with Amazon Flex, and it pays much faster than gigs like DoorDash or Uber Eats.
How Much Can You Make A Week With Amazon Flex?
If you get three or four blocks a week, it's possible to make around $250 to $400 a week with Amazon Flex. However, for most drivers, Amazon Flex is just supplemental income and not a replacement for a full-time job.
The reason for this is that it's hard to consistently schedule blocks. This is why many drivers use Amazon Flex and DoorDash at the same time or other delivery gigs
Here's what some other drivers are saying on Reddit about their weekly Amazon Flex pay:
- Pnfyorch says: “You won't get 40 hours doing Flex, but you can get 40 hours doing other delivery apps all together. I can say you'll make more than a regular common job.”
- queenwormie says: “On Tuesday and Friday. Tomorrow I will get paid $854, and this past Friday I got paid $381 (I took Monday off). So I made $1235 this last week (before gas). Take home is about $1000.,”
- briittanny_ says: “I worked Sat, Sun & Monday. 12 hours total and made $450, $37/hr. You could definitely do Amazon for a full time income without working anywhere near 40 hours. Just don’t take base pay and it will be worth it. This is in Cincinnati, OH.”
Extra Reading – How To Make $500 A Week With DoorDash.
What Are Some Good Side Hustle Alternatives?
If you want a flexible side hustle and job that can pay the same day, driving for Amazon Flex is a great fit.
However, the main downside of this gig is that it can be difficult to get enough blocks. In fact, some drivers resort to Amazon Flex bots, which is software that tries to claim available blocks automatically.
I don't suggest using bots since this risks Amazon Flex deactivation. Instead, I think the best course of action is to sign up for other gig jobs so you get as many delivery opportunities as possible.
Some other jobs like Amazon Flex you can try include:
- DoorDash: The leading food delivery service in North America.
- Instacart: The most popular grocery delivery service that pays you to shop for people's groceries.
- Uber Eats: Another leading food delivery gig where you can deliver via bike, car, or scooter.
- GoShare: An excellent delivery gig if you have a cargo van, box truck, or pickup truck.
- Cornershop: Another grocery delivery job like Instacart you can use alongside Amazon Flex.
Just note that you're an independent contractor with all these gigs. This means you're responsible for accurately reporting your income. And you should also track expenses like gas and vehicle repairs for potential deductions.
Extra Reading – The Best Jobs You Can Do From Your Phone.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide on how much Amazon Flex pays per block helps you understand the earning potential for this side hustle.
Out of all the driving gigs, Amazon Flex generally pays the most per hour. And I like it because you know the minimum base pay per block you accept. And if you can get tips or surge pay, your hourly pay is generally pretty high.
Just remember that competition with other drivers can make it tricky to get enough blocks. But you can offset this by mixing in other gigs like DoorDash or Instacart to keep the cash coming in.
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