Get started freeAmazon Flex lets you deliver Amazon packages using your own car, on your own schedule, for $18 to $25 per hour base pay. Unlike Uber Eats or DoorDash where your income depends heavily on tips, Amazon Flex offers a guaranteed hourly rate for each delivery block you complete. With Amazon shipping over 5 billion packages in the US annually, there is no shortage of work — the challenge is actually getting the delivery blocks you want.
In 2026, Amazon Flex remains one of the more predictable gig economy options, but competition for blocks has increased. Many drivers fill their non-driving hours with phone-based income tools like I am Beezy, earning an extra $5 to $15 daily by viewing content between delivery windows. Here is the complete picture of what Amazon Flex pays, how the system works, and whether it is worth your time.
Amazon Flex Pay: What to Expect
Base pay and how blocks work
Amazon Flex pays per delivery block, not per package. A block is a time window — typically 3 to 5 hours — during which you pick up and deliver a set of packages from an Amazon warehouse or Whole Foods store. Base pay in 2026 ranges from $18 to $25 per hour depending on your city and the type of delivery. Logistics blocks (standard Amazon packages) tend to pay the base rate, while Prime Now and Whole Foods blocks occasionally offer higher rates due to tighter delivery windows.
Surge pricing and increased rates
When Amazon struggles to fill delivery blocks — usually during holidays, bad weather, or early morning slots — the pay rate increases. It is not uncommon to see 4-hour blocks jump from $72 (the $18/hour base) to $100 or even $120. Experienced Flex drivers learn to wait for these surged blocks, especially around Prime Day, Black Friday, and the December holiday rush when rates can spike to $30 to $40 per hour.
| Block Type | Duration | Base Pay Range | Surged Pay Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logistics (warehouse) | 3 - 5 hours | $54 - $125 | $75 - $200 |
| Whole Foods | 2 - 4 hours | $36 - $100 | $50 - $150 |
| Prime Now | 2 - 4 hours | $36 - $100 | $50 - $140 |
| Fresh grocery | 3 - 5 hours | $54 - $125 | $72 - $175 |
Tips on Whole Foods and Fresh deliveries
One major advantage of Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh blocks is that customers can tip through the app. Tips are not included in the base pay — they are additional income that shows up 24 to 48 hours after delivery. Average tips on grocery deliveries run $5 to $15 per block, occasionally much more during holidays. Logistics blocks (standard packages) do not include tips.
How to Sign Up for Amazon Flex
Requirements and the application process
To drive for Amazon Flex in 2026, you need to be at least 21 years old, have a valid US driver's license, pass a background check, have a Social Security number, and own a mid-size or larger vehicle (4-door sedan, SUV, or larger). You also need a smartphone with the Amazon Flex app installed. The application process takes 1 to 2 weeks: you submit your info, consent to the background check, watch training videos, and then you can start grabbing blocks.
The block-grabbing challenge
Here is the biggest frustration with Amazon Flex: available blocks disappear within seconds. The app releases blocks at seemingly random times, and in popular markets, dozens of drivers are refreshing their screens simultaneously. Some drivers use the "tap and refresh" method for hours, while others set up notifications. Amazon has been cracking down on third-party block-grabbing bots, so your best bet is learning the release patterns for your local warehouse and being ready at those times.
Maximizing Your Amazon Flex Earnings
Finish early, earn the same
Amazon pays you the full block rate regardless of how long the deliveries actually take. If you accept a 4-hour block for $90 and finish all your deliveries in 2.5 hours, you still earn $90. That effectively raises your hourly rate to $36. Experienced drivers optimize their routes to finish blocks 30% to 50% faster than estimated. The key is knowing your delivery area and organizing packages in your car by stop order before leaving the warehouse.
Stack income sources during off-hours
Amazon Flex blocks are not always available when you want them. You might grab a morning block from 5 AM to 9 AM and then have nothing until an evening block at 5 PM. That gap is prime time for earning on your phone. I am Beezy is popular among Flex drivers because it requires zero physical effort — you earn $150 to $300 per month viewing videos and content during those between-block hours. Combined with Flex earnings, drivers build a more consistent daily income without relying solely on block availability.
Target Whole Foods blocks for tips
Whole Foods customers tend to be higher-income shoppers who tip more generously. A Whole Foods block that pays $45 base for 2 hours might generate an additional $15 to $25 in tips, pushing your effective rate to $30 to $35 per hour. These blocks are harder to grab, but they are significantly more profitable than standard logistics blocks when you factor in the tips.
Amazon Flex: Frequently Asked Questions
How much can you realistically make per week with Amazon Flex?
Most part-time Flex drivers complete 4 to 6 blocks per week (15 to 25 hours) and earn $300 to $600 before expenses. Full-time drivers who grab 8 to 10 blocks weekly can gross $600 to $1,200. After gas and vehicle costs (roughly $0.25 to $0.35 per mile), your net take-home is typically 65% to 75% of gross pay.
Does Amazon Flex provide benefits?
No. Amazon Flex drivers are independent contractors. You receive no health insurance, no retirement benefits, no paid time off, and no workers compensation. You are responsible for self-employment taxes (15.3%) and your own vehicle insurance. Some drivers pair Flex driving with a part-time W-2 job that provides benefits.
What happens if you cannot finish a block?
If you cannot deliver all packages within the block window, you can return undelivered packages to the warehouse. Amazon does not penalize you for occasional unfinished blocks, but a pattern of incomplete deliveries will lower your standing and reduce your access to future blocks. Communicate any issues through the app immediately.
Is Amazon Flex better than DoorDash or Uber Eats?
Amazon Flex offers more predictable pay (guaranteed hourly rate) and does not depend on tips for base income. DoorDash and Uber Eats have higher earning ceilings in peak markets but also lower floors. Many gig workers do both — Flex blocks for consistent base income and food delivery for high-demand periods when tips boost earnings further.
Is Amazon Flex Right for You?
Amazon Flex is one of the most straightforward gig economy options in 2026. The pay is predictable, the work is simple (pick up packages, deliver them), and you can finish blocks early and still get paid in full. The main challenge is competing for blocks in busy markets. If you can consistently grab 5 or more blocks per week and supplement with phone-based earnings during downtime, Flex provides a reliable income foundation.
Looking to earn between delivery blocks? Sign up for I am Beezy for free and generate extra income from your phone while you wait for the next block to drop. Zero driving, zero expenses — just your cell phone.
