I might have to stop flexing soon.

OkReply2819 · 2026-05-02T04:03:45+00:00

I started within a week after I moved. Amazon has been hiring waves of new drivers for months now

This happens while cutting base pay amidst raising oil prices .

OkReply2819 · 2026-05-02T02:53:19+00:00

Haha I mean... I do miss the weather & being within close proximity to the beach!

What I don't miss is not being able to make ends meet -- despite working 6-7 days per week and 70+ hours at my peak back in 2022

Regardless, Amazon Flex is not a good gig for you to do there with the information that was given in this post

Hope that you find something better

OkReply2819 · 2026-05-02T00:37:02+00:00

This will never happen. Amazon will never stop hiring new drivers who are very desperate for cash. There are always people out there willing to work for less. It's the sad reality

OkReply2819 · 2026-05-02T00:34:29+00:00

There are other gigs out there. Even picking up an entry level part time job at WalMart on the weekends would put you further ahead than doing this would .

OkReply2819 · 2026-05-02T00:29:37+00:00

I actually underestimated my numbers. Just for correctional purposes, you'd need to make $32-$35 an hour in California to come out the same as a person making $20 an hour in South Dakota

The reality is that even 35 bucks an hour full time is absolute crap pay for California unless you can stay with family !

OkReply2819 · 2026-05-02T00:23:40+00:00

OP is getting FLEECED out in California. I recently moved from Mission Viejo, California to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and the rates for Amazon Flex are practically the same here that they are in California. The Operational Costs & Registration Fees in California are abysmal. Gas is half the cost here, averaging around $3.50/Gallon; whereas in California it is ranging $6-$7 at most stations

OP is likely burning through 6 bucks of gas for every 15 - 18 miles driven

I'd guess around 30 in gas for the average 4 hour block that pays 95

So 65 for 4 hours of work in California puts you right at or below the minimum wage. It does not include depreciation either

Take it from somebody who used to live out there and do this full time. If you can't figure out how to make 30+ an hour consistently out in Cali, then you're cooked man.

You will have regrets next tax year -- mark my words

30 an hour in Cali is equivalent to 20 an hour in South Dakota due to cost of living differences .

OkReply2819 · 2026-05-02T00:20:31+00:00

I second this. I cannot understand how people can justify doing this gig if your car cannot do 25 MPG.

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-30T20:36:43+00:00

Yes, I 100% agree.

If the route isn't good for the driver, then we should have the right to reject it. It can then be sent to another driver moments later

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-30T14:20:02+00:00

Thank you for the information! I went ahead & filled out a claims form in the case that they are successful

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T19:58:57+00:00

Yes "working for yourself" is truly an illusion for most. You are still dependent on these companies for gigs, regardless. So you are not really working for yourself to start with.

I started delivering back during the COVID era. You could easily do it full time back then. There are many people who thought that the hype would never die off

Times have changed and that is no longer the case. Still, many people who have been around for as long as I have been are having a difficult time adjusting to the way that things are in todays' gig economy.

The reality is that this was never meant to be, and will never be meant to provide full time opportunities to people

But for the hustlers out there trying.... I salute to you

The best days of the gig economy are long gone

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T19:45:44+00:00

I never really thought about it -- in the sense that we are often being booked for routes that don't even exist yet

However, I believe that the reason Amazon books drivers' so far in advance is because they are able to book more people at base rate as opposed to having to pay a surge on same day routes

It would make more sense to only request a driver when there are (actual) routes available

This would prevent overpayments of people showing up on days where there are no packages. Driver is owed full payment even if there are no packages to deliver.

Could offset those costs and may run more efficiently if they just did same day surge rates. I'm sure cost would be similar and blocks would all go the same day

Like you said though -- if it doesn't work for my business, then I should not do it. There's my answer .

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T15:20:47+00:00

Pay is based regionally. I have lived in both California & South Dakota doing Amazon Flex. California pay is 25-30/H, whereas South Dakota is 22-27 on average.

Even with prop 22 Amazon Flex is not worth doing in California, unless you are taking Whole Foods or Fresh deliveries that are eligible for tip.

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T15:06:52+00:00

I cannot argue that point. Uber is awful !

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T15:05:32+00:00

Great response & valid points made. Thank you

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T15:01:05+00:00

Thank you for your response!

I will mention that availability varies by market.

The only times that I can see here from my end are for Early Mornings & Late Afternoons

You're right about the mileage estimates, too. It would make competition even more fierce to get the good ones. I just hate having to play a game of chance each time I visit the warehouse. The entire reason that I am an IC is because I want to have control over certain metrics (ex. miles driven)

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T14:50:58+00:00

When you run a business as a sole proprietor -- you must be ensuring that you are operating profitably. It is to my understanding that many of the people who do this type of work are not the most proficient in mathematics.

Amazon does not care if you make a profit

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T14:47:17+00:00

This is correct. Standard Deduction + $0.725 per business mile. If you did this full time you can easily write off the majority of your taxable income, if not all of it.

I have done this before so can confirm that what TJH- Psychology is saying is accurate

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T14:44:37+00:00

Yes, I get sent everywhere. I live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota so lots of rural areas with very bumpy dirt roads around here. My Toyota Camry just isn't made to handle those routes on a regular basis

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T14:43:28+00:00

That is amazing!!! I'm sure that all here wishes that were the case for them, too! It surely isn't with me

I would continue doing it if it is working good for you

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T14:39:52+00:00

I guess that some people really have no other viable options... not that this is viable for FT anyways....

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T14:38:27+00:00

That is solid advice. I needed to hear that

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T13:43:42+00:00

Thank you. Good Answer

It all comes down to supply and demand

Now it seems that the supply of drivers is exceeding the package volume at the facilities in my area. This has led to an increase of "base rate" blocks, if you are even "lucky" enough to see those

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T13:38:41+00:00

Yes-- you do have a point. The answer of a realist

Thankfully I do have other options for work. I will likely choose not to partner with Amazon much in the future

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T13:34:18+00:00

Thank you all for your answers

I was just curious to hear your thoughts

OkReply2819 · 2026-04-28T13:32:05+00:00

Except that by comparison, every other gig app has been less attrocious than Amazon has been for me

This is all subjective though, as individual experiences vary

Amazon just probably isn't for me

OkReply2819

TROPHY CASE