Amazon DSP Driver Requirements, Earnings, & More In 2024

Becoming an Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP) driver is a great option if you’re looking for a gig-type job with stable hourly earnings.

As an Amazon DSP driver, you make money driving without having to deal with passengers. Your job starts and ends with picking up packages at local Amazon warehouses and delivering them to customers on schedule.

But what’s Amazon DSP? How do you become a DSP driver? In this article, we’ll explain what working as a DSP driver entails, how the program itself works, and the earning potential. We’ll also go over some pros and cons of the job.

What Is Amazon DSP?

Amazon DSP is an outsourced delivery program launched in 2018 to improve delivery services to local customers.

DSPs are independent third-party franchises contracted by Amazon to deliver packages out of Amazon warehouses.

Each DSP hires and manages its employees, with Amazon providing them with tools, vehicles, and the technology to run successful delivery companies.

How Does Amazon DSP Drivers Work?

As a delivery driver working with an Amazon DSP, you’ll operate an Amazon van to deliver packages to customers and businesses at homes and offices following a preplanned route.

Here’s what your typical workday looks like as a DSP driver:

Arrive at your distribution warehouse at the required time to receive your loaded delivery van and company-provided smartphone/GPS device.

Before you take off, you’ll perform a pre-trip vehicle inspection, thoroughly checking the van for damage and reporting any issue to your manager.

Deliver up to 300+ packages on your route following the delivery instructions on your smartphone/GPS device. The device has a complete route, delivery estimates, locations, and customer information you need.

After delivering all packages, you return the van and the GPS device to the station and debrief with your manager.

There, your employer takes on any undelivered packages to be reprocessed by the Amazon team. They make sure all vehicles are checked, refueled, and prepared for the next day’s trip.

What You Need to Become an Amazon DSP Driver

The requirements vary by DSP. We analyze different job ads on sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter. Here’s what we found most DSPs want from their potential driver:

• You must be at least 21 years old and legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• You must have a valid driver’s license with the state of employment. A non-CDL license is also acceptable.
• You must be computer literate and be able to operate a smartphone/GPS device.
• You must be physically able to load and unload packages (up to 50 lb) to and from the delivery vehicle.
• You must be able to interact with customers in a positive and professional manner.
• You must be ready to work 3-5 days per week, delivering up to 200 or more packages per trip.
• Have a clean criminal and driving record. Some DSPs require drivers to take mandatory drug tests.

How Much Do Amazon DSP Drivers Earn?

The amount you earn as an Amazon driver depends on a number of factors.

First, your compensation is set by the DSP you work with, not Amazon. Each DSP has complete discretion over their employee wages, benefits, and incentives.

Per Amazon, DSP drivers earn at least $20 per hour at select stations. That’s higher than the national minimum wage, which is okay for a job that doesn’t require years of experience.

Based on that average, it means you can earn up to $200 daily or $1,000 weekly if you work 10 hours daily.

Second, due to location constraints, some stations pay more, while some pay less. Drivers in urban areas with higher cost of living earn more than their counterparts in less dense cities with lower cost of living.

According to Indeed, the average salary estimate of Amazon DSP delivery drivers is $19.66 per hour. The data is from around 4,000 self-reported DSP drivers, with wages going as low as $9.35 in some areas and as high as $33.65 in others.

DSP drivers get paid weekly. You receive your earnings via check or direct deposit, whichever you prefer, making it easier to manage your finances.

Pros and Cons of Working as an Amazon DSP Driver

Working as an Amazon DSP driver offers you a great alternative to platforms like Uber and Lyft. But like all other jobs, it has its ups and downs.

Pros

Full-Time Employment Benefits

As a full-time DSP driver, you enjoy perks such as paid time off, maternity leave, and other healthcare benefits. Some DSPs even offer full 401k packages.

You also get paid your normal hourly rate on holidays. On top of that, your wages may increase over time with experience.

Guaranteed Earnings

Unlike other package delivery gigs, you earn a fixed hourly rate as a DSP driver. If you complete all deliveries before your shift hour is over, you’ll get paid for the full hours. Some DSPs also allow you to work overtime to get more earnings.

Besides that, DSP in some cities offers up to $3,000 as sign-up bonuses to new drivers. That said, the offer is only available for new drivers who last worked with another DSP in 13 weeks.

Flexibility

DSPs offer all sorts of employment opportunities you can think of, so it’s easy to find a job that suits your lifestyle. You can either work full-time or part-time with a 4-hour shift.

You can work on a few weeks/months contract. Some DSPs also hire weekend, seasonal, and holiday drivers.

Zero Running Cost

DSP owns and maintains the vehicle you use for delivery, so you can start without owning a vehicle.

Not only that, you don’t have to worry about maintenance costs. They also cover gas, insurance, and other related car expenses, up to parking tickets.

Cons

Labor Intensive

Working as a DSP driver is physically demanding. You have to haul heavy bags and packages across streets and up buildings that sometimes don’t have elevators.

It isn’t the kind of job you can commit to for a long time. That’s why the job has a high turnover rate, and there are always openings. Most DSP drivers quit after working for a few months.

Limited Growth Opportunities

DSPs are small businesses often owned by individual entrepreneurs; there’s no moving up the ladder. If you’re looking for a job with the opportunity of getting promoted one day, the growth opportunity for DSP drivers is limited. The best you can get is a slight pay rise after months of hard work.

You shouldn’t expect job security either. Although rare, there have been cases where Amazon abruptly terminated a DSP contract.

Work in Any Weather

Working as a delivery driver means you have to work in all weathers to ensure customers receive their packages on time.

While some DSPs now hire driver helpers for the delivery, a large percentage still leave you to work by yourself. You’ll be driving and making deliveries regardless of the weather. We’ve seen complaints from Amazon delivery drivers having to pee in bottles to keep up with delivery schedules.

Wrapping Up

You don’t need any delivery driving experience to become an Amazon DSP driver. Before you apply, weigh the pros and cons and make sure you can cope with the physical requirements.

Amazon DSPs are always hiring. You’ll find hundreds of openings for Amazon DSP drivers on job platforms like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, etc.

The program is available in 45 U.S. states, so it’s easy to find a job in your local area.