Amazon is most people’s first choice when it comes to online shopping. From its beginnings as an online book retailer, Amazon has grown into a multibillion-dollar internet-based company with millions of customers.
With more and more people choosing Amazon as their one-stop online shop for just about anything, the demand for Amazon truck drivers has skyrocketed like never before.
As a result, truck driving for Amazon has become a viable career option for many people in the e-commerce industry.
Contrary to what many think, being a delivery truck driver for Amazon has juicy perks and is not all work and no benefit.
If you’re considering exploring a career as an Amazon truck driver, keep reading to find out everything there is to know about the salary of an Amazon truck driver and how to become one.
What Is the Job of an Amazon Truck Driver?
Amazon truck driver jobs are increasing as the company’s customer base expands. Regardless of how insignificant you believe the role of an Amazon truck driver is, they do far more than drive trucks.
From light to heavy, these delivery truck drivers play an important role in ensuring that Amazon packages are delivered to customers safely and on time. To make this a reality, they are tasked with the following duties, among others:
- Ensuring that all customer orders, large or small, are delivered safely and on time to the correct location.
- Keeping customers updated on the delivery process, including any issues that may arise.
- Maintaining an accurate record of delivery logs and paperwork.
- Delivering packages and shipments of all sizes within a local region or city.
- Loading and unloading their shipment.
- Making certain that their truck is always clean and in good working order.
How Much do Amazon Truck Drivers Make?
The truth is that there’s no hard-and-fast rule about how much Amazon truck drivers make.
Actual earnings are based on a variety of factors, such as location, tips received, and the time it takes you to complete your deliveries.
However, the average salary of Amazon truck drivers ranges between $59,452 and $98,571 per year.
Amazon Truck Driver Job Requirements
Believe it or not, not just anyone can fit into the role of an Amazon truck driver, not even someone who already drives a truck.
To become an Amazon delivery driver, you must have the following requirements:
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
To operate commercial motor vehicles in the United States, you must have a commercial driver’s license. Driving for Amazon is no different.
These CDLs are classified into classes A, B, and C, and they differ in what they allow you to drive as well as endorsements for specialized vehicle qualifications.
While class A vehicles include tanker vehicles, semi trucks, and truck and trailer combinations, class B and C vehicles include buses, straight trucks, tank trucks, and dump trucks with small trailers.
Although any CDL is acceptable, having a class A or B CDL allows you to take both long-distance and regional jobs.
Education
Because truck drivers will be interacting with customers, Amazon requires them to be able to read and speak English for safety purposes and also have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
This is not to say that Amazon truck drivers do not have higher education. Some have advanced in their careers by obtaining a higher education, such as an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree.
Clean Driving Record
Amazon prioritizes safety when delivering packages and expects its truck drivers to do the same. To ensure this safety, Amazon truck drivers must have a clean driving record, covering everything from following all traffic laws to having excellent driving skills.
Training
To become an Amazon truck driver, you must complete training covering everything from understanding the company’s policies and procedures to operating vehicles and having in-depth knowledge of the products they offer.
Skills Required As An Amazon Truck Driver
To succeed as an Amazon truck driver, you must have certain skills that will make your job easier and more effective. Some of these skills include the following:
Customer Service Skills
You must have great customer service skills to be able to interact with customers in a professional yet friendly manner.
Sales Skills
Aside from simply delivering packages, you should have good sales skills in order to market new products to customers.
Driving Skills
Because your job requires you to be on the road, you should be at the top of your driving game. This is where your excellent driving ability comes into play, along with proper hand-to-eye coordination.
Maths Skills
Because you may be tasked with handling payments, you should be skilled in math. This will allow you to count cash and make change more quickly and accurately.
Amazon Truck Driving Jobs
There are primarily two job options if you want to drive for Amazon in some capacity. They are as follows:
Amazon Flex
With Amazon Flex, you can use your car to deliver packages for extra cash with the flexibility of working only when you want to, hence the name “flex.”
Amazon Flex takes pride in being the driving force that gets you closer to your financial goals, whether you’re a family man or a student in need of extra cash. Regardless, all you have to do is download the Amazon Flex app, tap on an upcoming offer that meets your needs, and tap “schedule.”
To see only the offers you want, tap “filter” in the upper left corner of your screen and set your filters for times of day and offers that are suitable for you. Once this is done, tap “see results” to see your favourite offers.
Amazon DSP
Compared to Amazon Flex, Amazon DSP is a better fit for those looking for something more long-term and full-time.
As a driver with an Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP), you are provided with a delivery vehicle, so you don’t have to use yours. Aside from that, you can expect a full-time schedule with 40 hours of work per week, full benefits, and competitive pay.
Bottom Line
Exploring the e-commerce logistics industry is a profitable idea, especially given the rapid growth of online shopping around the world. With more and more people choosing Amazon as their go-to shopping platform, now would be a great time to explore a career as an Amazon truck driver.
Once you have the necessary requirements, skills, and knowledge of the Amazon logistics scene, you’re only a few steps away from bagging a job as a truck driver for Amazon.