A few years ago, a close friend of mine listed a few handmade candles on Amazon, never thinking it would turn into more than pocket change. Today, that tiny side hustle helps cover her monthly rent.
Stories like this aren’t rare anymore, and the stats prove it. Today, small and medium-sized businesses make up more than 60% of all sales on Amazon. It’s no wonder so many people search for “How to Make Money on Amazon.”
In this guide, we’ll explore 19 proven ways for 2025, from selling products to earning passive income, that anyone can try at home.
Quick Overview of How to Make Money on Amazon
| Method | Ease of Start | Potential Earnings | Requirements | Time Commitment |
| Niche Product | Medium | $500 – $5,000+/month | Product research, sourcing | Flexible |
| Sell Used Products | Easy | $50 – $1,000+/month | Items to sell, listing skills | Part-time |
| Personalized Products | Medium | $200 – $2,000+/month | Creative skills, materials | Flexible |
| Amazon Handmade | Medium | $200 – $3,000+/month | Handmade items, seller account | Flexible |
| Private Label | Hard | $1,000 – $10,000+/month | Product sourcing, branding | Full-time |
| Wholesale Products | Medium | $500 – $5,000+/month | Bulk buying, storage | Flexible |
| Retail Arbitrage | Easy | $100 – $2,000+/month | Local store deals | Part-time |
| Online Arbitrage | Easy | $100 – $2,000+/month | Online deal finding | Part-time |
| Dropshipping | Medium | $200 – $5,000+/month | Supplier setup, marketing | Flexible |
| Merch on Demand | Easy | $50 – $1,000+/month | Design skills, listings | Part-time |
| Kindle Direct Publishing | Medium | $100 – $3,000+/month | Writing and formatting | Flexible |
| Amazon Live Streaming | Medium | $50 – $2,000+/month | Social skills, audience | Part-time |
| Amazon Services | Medium | $200 – $5,000+/month | Professional skills | Flexible |
| Amazon Affiliate Marketing | Easy | $50 – $5,000+/month | Website/social media | Part-time |
| Amazon Influencer | Medium | $100 – $3,000+/month | Social media presence | Part-time |
| Mechanical Turk | Easy | $120 – $200/week | Computer access, surveys | Flexible |
| Work-from-Home Rep | Medium | $40,000+/year | Customer service/data skills | Full-time |
| Amazon Flex Delivery | Easy | $18 – $25/hour | Vehicle, app | Part-time |
| Fulfillment/Distribution Centers | Medium | $40,000+/year | Physical fitness, reliability | Full-time |
A. How to Make Money with Amazon by Selling Products?
When people start to wonder how to make money on Amazon, most of them find it easier to start with one product or choose between best selling niches on Amazon.
1. Specialize in a Niche or Single Product
This approach lets you concentrate your energy, understand your audience, and test strategies before expanding to more items. Starting with a single product also makes it easier to track performance and make improvements.
2. Sell Used Products
If you are wondering “how to make money on Amazon,” one of the most popular ways is to sell refurbished or used products. On Amazon Renewed, you get to sell used or refurbished products that are almost new. Plus, with Amazon Renewed Guarantee, shoppers know that it is safe to buy these products. Why this works:
- Trust matters: Shoppers feel confident because each product is checked and certified before it’s sold.
- Popular items: You can sell products like phones, cameras, and power tools that are very popular.
- Save money: You don’t need brand-new stock, which keeps your upfront costs low.
Selling refurbished products is an easy way to make money from items that still work well, while also winning repeat customers who trust you.
3. Create and Sell Personalized Products
People love buying things that feel special, like adding their own name, logo, or favorite design. With Amazon Custom, you can sell items such as engraved jewelry, embroidered hats, printed mugs, or even painted decor.
Since these products are one-of-a-kind, shoppers are usually happy to pay a little more for them. Here are some tips sellers have found helpful:
- Sell items people actually love to personalize (like mugs, hats, or jewelry).
- Give your shoppers the option to customize their options
- Use product photos that are clear and show details.
Personalized products are a smart way to boost your sales on Amazon and shine among others.
4. Handcrafted Products Through Amazon Handmade
Do you enjoy sewing, woodworking, painting, or jewelry-making? Your hobby can become a real business with Amazon Handmade. This program is designed for creators who want to share unique, handcrafted goods with a wider audience.
Instead of competing with mass-produced items, Handmade lets you reach customers searching for authentic, one-of-a-kind products.
5. Launch Your Own Private Label Brand
Right now, nearly 54% of sellers choose private label products as their main way to grow on Amazon, making it one of the most popular and effective methods out there. It’s not hard; all you need to do is pick a product that already exists, improve it if you can, add your own brand and logo, and then start selling.
The best part is that Amazon’s FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) takes care of storing, packing, and shipping. This way, your product will reach customers faster. Here’s why private label is a great choice:
- Your brand, your rules: With this method, you can pick your packaging and product details.
- Grow easily: After selling your first product, you can add more items under the same brand.
- Make good money: Many sellers make thousands of dollars every month by using this method.
Potential Earnings: Most Amazon private label sellers make at least $1,000 a month, while the top sellers can earn over $100,000 monthly. About 40% of sellers make between $1,000 and $25,000 each month, which adds up to $12,000–$300,000 a year.
6. Sell Wholesale Products on Amazon
The other great way to earn money with Amazon is Wholesale selling. It means buying a large amount of products and selling them on Amazon. Obviously, you’re selling items from another brand, so you don’t need to have one yourself or create the products. Here is what you should do:
- Buy in bulk: You should start by getting lots of products from a wholesaler or manufacturer.
- Sell for profit: List and sell them on Amazon and earn on the difference.
- Ship your way: use Amazon FBA to handle shipping or do it yourself.
Wholesale selling can be a great way to make money on Amazon if you know where to get products and how to price them right.
7. Try Retail Arbitrage
If you are looking for an easy way to make money with Amazon, you should know about retail arbitrage. All you need to do is find retail stores like Walmart or Target to find products on sale and sell them on Amazon to earn more. Here’s why it works:
- Fast start, low cost
- Products are easy to source
- Immediate sales potential
Earnings potential: Around 21% of sellers make $5,000+ per month, with profit margins over 20% for 25% of sellers. Retail arbitrage takes patience and persistence, but it’s a proven way to make money on Amazon.
8. Try Online Arbitrage
Another great way is Online arbitrage, which means getting products from online stores and selling them on Amazon. But unlike retail arbitrage, you don’t have to buy your products just from the local shops; you can shop from eBay, CVS, and more. Here is why it can be a great idea:
- You don’t need to go to stores; you can shop from anywhere you are.
- Lots of products to choose from that can make money.
- It’s easy to start with little money and work on your own schedule.
Earnings potential: Now, about 19% of sellers who use this method make $5,000–$10,000 a month, and 12% of them earn about $10,000–$25,000. The profit you can make depends on how smart you can shop.
9. Sell Without Holding Inventory by Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a way to sell on Amazon without ever having to keep products in stock yourself. This way, you can work with a supplier, like a manufacturer or a wholesaler, who will take care of the hard parts of the process, like storing, packing, and shipping.
All you need to do is list the products online, wait until the customers order them, and then the supplier sends the products directly to them. It means that you can run a store without handling any inventory or shipping.
Earnings: You should know that more than 25% of dropshippers make $1,000–$5,000 per month. Profit is usually between 16% and 20% in this method. But your income depends on the products you pick and how much people like them.
10. Merch on Demand
Merch on Demand is one of the most interesting and fun ways to make money on Amazon. You sell custom products like mugs, tote bags, shirts, and even more.
All you need to do is upload your design with a price, and when someone orders it, Amazon will take care of printing and shipping. Plus, you can earn between 13% and 37% based on your product’s price.
If you ever wondered “how to make money on TikTok,” you should know this is one of the ways. You can combine “Merch on Demand” with creative content in TikTok by sharing your designs with your audience. A lot of sellers use TikTok to reach more people and drive them to their Amazon Merch listings.
B. How Can You Make Money with Digital Content on Amazon?
You can make money with digital content on Amazon by creating and selling ebooks or printables through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), by earning commissions as an affiliate marketer through the Amazon Associates Program, or by selling your content as a creator through the Amazon Influencer Program.
11. Publish Books with Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
With KDP, you can publish your own books in either digital or print format. You don’t have to stick to just novels or non-fiction; lots of people create simple books too, like journals, planners, coloring books, and even word-search books.
If you’ve been wondering how to make money on Amazon with little to no risk, KDP is one of the best ways to start. Look into beginner-friendly guides, publish your first book, and see how quickly you can get your ideas out into the world.
12. Become an Amazon Live Streamer
Amazon Live lets you host livestreams, showcase products, announce launches, and answer questions directly from your audience. A lot of sellers try this way because it’s a fun method to connect with your audience while promoting your products. Here is why you should try it out:
- Real-time engagement
- Build trust
- Drive sales
If you have ever learned about “how to make money on YouTube,” Just know that it is a big help. Having skills like engaging with the audience and keeping your energy high can help you a lot in Amazon Live.
13. Offer Services on Amazon Services
If you want to know how to make money with Amazon, you should know that you sell your services as well as your product. By using Amazon Services, you can find people who need exactly what you are offering. Whether you’re a plumber, a piano teacher, a babysitter, or another provider, you can reach customers with Amazon. Here is why you need to try this way:
- Flexible timing and income: You can take control back. You will have your own rates and work on a schedule that is better for you.
- Room to grow: Even though there’s competition, with the right services, you can grow your business surprisingly fast.
- Built-in exposure: You have Amazon’s help for marketing. That means it’s easier for new clients to find you.
It’s a smart way to turn your skills into income while letting Amazon do some of the heavy lifting when it comes to reaching customers.
C. How to Make Money on Amazon Without Selling Products?
Lots of people think selling products is the only way to make money on Amazon, but actually there are several non-selling paths you can take. Here are the main ones:
14. Earn Passive Income with Amazon Affiliate Marketing
If you’ve ever wondered “how to make money with Amazon at home”, one of the easiest ways is through Amazon Associates, which is an affiliate program. With this method, you don’t need to sell your own products. Here is what you should do:
- You start by sharing Amazon links on your blogs, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
- Then, when someone clicks and orders the product, you earn up to 10% commission.
When people search “how to make money with Amazon for free,” they find the answer in affiliate marketing, and here is why:
- No inventory stress: It’s not your product, which is why you don’t need to think about storing or shipping.
- Flexible platforms: To promote these products, you can use Blog, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or even Pinterest; it depends on you and your audience.
- Scalable: Based on the time you invest in affiliate marketing, you will earn money. Some affiliates make a few hundred dollars per month, while the best ones earn a lot more.
Why Sellers and Affiliates Use AlgoRift
If you are looking for a brand to make affiliate marketing easier, you should know more about AlgoRift. AlgoRift is a bridge between Amazon brands and affiliates. It helps sellers find affiliates to sell their products and gives affiliates some tools to manage promotions and make the process easier.
- For sellers: If you are a seller, you can create custom affiliate programs and offer flexible commissions to boost your sales.
- For affiliates: You get higher commission with AlgoRift, build landing pages more easily with its tools, and have reports to track your performance.
- Free to start: AlgoRift has a free plan, so you can test it before making your decision.
In short, AlgoRift removes the hassle and makes the whole “how to make money with affiliate marketing” pathway easier, whether you’re just starting or ready to grow.
15. Become an Amazon Influencer
You have probably heard people ask, “How to make money on Amazon by reviewing products?”. You can tell them that the Amazon Influencer Program is one of the best ways now. You can share your thoughts and earn commissions when people buy after seeing your content. Here is what you can do:
- Build a following on any channel you and your audience like better.
- Start creating content like product reviews, share your links, or make short videos.
- Then you can earn commissions from 1% to 20% per sale, depending on the product.
The best part is that even a few hundred followers can be enough if they are the right audience for your content. So if you are trying to understand how to make money on Instagram, you know the answer now.
You can make a lot if you put in the right amount of time. Some influencers make a few hundred dollars a month, while the best ones make thousands.
So if you’ve been asking yourself how to make money as an influencer or even how to make money on Amazon reviews, this program is the answer.
16. Join Mechanical Turk for Micro-Tasks
One of the best ways to make money on Amazon is through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). This will connect you with small online tasks called HITs (Human Intelligence Tasks). These tasks can include:
- Data validation and entry
- Online surveys
- Research tasks
- Content moderation
Even though it sounds super high-tech, MTurk is really powered by people, not AI. It’s an easy way to make money from home if you just want simple, low-stress tasks and don’t feel like selling products.
Earnings: Most workers report making $6 to $10 per hour, which adds up to $120–$200 for a 20-hour week.
17. Work from Home as an Amazon Rep
Amazon offers real work-from-home jobs where you’re officially part of the company. These roles are usually things like customer service, data entry, or supporting Amazon sellers and teams.
You work remotely on your computer, get paid by the hour, and since Amazon’s starting wage is $19, full-time employees can make around $40,000 a year or more.
To apply, you just need to search for Amazon remote jobs online or check the Amazon Jobs site, fill out an application, and wait to hear back. It’s one of the most straightforward ways to earn a steady income from home.
18. Deliver Goods for Amazon
With Amazon Flex, you can make money using your own car! It works like Uber but for Amazon deliveries. Here is how you can start:
- Fill out a quick sign-up form
- Download the Amazon Flex app
- If approved, start delivering right away
Earnings: Drivers usually make about $18–$25 an hour, and most shifts last around five hours.
19. Work at Amazon Fulfillment or Distribution Centers
Amazon’s fulfillment centers are huge warehouses where workers help keep everything running. They pick and pack orders, store products, and make sure shipments go out on time.
What to know:
- Pay is about $20 an hour (around $40,000 a year if full-time)
- Full-time jobs come with benefits
- The work is hands-on, moving and organizing products to keep things flowing smoothly.
Find the Right Way to Make Money on Amazon
You can find a lot of answers to “How to make money on Amazon”. But if you are wondering which one to choose, you should know that it depends on your interests and resources. Whether you’re looking for a full-time job or a side hustle, you can find an option on Amazon. If you have enough patience, you can earn a lot from Amazon.
Questions Our Readers Ask Most
1. Is a business license required to begin selling on Amazon?
Not always. Lots of people start selling as individuals. But if you want to grow big, a license can make things smoother, like handling taxes, payments, and even opening a separate bank account for your business.
2. How much time do I need each week to make money on Amazon?
It really depends on what you choose. Gig-style options like Amazon Flex or Mechanical Turk can take just a few hours a week. Selling products or running an affiliate site might take 10–20 hours at the beginning, but once it’s rolling, it usually takes less time.
3. Can I actually earn a full-time income from Amazon, or is it just side cash?
It depends on what you’re doing. Bigger paths like private label selling, being an Amazon Influencer, or Amazon Flex have the potential to replace a 9–5. Smaller things like surveys or Mechanical Turk are usually better for extra pocket money.