10 Smart Ways to Make Money on Amazon in 2025 (Even If You Don’t Want to Sell Anything)

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 If you’ve ever added something to your Amazon cart and thought, “Wow, I wish I could make money from this site instead of spending on it,”—good news: you can.

Amazon isn’t just a shopping site anymore. It’s a massive digital economy where everyday people—students, creators, drivers, even crafters—can earn real income. The trick? Picking the right path, learning the rules, and putting in consistent effort.

I’ve personally helped a few small sellers set up their Amazon stores, and one thing’s clear: it’s not “get rich quick,” but it is “get paid steadily” if you treat it like a business.

So, let’s break down how to make money on Amazon in 2025—whether you want to sell products, design T-shirts, deliver packages, or earn commissions online.

🛒 1. Sell Products on Amazon

The most popular way to earn on Amazon is still the good old “sell-something” route. Thankfully, you don’t have to invent a new gadget to start—there are several simple models that work.

Retail Arbitrage: The Treasure Hunt Side Hustle

Retail arbitrage is like playing “discount detective.” You buy products on sale from local stores (like Walmart or Target) and resell them on Amazon for a higher price.

It works best for people who love finding deals and understand market trends. However, you’ll need to follow Amazon’s reselling rules carefully. Some brands require invoices or documentation to prove authenticity.

💡 Pro tip: Always calculate your potential profit after Amazon fees and shipping costs before buying bulk stock. Otherwise, you’ll end up with 200 packs of socks and no profit.

Wholesale: Go Big or Go Home

In wholesale, you buy directly from brands or manufacturers at discounted rates and resell in bulk. This model takes more capital but offers better margins and scalability.

Search for “[brand name] + wholesale” to find partners. Many sellers build long-term relationships with suppliers to get exclusive deals.

Example: Maria, a mom from Texas, started buying eco-friendly cleaning products wholesale. In two years, she turned her $2,000 startup fund into a steady $5,000/month business on Amazon.

Amazon Handmade: Etsy’s Professional Cousin

If you’re a craftsperson, Amazon Handmade is a great alternative to Etsy. You can sell handmade jewelry, clothes, toys, or decor.

You’ll go through a short approval process to prove your items are genuinely handmade. Once accepted, Amazon takes a 15% referral fee per sale.

Example: James, a woodworker from Oregon, sells handmade cutting boards through Amazon Handmade. He says the exposure on Amazon doubled his sales compared to Etsy.

Merch on Demand: Create Once, Earn Forever

Designers and digital artists can earn passive income through Amazon Merch on Demand. You upload your artwork, pick the product (T-shirts, hoodies, mugs), and Amazon prints, ships, and handles customer service.

You earn royalties for each sale—no inventory, no stress.

Example: Lisa, a graphic designer, uploaded 50 T-shirt designs in 2023. Two of them went viral on TikTok and now bring in around $600 a month—all passive income.

📦 2. Fulfillment: FBA vs. FBM (Which One’s Right for You?)

Amazon offers two main ways to handle shipping. Here’s how they compare:

Feature	Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA)	Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM)
Who ships	Amazon handles it	You handle it
Storage	Amazon’s warehouse	Your home or private space
Customer service	Amazon manages it	You manage it
Fees	Higher (storage + handling)	Lower
Best for	Busy sellers, scaling up	Small sellers, personalized products

FBA is perfect if you want Amazon to do the heavy lifting (literally). They store, pack, ship, and even handle returns. But fees can add up, especially for bulky products.

FBM keeps costs down, but you handle everything yourself—shipping, tracking, and customer service. Great for handmade or unique items.

💰 3. Seller Setup and Fees: Know Before You Go

Amazon offers two main selling plans:

• Individual Plan — Pay $0.99 per sale, great for beginners.

• Professional Plan — Pay $39.99/month, ideal for higher volume sellers.

Plus, you’ll pay referral fees between 8%–15% depending on category. And don’t forget taxes: you’re self-employed, so you’ll likely owe quarterly income tax on your profits.

📚 Helpful source: Check Amazon Seller Central for the latest fees and tax info.

💡 4. Make Money on Amazon Without Selling

If the thought of managing inventory or shipping gives you stress sweats, relax—there are several ways to earn on Amazon without selling a single thing.

Amazon Associates: The Affiliate Power Play

If you have a blog, YouTube channel, or even a TikTok account, you can earn through Amazon Associates.

Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up for the program.

2. Share Amazon product links in your content.

3. Get paid a commission (1%–20%) every time someone buys through your link.

Example: Alex runs a tech YouTube channel reviewing gadgets. His Amazon affiliate links now bring in $1,200/month—just from people clicking his “buy now” links.

Amazon Flex: Deliver and Earn Fast

With Amazon Flex, you can become a delivery driver for Amazon. All you need is a driver’s license, a mid-size car, and some hustle.

Drivers typically earn $18–$25/hour, according to Amazon. You set your schedule, making it a flexible gig for students or part-timers.

Example: Tina, a nursing student, drives for Amazon Flex on weekends. She uses the extra $300 a week to cover textbooks and coffee—lots of coffee.

Mechanical Turk: Microtasks for Quick Cash

Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) pays you to complete small online tasks that computers can’t easily do—like labeling images, categorizing data, or transcribing short audio clips.

It’s not huge money (think $5–$15/day), but it’s great for spare-time income.

Note: Always read task reviews on forums like r/mturk to avoid low-paying or repetitive tasks.

🧭 5. Picking the Right Path

Not every Amazon side hustle fits every lifestyle. Here’s a quick guide:

Goal	Best Option
You love deals & reselling	Retail Arbitrage
You want to scale a brand	Wholesale
You’re crafty	Amazon Handmade
You’re creative	Merch on Demand
You’re a content creator	Amazon Associates
You prefer flexible work	Amazon Flex
You just want quick online tasks	Mechanical Turk

🏁 Conclusion: Start Small, Stay Consistent

Making money on Amazon in 2025 isn’t about luck—it’s about picking one method, learning the ropes, and being consistent. Whether you’re crafting handmade jewelry, reviewing tech on YouTube, or delivering packages, Amazon gives you real ways to earn if you treat it seriously.

The best part? You don’t need a big budget to start—just your time, creativity, and willingness to learn.

If you’re ready to begin your Amazon income journey, start by choosing one of the methods above and give it 30 days of effort. You might be surprised how quickly those small wins add up.

💬 What about you? Have you tried any of these Amazon side hustles? Share your experience or question in the comments below—I’d love to hear how it’s going!