How much do Instacart drivers make? What are the pros and cons of DoorDash? If you’ve been wondering about issues like these for Instacart vs. DoorDash, you’re not alone. Whether you’re starting your first driving gig, or considering a switch, knowing what these two popular services have to offer is crucial. In this blog post, we’ll cover the territory, including

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Instacart vs. DoorDash: Main differences

The gig economy and the services it offers to consumers and workers are in a state of constant flux. There was a time when stark distinctions could be drawn regarding what the different companies required of drivers, but those days are behind us.

These two companies are a case in point. Instacart is, for the most part, a grocery delivery service, as you can read in this article from Millenial Money Man. There are options to deliver groceries only, shop and deliver groceries, or stay in a store and do the shopping and packing, preparing the items for a driver to deliver. Instacart is diversifying. Read about the company’s foray into prepared food delivery in this Gridwise blog post. You’ll find that the deliveries involve prepared foods found in grocery stores.

DoorDash is mainly a prepared food delivery service. You will most often be called to various restaurants to pick up meals and deliver them to customers. However, there will be times when you’ll be asked to go to stores and pick up items, pay for them with your DoorDash-issued red card, and take them to customers. Yes, that means Dashers may have to do some shopping. Read more about the DoorDash driving gig in this post from EntreCourier.

While the lines between the two companies are somewhat blurred, you’ll find that there’s less shopping when working for DoorDash than with Instacart. This Gridwise post gives you information on how to be a DoorDash delivery driver. Those who choose Instacart have the options that are more oriented toward shopping, but can possibly find gigs that don’t involve anything besides driving and delivery. Learn more about the details of driving for Instacart in this Gridwise blog post.

Now let’s look at each service and what they have to offer.

What you need to know about Instacart delivery driving

How much do Instacart shoppers make? What’s the job really like? How easy is it to earn money with Instacart? Is Instacart worth it?These are just some of the questions you might have about becoming a shopper/driver for this popular grocery delivery service. Here are some answers, plus an easy comparison table that lays out the good and bad points for you.

Instacart full-service shoppers, according to Gridwise data, make around $15–16 per hour. Instacart in-store shoppers, who are part-time employees of the company, make an average of $14 per hour. The total amount you make working for Instacart will depend, obviously, on how many hours you work for them, how many batches are available, and what times of day you decide to schedule your blocks, but it’s a hustle.

What do Instacart Shoppers do?

The job itself, as you might guess, will involve some or all facets of grocery shopping, packing, and/or delivery. You will need to be able to manage the weight of the packages. as well as carry them from the store to your vehicle. Then you’ll need to convey them to the customer’s delivery destination. You will also be asked to find everything on your customer’s list, and if you can’t find an item, you’ll consult with them about possible substitutes.

Instacart earnings

Instacart earnings are consistent, and don’t show signs of declining. People have adopted the habit of shopping online for their groceries with Instacart, and you’re quite likely to notice a steady flow of business at all times of the year. Shoppers average around $16.50 per trip before tips, which is really pretty solid.

Instacart driver tip rates

Tips are pretty good with Instacart, too. The average shopper received about $6.50 in tips per trip. A hidden bonus about getting tips is that it’s an area you can always work on. Get inspiration from this Gridwise post, which tells you how to make $1000 per week with Instacart.

Instacart requires some people skills

Shopping and driving for Instacart is a reliable gig, but it’s best for those who like to hustle, and do it with a smile. Many drivers switch to grocery delivery from rideshare, hoping to get a break from the demands of dealing with their passengers. Shopping for people, or even just driving and delivering, is a little bit less stressful, to be sure. There are situations, though, that can create some frustrations. Finicky customers, grumpy grocery store workers, and difficulties dealing with other drivers create the need to use your customer service skills and take traffic snarls and bad drivers in your stride.

The pros and considerations of Instacart delivery driving

Let’s look at what life as an Instacart shopper is like in a nutshell:

Instacart ProsInstacart ConsiderationsWork is consistent; hours are flexible.Pay can be lower in comparison.Ability to choose blocks of time to work.Requirement to work a minimum of two consecutive hours; scheduling is required ahead of time.Job offers variety.Potentially too many tasks associated with each order.Lots of short-lived contact with other humans—and possibilities for big tips!Challenging interactions can stem from contact with surly people in the store, traffic madness, and nasty customers.Company innovating with food delivery and nano-fulfillment.New company practices could create more demands on shoppers and drivers.Bonuses offered for high performance, sign-on and referrals; some extra pay for peak orders.Fee for instant cashout.Company constantly improving its app and method of payment. Recently increased minimum earnings per batch.Complicated (and not very transparent) payment algorithm.

What you need to know about Doordash delivery driving

DoorDash calls its delivery drivers “Dashers,” and for good reason. The job consists of getting requests for deliveries, traveling to food establishments (and sometimes stores) to retrieve them, and delivering them to the customers. The job is fairly simple and doesn’t require much work on the “supply side,” apart from when the shopping part kicks in.

The Dasher job does require customer service savvy and a bit of patience, as you’ll need to deal with occasional delays. Always communicate with your customers to keep them up to date on where you are and how long they might have to wait.

DoorDash is expanding its services to include delivery of convenience items, and this side of the business could continue to expand. Before long, shopping could be as much a part of a Dasher’s job as it is for Instacart workers, which can be exciting and rewarding for Dashers.

How much does Doordash pay?

Dasher gross hourly pay runs between $15 and $16, according to data collected by Gridwise. This includes the basic delivery fee, peak pay, challenges, and promotions for drivers. Your total earnings will depend, of course, on how many hours you drive for DoorDash, how busy you are during the time you’re delivering, and what bonuses might be in effect during your shift.

Because hourly pay for DoorDash can vary to such a great degree, it can be tricky to choose the best times to work. 

How much does Doordash tip?

Tips are the norm rather than the exception for Dashers, averaging around $4.28 per trip. Because a Dasher could make as many as three or four trips per hour, that can add up, which is pretty decent. Dashers need to invest in equipment such as beverage carriers and thermal bags if they expect to keep their customers happy, and earn big tips.

What else should you know about Doordash?

Most Dashers love the flexibility DoorDash offers. It’s possible to schedule blocks of time in advance or to operate under “Dash Now,” which will let you pick up and deliver orders on demand, whenever you wish. Also, Dashers have the option of declining orders that don’t seem to be worth the trouble. 

The DoorDash app does a good job of informing drivers where the most business is and incentivizes them to work in busier areas offering more pay per order. Although this isn’t the most glamorous or high-paying gig, DoorDash drivers who learn how to work the gig to their advantage can easily pull in enough money to make a good living.

The pros and considerations of DoorDash delivery driving

Just like we did for Instacart, let’s look at the pros and cons of DoorDash delivery driving at a glance.

The pros of being a DasherThe considerations of being a DasherFlexible hours; can choose whether to accept orders.Variable demand. Weekly pay; high fee for instant cash out.More focus on delivery and less on shopping means more trips per hour and potentially more money.Lots of driving from one place to the next could lead to higher gas costs and more vehicle wear and tear.The “thrill of the chase” can arise from knowing where to go and when to make the most money.Requires some hustle, particularly in areas that don’t have restaurants with big money orders.No passengers and only limited interaction with others.Waiting at restaurants and constantly communicating with customers, so they don’t get impatient or blame you for delays.Company diversifying with delivery of non-prepared food items.Possible need to learn the art of speedily shopping for convenience and grocery items.Bonuses and incentives for peak pay, challenges, and promotions.Comparatively low pay for a lot of intense, fast-paced work.Well-established, popular company.The popularity of DoorDash leads  to competition with other Dashers for delivery business..

Instacart or DoorDash? Which is your better gig?

There’s no way to ignore the fact that Instacart pay and DoorDash earnings are less than stellar, but if you fit either of these gigs into your work schedule, you’ll have some solid sources of income. Choosing the gig that’s best for you involves being honest about what you’re willing to do, what your preferences are, and how much you need to work.

Both Instacart and DoorDash demand a lot from drivers. If you’re an Instacart full-service shopper, you’re guaranteed to be spending a lot of time navigating your way through grocery stores to select items. Working for DoorDash requires a lot more quick action, and much more running around from place to place.

For now, though, much of the difference between the two companies, and whether you might want to work with them, revolves around how much you like to shop. If you want a more leisurely but less income-intensive and part-time gig, Instacart would probably win out over DoorDash. If you want to make more money in less time and have the option of working exactly when you want, your best bet is to be a Dasher.

You can also try multi-apping

Before you make a decision, though, consider this third option. Multi-apping, as you’ll read in this Gridwise post, is the art of working more than one gig at a time, and it’s a growing trend among gig workers. You could Dash at peak meal times, and do Instacart in the evenings and on weekends, when most people like to place and receive their grocery orders. And, if you really want to mix it up, you could throw some rideshare driving into the mix!

There are so many options in today’s gig economy, but there’s one thing you’ll need no matter how you choose to cobble your gig together—Gridwise!

Gridwise gives you everything you need to put together a great driving gig, including

• a mileage tracker that accounts for every mile you drive on your gig
• traffic and weather alerts that keep you abreast of driving conditions
• seamless earnings tracker lets you sync and let Gridwise do the work
• expense recording to make sure you get all your deductions down
• informative graphs showing earnings and expenses for all the gig apps you use to see where you’re making them most money
• insight into when to drive and where to drive so you can make the most of your gig driving time
• access to affordable insurance to keep you covered
• deals and discounts for drivers, such as the cost-savings of Gridwise Gas
• a community of like-minded gig workers who supply pro tips and support

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Find out more about Instacart, DoorDash, and Gridwise in these articles from the Gridwise blog:

• How much do doordashers make? We uncover it.
• Earn by time with DoorDash
• The Ultimate Guide to being an Instacart shopper
• Make $1000 per week with DoorDash
• Make $1000 per week with Instacart

Download the Gridwise app!

What’s the deal with Postmates? Is it still around? Wondering how to become a driver for Postmates? We’ve got some important news you’ll need before you set out to work with the Postmates delivery app, and we’ll cover it all in this post, including:

• What is Postmates, and who owns Postmates?
• What app do you use as a Postmates driver?
• What are the requirements for Postmates drivers?
• How can you streamline your gig driving experience?

What is Postmates, and who owns Postmates?

Postmates is a delivery service that allows customers to order prepared food, groceries, convenience items, dry goods, and even flowers. Orders are placed through the Postmates app, but they are no longer fulfilled by Postmates drivers.

Uber acquired Postmates in December 2020 for $2.65 million. Over a transition period of several months, Uber incorporated the fulfillment of Postmates orders into Uber Eats. With Postmates now owned by Uber, customers still order from Postmates, but the deliveries are executed by Uber Eats drivers. 

Is Postmates and Uber Eats the same? On the customer side, Postmates’ appearance hasn’t changed, but in fact, Uber has migrated everything but the user-facing web page and branding to Uber Eats. For restaurants and drivers, Postmates and Uber Eats are very much the same. Given these facts, if you want to know how to become a Postmates driver, you’ll need to work with the Uber Eats app.

What app do you use as a Postmates driver?

Uber allowed qualified drivers to continue delivering for Postmates via Uber Eats, but the Postmates Fleet app for drivers was phased out July 2021. 

It’s still possible to go to your app store and search for the Postmates Fleet app, but this is the screen that will appear:

You can sign up at this time through Uber and, possibly, make deliveries ordered through the Postmates app. If you were a Postmates driver in the past, you could/should have used a link in that app which allowed you to automatically migrate your account to Uber Eats. More about that will be detailed in the next section.

If you would like to know more about how to use the Uber Eats app, check out this Gridwise post, which provides essential details.

There is still an app for Postmates customers. It provides them with access to all the things they always loved about the Postmates user experience. But their delivery drivers will now be part of Uber Eats.

What are the requirements for Postmates drivers?

One of the more frustrating things for former Postmates drivers has been the differences between the requirements for Postmates vs. Uber Eats. Postmates drivers went through background checks, but they were not as stringent as those required by Uber. Uber Eats conducts a more thorough criminal background check and disqualifies drivers with recent major violations or several small violations. If former Postmates drivers couldn’t pass these checks, they were unable to drive for Uber Eats.

All drivers, whether formerly part of the Postmates Fleet or not, must meet the following qualifications to work with Uber Eats:

Source: Gridwise Post:Delivery Driver Guide: Using the Uber Eats app

Note that it’s possible to deliver for Uber Eats on foot, or by bicycle and scooter in many locations. This expands opportunities for many Uber Eats food and package couriers.

For those drivers who used to be part of the Postmates Fleet and were able to qualify for Uber Eats, the migration process was easy and fair. All the trips that counted toward their rewards were migrated and shown in their Uber accounts, once they linked them. Completed Uber deliveries got added to the lifetime total of completed Postmates trips.

Some other information, including trip details and 1099 tax documents for 2020, was available from the Postmates app only. Drivers would have needed to recover them prior to August 9, 2021.

If you want to know how to work Postmates, you can hope to deliver for some of their customers through your Uber Eats orders. If you were once a Postmates Fleet member and haven’t checked out the changes, Uber’s FAQ page detailing migration from Postmates issues provides a wide range of information for former Postmates drivers. 

How can you streamline your gig driving experience?

There are some gig drivers who are happy about the merger between Postmates and Uber Eats. Additional deliveries came in for those Uber Eats drivers, and Postmates workers probably found more opportunities and restaurants available once Postmates became part of Uber Eats. Marrying the two companies allowed many drivers to reduce the hassle of working with more than one app at a time, too.

Multi-apping is also a great way to make the most of your time while you’re driving. You can still do this working with Uber Eats and another delivery app, such as DoorDash, Shipt, or Instacart. But, since you will have the challenge of tracking your earnings, expenses, and mileage on each of the apps you use, you’ll need to find a way to streamline your gig driving experience.

Boost your earnings

Boost your earnings while you consolidate all your gig driving activities—with Gridwise! The best-ever app for gig drivers has everything you need to keep an account of essential information for every bit of your driving! 

Simply start tracking with Gridwise the moment you start your shift. Gridwise will log every mile you drive, including the distance you cover between rides. None of your driving apps let you capture these valuable, deductible miles!

Keep an accurate account of your earnings for all your apps by syncing your driving platforms with Gridwise. The Gridwise app seamlessly tracks your earnings and allows you to view them in clear, concise, and attractive graphic form.

Why choose Gridwise?

Because Gridwise is designed specifically for gig drivers, it includes all the information drivers need in the course of a shift. You won’t have to keep going back and forth from one app to the other to find out what’s happening with the weather or traffic alerts in your area. Gridwise has them for you, right at your fingertips!

You’ll also get more information drivers need, such as stats on the number of airport arrivals and departures, and the starting and let out times for games, concerts, and other events in your area.

Plus, you can stop driving yourself crazy looking at all your apps for the best times and places to drive. Gridwise has all the information, curated from the experience of drivers on your apps in your area! Sit back, check Where to Drive and When to Drive from Gridwise, and plan out your gig driving schedule!

Gridwise is designed by gig drivers for gig drivers. With these great streamlining features, plus deals, discounts, and offers for health care and insurance that make living as an independent contractor more secure, you can’t afford to drive without it.

Download Gridwise now!

We have additional resources for delivery drivers you may enjoy:

• 10 Common Delivery Driver Mistakes To Avoid In 2023
• Delivery Driver Guide: Using The Uber Eats App
• How To Be A Delivery Driver: A Gridwise Driver Guide

How many people fly each year during the Thanksgiving holidays? Try 30 million. That’s how many people the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported to screen this year in the twelve days between Friday, November 17, and Tuesday, November 28. It’s a daunting challenge for rideshare companies as they determine the incentives and bonuses needed to lure drivers away from their families to the major airports.

Thanks to Gridwise Analytics and more than 500,000 reporting gig drivers, we now have a clearer picture of airport traffic data and what happens during this peak travel season and other major travel holidays. This information benefits the mobility companies as they grapple with adequately compensating those with gig economy jobs and how best to incentivize drivers. The other beneficiaries are hedge funds, equity research firms, and venture capital firms, as they evaluate investments in mobility companies.

What’s inside this blog post:

• How Gridwise Analytics provides airport traffic data
• What Gridwise airport traffic data tells us about the holidays
• Driver tips also a factor in holiday gig driver earnings
• The value of traffic data services and mobility analytics
• Traffic data services and mobility analytics aid the investment community
• How other companies can benefit from mobility analytics and traffic data services

How Gridwise Analytics provides airport traffic data

Gridwise is a companion app for more than 500,000 US part-time and full-time rideshare, food delivery, and parcel delivery drivers. Gridwise interfaces with these drivers’ apps, providing information and tips on maximizing earnings. The Gridwise app also provides a mileage and expense tracker, which ensures drivers get the tools they need to maximize their earnings potential.

Gridwise aggregates and anonymizes data from these gig drivers, making it possible to convert the information into data points. For example, Gridwise reports where trips originate, where they end, and the major transportation corridors—vital information for companies involved in the growing mobility field. Since Gridwise also serves food and parcel delivery drivers, this intel holds potential for companies engaged in those sectors as well. 

What Gridwise airport traffic data tells us about the holidays

Our airport passenger traffic data, starting with Thanksgiving 2022, provides a unique and reliable picture of airport travel.  

Thanksgiving 2022

In 2022, we saw the first significant spike in Thanksgiving holiday travel activity two Mondays before the holiday. Gridwise Analytics airport traffic data showed a surge across the US that spiked 18% higher than a typical Monday night.

The increase in traffic continued to the following Saturday (the weekend before Thanksgiving). Airport passenger traffic data showed a 17% increase in the morning and evening compared to the usual numbers. By Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, we saw another spike, with a 12% increase over the average Wednesday.

There was a dip the Friday after Thanksgiving of nearly half (49% lower) than what's typically observed on a standard Friday morning. We can likely attribute that to the lack of business travel during the holiday. The post-holiday rush came the Monday night following Thanksgiving with a 32% increase in travel activity as people returned home.

Christmas 2022

Airport passenger traffic data from Gridwise Analytics showed airport activity in the US surged during the Christmas holiday, reaching 12% above the expected levels on December 17 (data is adjusted to the day of the week to account for the variations from one year to another). After this spike and a small bump on December 22, there was a decrease until Tuesday, January 3, 2023, when traffic jumped 17% over a typical Monday as travelers returned home.

Memorial Day 2023

There was a gradual increase in activity at the airports on Memorial Day, peaking at a 16% increase over a standard day's activity between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. on May 23, a week before the holiday, and then another peak of about 5% during the same time frame, on Memorial Day itself. Following this peak, there was a noticeable decrease, with trip activity dropping to 31% below the expected levels.

Independence Day 2023

Approaching Independence Day, there was an increase in activity from July 1 to July 2. We saw an overnight increase in activity of 21% above the norm for a typical day. Travel patterns shifted downward by 34% in the evening of July 3, continuing into the 4th of July, which, again, we can likely attribute to the lack of business travel. 

Driver tips also play a factor in holiday gig driver earnings 

Tips from passengers through the Gridwise app average between 10% and 14% of rideshare driver pay during the regular year. As holiday periods approach, there's an increase of slightly over 2% in the proportion of trips receiving tips, compared to usual patterns based on time of day and week. 

This surge is then followed by a decline, with the number of rides that include tips dropping by 11%. After the holiday, there is a resurgence in tipping, with tipping rates rising about 3% above the normal levels.

Although tips are lower, our data suggests that holidays do not significantly affect earnings overall. As a result, drivers do not experience a considerable increase in earnings beyond the usual expectations.

The value of traffic data services and mobility analytics

These numbers and charts give rideshare companies a clearer picture of demand during the holidays beyond their own data. Companies face the challenge of designing gig driver incentives that lure drivers away from holiday dinners and activities and into their cars to provide rides.  

For Uber, these include Uber Quests and Uber Boost+. Uber Quests rewards drivers with an additional bonus for taking consecutive rides in a specific time frame. An Uber Boost+ is more pinpointed, attracting drivers with bonuses on rides in an area where demand will increase within a few hours. Drivers become particularly adept at taking advantage of these incentives to increase their Uber driver income. 

For Lyft, these incentives come in the form of Lyft Sprints, similar to Uber Quests. 

Both Uber and Lyft also offer surge pricing. These incentives kick in when ride-sharing demand exceeds the supply of rideshare drivers available. 

Lyft and Uber want to offer bonuses that create lucrative rideshare driver pay that attracts drivers out during the holidays, but at the same time, they do not want to drive up passenger fares to the point that it affects usage. More accurate airport traffic data allow rideshare companies to achieve this. 

Traffic data services and mobility analytics aid the investment community

Earlier this year, McKinsey & Company’s article Shared Mobility: Sustainable Cities, Shared Destinies predicted that by 2030, “shared mobility could generate up to $1 trillion in consumer spending.” The article also reported that private investors, technology companies, and others have invested more than $100 billion into shared-mobility companies over the past decade. 

Firms in the investment sector are increasingly using data analytics from sources such as Gridwise Analytics to test their theses and determine the potential of mobility-related companies. Gridwise Analytics is able to provide accurate data in real-time so that venture capitalists, equity research firms, and hedge fund managers can make sound decisions about the best opportunities. 

This is especially true as the US expands its airline infrastructure. Airports are usually in areas characterized by high-cost real estate. It is important to make the best decisions and use this real estate to its maximum benefit. 

How other companies can benefit from mobility analytics and traffic data services

Gridwise Analytics shows where and when people and items move through a city. Companies in other business sectors have benefited or can benefit from this type of traffic data.  

Electrical vehicle chargers

EV chargers are essential to the growth of electric vehicles. The challenge is that the upfront cost for a charger is considerable, and payback is slow. This means EV charger companies must be selective in where they place these chargers to ensure maximum payback. Learn the story behind one company’s success in this Gridwise Analytics article, Gridwise Mobility Data Analytics Pinpoint EV Charger Locations. 

Autonomous vehicles

A firm designing autonomous vehicles to deliver smaller items was ready to test their service. However, they were still determining which market would be the most beneficial. They needed a dataset that told the story. Learn about their successful partnership with Gridwise in Data-Driven Strategy: How Gig Mobility Drove Fleet Efficiency in an Autonomous Vehicle Company’s Strategy. 

Other transportation analytics companies

No one company has the corner on the best information when it comes to traffic data. Replica, a transportation analytics company, provides models to help companies and municipalities understand how transportation functions. Replica called upon Gridwise Analytics to sharpen its picture. Read the story in this Gridwise post, Replica: Enhancing Mobility Insights with Gridwise TNC Data. 

Partner with Gridwise

Gridwise Analytics offers traffic data services with unique insights for companies involved in the broader transportation infrastructure, demonstrating how people and goods move from one location to another. The data show where trips originate, where they end, and the primary travel corridors. Gridwise Analytics’ partners marvel at the data's clean nature, allowing them to integrate the data into their existing datasets with little or no manipulation. 

For a demonstration of how Gridwise Analytics vehicle trip data can sharpen your transportation analytics, contact Gridwise Analytics. 

Are you looking for more articles about Gridwise Analytics? 

• Learn more about Gridwise Analytics. Start exploring today! 
• Read about the assurances we make to drivers about using their data. 
• Why we launched Gridwise Analytics. 

As drivers, we know there are good points and bad points about each of the companies we drive for. Delivery driving is a bit different from rideshare, and every company has its own policies and potential for driver profit. It’s good to know what companies have to offer, so you can figure out how they fit into your hybrid driving gig.

That’s why we put this blog post together, to help you see the advantages and disadvantages of working for two of the most popular delivery services, Uber Eats and DoorDash. We’re going to look at some of the key aspects of working for them, and compare the two companies as we go along. Topics to be covered include:

• Signing up on Uber Eats vs Doordash: how easy is it?
• How do these companies pay, and how much can you earn?
• What does each company expect from drivers?
• How do these companies make room for earnings to grow?
• How can you fit Uber Eats and DoorDash into your hybrid gig mix?

Signing up on Uber Eats vs Doordash: how easy is it?

If you’re totally new to delivery driving, here’s a Gridwise article that will help you understand what services you can drive for and get started. 

If you’re new to Uber Eats, read this Gridwise article for basic info.

Becoming a Dasher (a DoorDash driver) is pretty easy. In fact, it’s less difficult than qualifying to be a rideshare driver. For instance, you don’t have to worry about having a perfect vehicle; cars, SUVs, and trucks don’t have any specific hurdles to clear. As long as your ride moves and you have it registered and insured, you’re good to go. If you live in a place where it’s practical, you can use a motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle. In some areas, you can even walk. 

Before you start working as a Dasher, though, you might have to wait for an invitation. DoorDash doesn’t like to overcrowd the market with too many people out there making deliveries. You may have to wait up to a few weeks before you’re invited to go through the registration process. Once you receive that notice, all you have to do is fulfill these requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have an iPhone or Android phone capable of running the Dasher software
• Have a current, domestic driver’s license
• Present a valid Social Security number
• Pass a background check (no felonies or DUI violations in the past 7 years, and if you’re using a motor vehicle, no more than 3 driving violations in the past 3 years)

Signing up for Uber Eats is easy too. You can use any 2- or 4-door vehicle.  You cannot use a rental car to deliver unless you get it through Uber, and, of course, your car must be registered and insured in your name.

You can use a scooter for Uber Eats, but it has to meet some minimum requirements; namely, two wheels and under 50cc, and you must have it insured. You can also walk if you work in a place where that’s practical. Here are the rest of the requirements:

• Be 19 years of age or older (18 if you want to ride a bike or walk)
• Have one year of experience driving (if you drive)
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Be capable of carrying at least 30 pounds
• Pass the Uber Eats background check (no record of violent crime or DUI for the last 7 years; no more than 3 major motor vehicle violations in the past 3 years)

If you meet these requirements, Uber will allow you to sign up as an Uber Eats driver, and there is no waiting list. If you’re already approved as a rideshare driver for Uber, you just have to opt in to receive deliveries. You can set your app to receive just delivery requests, just rideshare requests, or both rideshare and delivery trips.

You cannot, however, sign up as an Uber Eats driver and automatically be accepted as a rideshare driver. Your vehicle needs to meet more stringent requirements.

How do Doordash and Uber Eats pay, and how much can you earn?

A Dasher’s cash

You can make money with DoorDash in one of two ways: either “dash now,” which means you make yourself available through the app immediately; or schedule blocks of time when you can be available. DoorDash rewards top drivers by giving them early and anytime access to delivery trips. 

As with all apps of this type, you will be pinged when a delivery becomes available. 

Once you get a delivery, whether it’s through a dash now or a scheduled block, be sure to look carefully at what’s required. In most cases, the customer will have placed the order with the restaurant or store, but there are times when you’ll have to be the one to place it. In those cases, you’ll want to pull over and put the order in before heading to the pick-up location so the merchant can have the order ready before you arrive.

You might get pinged for two orders at one place, or at establishments that are close to one another. It’s usually a good idea to take these multiple orders because you’ll make more money for that one trip.

You’ll know the minimum amount you’re going to make for a delivery before you accept the trip. If there’s more wait time, or the trip takes longer, the final amount may be higher. When this happens, DoorDash will adjust your payment accordingly. 

Your basic driver pay from DoorDash is calculated based on the time, distance, and desirability of the order. Drivers are very likely to get tips over and above this amount. Sometimes, customer tips are tacked onto the basic driver pay, and sometimes they add it after you complete the delivery. There are also opportunities for additional earnings through driver promotions. 

These promotions include Peak Pay, which is doled out when business is exceptionally brisk and drivers are scarce; Challenges, or specific rewards for reaching a certain earning level or completing a set number of trips in a given time period; and Drive, large orders that are available for drivers who qualify.

Drivers are paid weekly, but if you need cash instantly, you can use DoorDash Fast Pay, which allows you to transfer your earnings into your bank account on the spot. The charge for this service is $1.99 per transaction.

Learn more about how much DoorDash drivers can make here.

The Uber Eats experience

Uber Eats orders come into the Uber app like any other trip request. There is no option for setting out blocks of time. You turn on the app when you’re available, and if you sign on at a time when there are deliveries needed, you’ll get pings.

Uber allows the customer to place orders directly through the app so there is no need to worry about placing an order. Trips may include more than one delivery, and the driver doesn’t have a choice about accepting them or not. Both must be accepted, and in the order the Uber app indicates. Your delivery route will also be set up by the app. 

At times, you may get a second order at the same restaurant where you’re already picking up, or at a nearby eatery. With those orders you can choose to accept or decline.

Uber pays drivers based on the pick-up, the drop-off, and the distance involved in completing the delivery. You will also be paid for wait time at the pick-up point. And in most cases, customers will tip you after the delivery is complete.

Uber Eats driver incentives can help increase earnings. These include Boost Zones, which are areas where driver payments can be multiplied by a certain factor. They are established by Uber when drivers are needed in certain locales. Surge pricing works out to be a bonus for drivers during peak hours, where demand for delivery is exceedingly high. This is determined by area as well as by time of day, and of course, demand.

Uber Eats drivers are paid by the week, but they can cash out earnings up to five times per day for a fee of $.50 per transaction.

See more about how much Uber Eats drivers can earn here. 

What does each company expect from drivers?

Getting on board and performing delivery duties are only the beginning. You also have to keep up with certain expectations in order to retain your right to deliver. 

Doordash requirements

For Dashers, it’s necessary to keep a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. Not every customer will rate you, but when they do, you’d better hope they are generous. DoorDash will disregard poor ratings (below 5.0) in the event of the following:

• Long wait times at restaurants (>10 minutes)
• Missing or incorrect items when bags are sealed (as a reminder, merchants and customers request that you do not open any sealed bags you receive)
• When you accept a delivery knowing it is expected to be >15 minutes late 
• When multiple Dashers before you unassign (or cancel), causing you to be >15 minutes late 
• When the delivery is late due to multiple batched orders (3 or more)
• Extreme weather conditions (e.g., a snowstorm)
• Uniquely challenging delivery situations related to unforeseen events that cause delays
• System-wide outages 

Doordash requirements

Dashers also have to maintain a completion rate of 80 percent. That means drivers must follow through with the deliveries they accept, without canceling them, four-fifths of the time. There is no minimum acceptance rate, but drivers who accept a greater percentage of calls will receive higher priority when the system sends out pings.

DoorDash also monitors drivers for lateness. The company doesn’t specify a limit, but if you make a habit of being late for any reason beyond those listed above, you could be deactivated.

Uber Eats delivery drivers deal with a rating system that’s more intricate. Along with customers being able to give their opinion about your service, the restaurant or other establishment can rate you too. Also, you can rate your pick-up experience as well as your drop-off experience with customers.

Uber Eats is less specific about what it would take for them to deactivate a delivery driver. The company merely states that it’s important to monitor your ratings, and if you receive consistently low marks, you can watch videos with information about providing top-rated service. If a pattern of negative ratings develops, you will be notified by Uber, and deactivation is a real possibility if it persists.

Uber suggests that you pay attention to these aspects of giving good service in order to maintain high ratings:

• Speed and efficiency: If you’re going to be late due to traffic or another issue, communicate through the app to restaurants and customers;
• Always be courteous and respectful;
• Follow the customer’s instructions for handoff. For instance, if it says, “Leave on the porch,” don’t ring the doorbell;
• Deliver with care. As long as the bags aren’t sealed, make sure that the package contains all the items the customer ordered. Adding extra napkins and condiments is a good idea too;
• Clear communication. If you have questions or problems, don’t hesitate to contact the restaurant, the customer, or Uber Support with your concerns.

Uber also has Uber Pro, which is a system of perks and privileges tied to performance. Based on your acceptance rate, cancellation rate, and the number of trips you complete in a quarter, you will be given a designation that reflects your status in Uber Pro, and what kinds of goodies you will get.

Drivers with higher status receive first priority for trips, the ability to get more information about the trips, and discounts on certain services. If you drive for Uber Eats and also do rideshare with Uber, your delivery and driver ratings are combined for the purpose of this program.

How do these companies make room for earnings to grow?

So far, we’ve touched on restaurant delivery with DoorDash and Uber Eats, but that isn’t the only way to earn with them. Both companies are moving toward other types of deliveries as well. Also, through referral programs and sign-on bonuses, you can really boost your earnings by doing delivery for these two companies.

DoorDash

DoorDash has partnered with Walmart to deliver groceries to customers in select areas. In most cases, you’ll go to a designated spot in the parking lot, or just inside the store. You can find more details about this option on the Dasher Support section of the DoorDash website. Grocery deliveries come up on the app, and you can opt to take them or not.

Clyde, a driver friend of ours in Pittsburgh, says there’s even more to come. In his market, requests come in from an array of stores, including pharmacies, bodegas, and even mall retail stores. Some of these requests are for the driver to go through the store and shop for the items, just like an Instacart shopper would do.

The good thing about DoorDash is, after you see what’s going to be involved, you can decide to accept or decline an order. Your acceptance rate will not affect your overall DoorDash rating, so if it doesn’t seem worth it to you, you can refuse the request without any huge consequence to your status as a highly rated driver.

Uber

The expansion into grocery delivery hasn’t escaped Uber’s tentacles in the least. Since acquiring Cornershop in 2020, Uber offers grocery shopping and delivery through the customer side of the app. For the time being, the delivery driver apps remain separate. Customers order through Uber Eats, but a Cornershop team member does the delivering. The same goes for Uber’s acquisition of liquor delivery service Drizly in January 2021, which widens Uber’s reach even more. 

Plans are also in the works for Uber Connect, a courier service and package delivery service. You’ll have to check your local market to discover what’s available to you. Without a doubt, both companies seek to make delivery even bigger than it already is.

How can you fit Uber Eats and DoorDash into your hybrid gig mix?

Now that you have a better idea of what these two companies have to offer, you can begin to sort out how you might want to work them both into your hybrid, or mixed, delivery gig. Of course, along with all the other issues we’ve covered here, knowing which markets each of these services covers more fully is a key factor. 

Doordash markets

DoorDash is available in more than 4,000 cities and towns across the U.S. You can find out if yours is included by visiting the DoorDash network.

Uber Eats markets

Uber Eats has an even wider reach, serving more than 6,000 cities across 45 countries. Here are all the U.S. cities where Uber Eats is available.

DoorDash is the most popular service in many locations, and that could mean there is more business, or it might indicate there are already enough drivers to meet demand. The same goes for Uber Eats. You’ll have to explore what’s going on in your location, and create your driving strategy accordingly.

Considerations

There are many things to consider when you’re looking for the right companies to incorporate into your gig driving life. We hope we’ve inspired you to look at a few of them. 

But of all the aspects of working for a delivery company, most certainly, what matters most is your bottom line. Which one is helping you to make the most money, and how can you tell?

There’s a really great way to do that! Track...and compare your earnings with Gridwise!

Track your earnings (and more) with Gridwise

Gridwise gives you a huge advantage, because you can see all your earnings from all your apps, at a glance. Link your accounts to the Gridwise app, and your earnings and mileage will be seamlessly (and anonymously) logged. When you want to compare earnings among your gigs, Gridwise produces easy-to-read, informative graphs.

And now, Gridwise allows you to enter expenses too. You can create your own categories, and record those deductible items right into the app. This gives you even deeper insight into what you’re earning.

The Perks tab is filled with all kinds of good stuff. There’s easy access to the informative Gridwise blog and up-to-the minute news from the Gridwise YouTube channel. You can also check out the many products, discounts, and deals our partners have to offer.

Say what? You don’t have Gridwise yet? Download the app today!

Looking for more delivery resources? Check these out!

• How to make $1000 a week with Uber Eats
• A Guide to Dashing: DoorDash For New Drivers vs. Experienced Drivers
• Uber Eats Driver Pay: How much do drivers earn?

Most riders and drivers enjoy driving for Lyft because they have a reputation for valuing their customers and drivers. If you want to drive for Lyft, or even if you already do, this post about the Lyft driver app will show you all the ways you can benefit from driving for Lyft. We will look at

• How to become a Lyft driver
• What the app for Lyft drivers can do
• How to use the Lyft driver app
• Lyft driver ratings: where to find them
• How to manage your account on the Lyft rideshare and Lyft delivery driver app
• Elevate your Lyft earnings with Gridwise

How to become a Lyft driver

Start by downloading the  Lyft app, available on both the Apple and Google Play stores. From there, you’ll quickly discover how Lyft has established its reputation of being friendly to its drivers and customers. The sign-up process is laid out for you, step by step. Because you must first pass a background check, it will take a few days to be fully signed up—so don’t expect to get to work right away. 

You will need to let the Lyft app know where you plan to drive as requirements vary from one state or city to the next. In some places, you may need to get special licenses or go through a Lyft vehicle inspection. The Lyft website will tell you everything you need in terms of your vehicle, driver qualifications, and any other documentation required, based on where you live. 

What the app for Lyft drivers can do

Once you sign up for Lyft driver duty, you’ll be ready to learn more about the app. The Lyft app’s features are extensive, but the UI (user interface) is intuitively designed. There are many features that you will need as a driver. While you may learn a lot about them during the sign-up process, it will take some trial and error to know about and use them all. 

These features include

• driving and delivery information
• earnings
• bonuses and promotions
• safety
• ride history
• rewards
• app settings
• customer feedback
• information about your vehicle and devices
• car rentals

You can visit Lyft’s YouTube channel and take advantage of their extensive library of videos to get some idea of just how comprehensive the apps’ services are.

There’s a wealth of information within the Lyft app as well. Tap on the home screen’s menu icon at the upper left, go to “Support and Safety,” and select the “Learning Center.” There you will find numerous tutorials that cover just about every issue you are likely to encounter when learning how to use the Lyft driver app.

How to use the Lyft driver app

Once you’re ready to fly solo, so to speak, the first thing you’ll notice about the Lyft app is how sleek and functional its design is. You can use the same app to drive or deliver as you do to request rides.  You can toggle between the Lyft rider side of the app and the  app for Lyft driver simply by choosing the icon you want on the bottom of the screen.

Click on the search button (magnifying glass) to be a passenger and the bus icon to access information about public transportation. The key icon sends you to Lyft’s car rental partner, and the steering wheel directs you to the Lyft app for driving.

In addition to the choice of driving or being driven, Lyft offers delivery services in certain cities. Currently delivery services are available in only 12 larger US markets. Delivery items include packages under 50 lbs, food delivery from restaurants that have relationships with Lyft, prescriptions, and retail items. If it is available in your locality, it will show up on your app.

There is no separate Lyft delivery driver app. Drivers in markets where Lyft delivery operates will receive requests through the regular driver app. Drivers don’t have to deliver; if they want to opt out of receiving delivery requests, they must contact Lyft (as it’s not possible to opt out of deliveries in the app itself).

Drivers can, however, opt in or out of accepting carpool rides, which allow you to pick up more than one passenger along a given route, and drop them off at select destinations. Drivers can also choose to pick up reserved rides, where the customer arranges to be picked up at an exact location and time.

All Lyft drivers, whether they opt for rideshare, delivery, or both, must complete Lyft’s education program before being fully qualified to drive. Topics covered include safety, community standards, and food safety for food delivery drivers. This article from Mashable tells you more about the mandatory, video-based program.

The Lyft driver app also houses a Lyft learning center. 

Once you are fully approved, you will see a map and a button in the app inviting you to go online. Now you can start earning money with Lyft!

The map will show where there will be extra money added to your payments, due to increased demand. These areas are known as bonus zones.

Make sure you’re ready to drive when you tap that button, because before long, you’ll receive a ride or delivery request. When you receive the request, you’ll see how much it will pay. You have 15 seconds to decide whether to accept it. To accept, swipe, and a map will appear showing you where to pick up your rider or make your delivery.

The Lyft app will automatically provide the route you’ll need to take. If you want to use a different GPS service, namely Waze, you can do so by indicating this in your settings under “Navigation.” Here you’ll note, too, that Google Maps can be used within the Lyft app.

No matter which GPS service you choose, the map will show you the exact pickup location. After you get the passenger or delivery item, swipe again, and the map will change, directing you to your destination. When you arrive, drop off either your passenger or delivery, and end the trip. At that point, you’ll see how much you will be paid for the trip. A tip might be included, or tips may become visible later, after the customer adds them.

The Lyft blog offers this set of instructions and helpful advice for your first trips as a Lyft rideshare or delivery driver.

If, during or after a ride, it becomes apparent that there are issues with a customer, it’s always best to inform Lyft as soon as possible. Pull over, and go to your app under “Help.” Tap on “Ride and payment issues,” and a list of options will appear. You can report anything from being rated unfairly to a car seat issue, as you’ll see on the screenshot below.

Lyft driver ratings: where to find them

After each ride or delivery, you and your customers will get a chance to rate one another. It is very important to maintain high driver ratings. If you have a lot of negative ratings from your customers, Lyft may deactivate you and retract your right to work on the platform. When you have good ratings, you also will benefit by getting more offers for rides and deliveries.

You can find your Lyft driver ratings under your profile, which is an item on the menu that appears when you tap the menu icon in the upper left hand corner of the Lyft driver app home screen.

Also displayed will be badges, earned when your customers make additional comments about the high quality of your service. Ratings are much more important than you might think.

How to manage your account on the Lyft rideshare and Lyft delivery driver app

When you sign up to become a Lyft driver, you’ll have to upload documents for your car, including registration and insurance, and, if it applies in your state, proof of inspection. You may drive along for around a year, and then discover you have to update this information, or, you may get a new vehicle that needs to be registered with Lyft.

All you need to do to update your account is click on the menu icon on the home screen, then tap “Account.” Another page will open that allows you to update your information. Tap on “Insurance,” for example, and you can upload your latest insurance card.

Here is also where you can get more detailed information about your earnings, obtain tax documents, and even upload a new profile picture.

The Lyft app is quite impressive, both for its sophistication as well as its ease of use. It is also visually appealing, with colors that attract the eye and emphasize what’s most important on the screen at any given time.

As a driver, you will probably agree with many of your colleagues that the Lyft app is easy to work with. That’s true, and there is a way to make the experience of being a driver for Lyft even better.

Elevate your Lyft earnings with Gridwise

Gridwise improves on what the Lyft app has to offer in a few very important ways. It provides you with

1. complete mileage tracking. Lyft tracks only the miles you drive while you are picking up and dropping off people and/or packages. Gridwise tracks every mile you drive from the time you start your shift. Now you can collect the valuable tax deduction for all the miles you drive to and from trips, and in between. When you deduct more mileage, you get to keep more of your earnings.

2. comprehensive earnings reports. When you sync your Lyft app to Gridwise, your earnings will be recorded for each shift. Then when you want to find out how well Lyft is working for you, Gridwise produces attractive and easy to read graphs that allow you to see all the data that’s relevant to your Lyft driving gig.

3. Gridwise Benefits. This feature, designed to meet the needs of gig drivers, gives you access to low-cost insurance, affordable health care, deals on car maintenance and rentals, and more.

4. updates on weather, traffic and local events. Know what’s going on around you so you can be the most efficient, aware, and available Lyft driver out there.

5. insight into where business will be. Gridwise features When to Drive and Where to Drive show you data based on real driver earnings in your area. Now you’ll be able to plan your driving shifts for the times and places that bring you the most money.

When you make Gridwise your Lyft partner, you don’t just make your life easier; you make it so you can maximize your earnings, too!

Make the most of your Lyft driving gig with these practical posts from Gridwise:

• Lyft driver payments: How do they work?
• Lyft driver ratings: How do they work?
• How to improve your Lyft driver rating?
• Lyft and Uber driver skills: How to improve your customer service

Download the Gridwise app now!

The demand for food delivery shot up during the pandemic and has remained solid ever since. Restaurants have found that it’s easier to operate with less seating and more takeout, and customers got hooked on the ease of ordering in.

This is good news for delivery drivers. There are several options, with Grubhub and DoorDash being two of the most popular. In this post, we’ll look at Grubhub vs. DoorDash pay and add other insight and information to help you determine which of these two would be best for you to drive for.

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Grubhub vs. DoorDash: structures and payouts

The pay structure for Grubhub vs. Doordash is similar. Both offer the opportunity either to schedule blocks of time or to work on demand. This flexibility is automatically offered to Grubhub drivers, but DoorDash drivers need to earn the privilege by completing a certain number of deliveries.

Drivers for both Grubhub and DoorDash are paid by the delivery, and will know how much each order will yield before accepting the trip. This video will take you through a Grubhub delivery driver’s run, so you can see exactly what it’s like to drive for Grubhub. And this video covers just about everything there is to know about the DoorDash app and how to execute deliveries.

Payout options for DoorDash vs. Grubhub.

• Dashers can get paid weekly—or, for a fee, get paid daily. They may also choose to be paid on a Visa card they obtain through DoorDash, which is attached to a bank account. In some instances, they may be paid by the customer in cash, in which case, the cash is deducted from the driver’s payout. Read more about the details of Dasher payouts on the DoorDash website.

• With Grubhub, the options are just weekly pay or daily cash-out. Daily cashout is free for Chase customers, but a fee is charged for others. Also, it’s possible to cash out directly to your debit card for a fee.

How much does DoorDash pay you? What about Grubhub?

So then, what about Grubhub vs. DoorDash pay? Gridwise recieves anonymous earnings data from drivers, which we can use to compare how well drivers do in terms of earnings for Grubhub vs. DoorDash.

For Grubhub, drivers averaged a little over $14.00 per working hour in the first half of 2023. This number is consistent with earnings from 2022, proving that Grubhub earnings are not on a downward trend. The figures below show, in fact, the earnings went up slightly from the end of the first quarter to the end of the second.

Grubhub driver earnings Q1 and Q2 2023

Average Gross EarningsAverage Work HoursAverage Total TripsQ1       $993.004197Q2       $1055.9743.44104Source: Gridwise

On the whole, hourly earnings for Dashers are solid, if not spectacular. Based on Gridwise data, the average driver pulled in about $15.00 per working hour. This includes tips and incentives as well as base pay. Here are some more statistics for the first half of 2023.

DoorDash driver data for Q1 and Q2 2023

Average Gross EarningsAverage Work HoursAverage Total TripsQ1       $1,463.1351178Q2       $1,511.1757191Source: Gridwise

Tips and incentives: two key components of delivery earnings

Don’t forget, when you look at Grubhub vs. DoorDash driver pay, to consider the opportunities for tips, and how well the companies do at reminding customers to remember to recognize your hard work. Tips can really let your earnings add up, as can incentives. Incentive earnings consist of opportunities to make a fixed number of deliveries in a certain time period.

How much does Grubhub vs. DoorDash pay in tip earnings? In the first two quarters of 2023, both tip and incentive pay were higher for Dashers than for Grubhub drivers. 

GrubhubDoorDashQ1–Q2 2023 Average Tip Pay: $510.51 Q1–Q2 2023 Average Tip Pay: $759.24Q1–Q2 2023 Average Incentive Pay: $41.64 Q1–Q2 2023 Average Incentive Pay: $172.48 Source: Gridwise

Why are DoorDash numbers for tip and incentive pay higher than those for Grubhub? A lot could have to do with the comparative popularity of the two companies and the greater number of trips Dashers make on average. Also, the DoorDash app experience presents many opportunities for customers to tip, both before and after the delivery is complete.

Incentives for DoorDash are higher, possibly also due to the demand for drivers. Especially with the many items Dashers can deliver, DoorDash needs more drivers, so they offer many enticing incentives to drive for the company.

It’s important to weigh all these considerations before making the choice of which company you would want to work for. It’s really not possible to say that one is “better” than the other.

DoorDash might be more active in your area, while Grubhub might offer more opportunities overall. Look at both carefully and consider working for one, the other, or even both! You can do that by learning the art of multi-apping. Learn more about multi-apping in this post from Gridwise.

Perks: another way to cash in on your delivery gig

There’s one more thing. It pays to get savvy to the driver rating-related privileges each company has. DoorDash and Grubhub offer similar perks for their drivers. These include discounts and priority for scheduling and being sent larger, more lucrative orders.

Most of the discounts are the same for all drivers, but the other perks require high driver ratings and a high volume of completed deliveries. Find out more about the Grubhubs perk program, or see what Dashers get on the DoorDash website.

Making the most of your delivery gig

While both DoorDash and Grubhub have a lot to offer, there’s a way to get even more out of both. Use Gridwise! With Gridwise, you can

• track your mileage and maximize your tax deductions
• get real-time airport and event information
• record your earnings and see which app is performing best for you
• make more money by discovering Where to Drive and When to Drive 
• gain access to affordable insurance and health care, tax help, deals, and discounts designed for gig drivers
• get inside information on all the delivery apps in this Gridwise delivery driver guide

With all these functions and features at your fingertips, Gridwise gives you every advantage you need to do what you want to do most: make more money with your driving gig.

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The statistic from the Pew Research Center is astounding. As of 2021, 16% of the US population has at least experimented with earning money from an online gig platform. That’s almost one out of every six people in the US who has worked for a gig platform. Driver earnings data, however, tells an additional story. 

There are numerous reports that many drivers don’t even earn minimum wage. The post-COVID-19 impact of inflation on gig work has devastated many drivers. Gig worker earnings have not kept up with inflation.

In this report, Gridwise Analytics looks at gig driver pay. It’s an accurate picture because the Gridwise app captures aggregated and anonymized data from over 500,000 gig drivers across the various gig apps they work for. This intel allows analysts to see the volume of trips and wages drivers earn, including tips. Gridwise Analytics breaks it down based on hourly earnings and earnings per trip. 

The topics we will cover include

• Driver earnings data: What are gig drivers making?
• What are the other factors affecting driver pay?
• What kinds of gig driver regulations are we seeing from states and municipalities?
• What do gig platforms say regarding higher wages for gig workers?

Driver earnings data: What are gig drivers making?

Rideshare

This driver earnings data, derived from aggregated data, is from major gig driving platforms in the rideshare industry, covering 2022 and the first nine months of 2023. 

Rideshare driver hourly wages started about $21.00 an hour in 2022. By the end of Q1, earnings were almost $24.00 an hour. By June, however, hourly earnings dropped to $19.70 by Q3 2023 (a decline of 6.2% from the start of the period). As of September 2023, earnings increased to just over $20.00 an hour. 

The average number of trips to earn this money had ups and downs but began and ended the period at about the same level. For example, drivers averaged 117 rides a month in January 2022 and 120 rides a month in September 2023. 

Rideshare drivers faced an 8% decline in gross earnings per hour year-over-year while the number of trips remained fairly steady.

Gridwise Analytics 2023

Food delivery

These figures reflect driver earnings data in the form of average gross earnings for food delivery drivers over the same period. Our data is recorded from all major food delivery services across the US.

Although demand went up and down throughout the period, it began and ended at almost the same level. Driver earnings went down, however, starting at over $17 an hour and ending at less than $16 an hour. As with rideshare, drivers are driving the same but earning less money.

Gridwise Analytics 2023

Grocery delivery

Pulled from Gridwise Analytics driver earnings data, figures for major grocery delivery services show average gross earnings across the US, including Shipt, Walmart Spark, and Instacart, again covering the same period. 

Many thought that the end to the most severe part of the pandemic would spell doom for the grocery delivery industry, but quite the opposite is true. Trips for grocery food delivery during this period of inflation increased 44% from January 2022 through September 2023. Driver pay, however, declined about $1.00 an hour.

Gridwise Analytics 2023

Summary

Gig drivers across all categories worked harder to see their earnings remain the same—or worse, decrease. In the meantime, inflation during these 21 months was up 9.5%. 

Fuel costs are also high, with the national average price of $3.584 per gallon, recorded by AAA on October 17, 2023. The average per-gallon price in California was $5.589. In New York, it was $4.149. By the time gig drivers subtract fuel costs and depreciation on their cars from the massive number of miles, many are lucky if they make minimum wage in the area where they live. 

Conversely, the data show that the trip volume for rideshare and food delivery remains almost unchanged. In addition, inflation and higher fuel prices mean net earnings after expenses are considerably lower. 

According to Nerd Wallet: 

• 29% of gig workers do not even earn minimum wage in their state (Economic Policy Institute).
• Many New York delivery drivers report earning an average of $11.12 per hour after expenses, again below minimum wage (New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection).
• Chicago Uber and Lyft drivers average $12.72 hourly after expenses (Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).

What are the other factors affecting driver pay?

The issue of more compensation for gig drivers and other benefits is complicated. Both the drivers and tech companies employing gig drivers make important points. 

Drivers and the companies employing them like the freedom and flexibility

Gig driver stories almost uniformly tell how the flexibility and freedom of their work are key benefits. They drive when they want to and don’t drive when they don’t want to. Drivers are motivated by earning as much as possible and keeping their customer ratings at or near five stars.  

I went on a three-week vacation that my wife and I had been planning for a long time,” said one Southern California driver. “I didn’t have to ask for the time. I just shut the app off. When I turned it back on three weeks later, it was as if I was never gone. And the freedom was great. In the fifteen months I drove, ending with the pandemic, I never talked to a supervisor. There are no supervisors. I occasionally texted about a found item or a difficult customer through the app, but that was it.

Gig platforms prefer the freedom and flexibility, too. Letting drivers have their autonomy bypasses the requirement for a field-management crew.

There are concerns about how employee status for drivers would change that dynamic, both for drivers and the companies. There are many questions and few answers. 

Gig drivers have limited access to benefits commonly enjoyed by regular employees

Since before the pandemic, labor groups and driver advocates have been pushing companies to employ gig drivers to fund benefits packages, and there is frequent mention of a gig worker minimum wage. 

What kinds of gig driver regulations are we seeing from states and municipalities?

Reports of low earnings, driver deactivations, and other occurrences have created many activist drivers, gig worker rights groups, and other advocates. They have made significant inroads in legislation affecting gig workers. 

Seattle gig laws. In 2022, the Seattle City Council passed minimum pay rules for food delivery apps, requiring a minimum wage of $17.27 an hour. This follows other City Council legislation passed in 2019, and later statewide legislation that guarantees rideshare drivers are paid wages equivalent to Seattle’s minimum wage. 

More recently, the Seattle City Council followed up with legislation that placed specific requirements for gig platforms before they deactivate drivers, including a 14-day notice and a review process by a human rather than solely relying on artificial intelligence. Washington State is also considering legislation addressing portable benefits for gig workers. 

New York gig law. Proposed legislation in New York City would grant food delivery drivers a minimum wage of $17.96 an hour. The food delivery companies requested and received a temporary restraining order that kept the ordinance from going into effect. This follows 2019 legislation guaranteeing rideshare drivers a minimum wage equivalent to that of other New York City workers. 

Chicago gig law. Crain’s Chicago Business reports that the Chicago City Council is considering an ordinance that would guarantee rideshare drivers a minimum of $7.00 per ride, allowing for higher rates if a per-mile or per-minute rate dictates a fee greater than $7.00. The minimum per-mile rate would be $1.85, with a minimum per-minute rate of $0.65. Rates would increase annually based on inflation. You can view the proposed ordinance on the web page of the Chicago Gig Alliance. 

California’s AB5 gig-worker law. Gig drivers across the US celebrated the passage of AB5 in 2019 in the California State Legislature. The law restructured the California Labor Code and moved toward making gig workers eligible for employee status. 

For those curious about how California's AB5 law affected Uber and Lyft driver pay, we’ve yet to see. In 2020, Proposition 22 passed by voter referendum, exempting Uber and Lyft from AB5. The battle over Prop. 22 was the costliest in California history, with more than $181 million spent to pass it, according to the Los Angeles Times. Also, according to the Times, Uber contributed $52 million toward passing the measure, Lyft spent $49 million, DoorDash contributed $48 million, and Instacart pitched in $28 million.

Nolo.com reports that in 2021, California’s Supreme Court ruled Prop. 22 unconstitutional. An appeals court turned over much of that decision two years later. Major rideshare and food delivery companies are still free from any AB5 limitations.

These are just the significant pieces of legislation in the US. There are others, far too numerous to report in this blog post.

What do gig platforms say regarding higher wages for gig workers?

Many rideshare and delivery companies maintain that increasing gig driver pay, including administrative costs, will require them to raise prices to the end user. CFRA research analyst Angelo Zino told CNBC.com that the increase would likely be from 10 percent to 30 percent. 

Will rate increases create a drop in business for technology companies? 

Gridwise Analytics data shows that even with the Seattle gig law and the New York gig law requiring a gig worker minimum wage, the percentage of demand for each of those respective cities has not appreciably changed in almost three years. Minimum wage requirements appear not to have had any affect on demand in these areas. 

Gridwise Analytics 2023

One aspect to consider is how much rideshare and food delivery has become a part of American life. Here are a few statistics:

• Lyft revenue of $1.021 billion in Q2 2023 represented a 3% year-over-year increase.  Rideshare rides were up 18% year-over-year (Lyft second quarter financial highlights).
• For Q2 2023, Uber Technologies, Inc. posted a net profit of $394 million (Uber second quarter financial results). 
• DoorDash orders total orders for 2023 Q2 were 532 million, an increase of 25% year to year. Gross order value jumped to $16.5 billion, a 26% year-to-year increase (DoorDash second quarter financial results). 
• New installs of the consumer apps for the food delivery companies peaked during the pandemic. Although they have decreased since then, they are still higher than pre-pandemic levels (Adjust).

Americans have come to rely on rideshare. In their daily routines, they use it to get to work, the airport, entertainment spots, and other destinations.

As for consumer delivery ordering habits, these show little impact during the recent high inflation, as illustrated by the DoorDash numbers. Whether a rate increase by these companies will make a difference remains to be seen.

Partner with Gridwise Analytics

“What can be measured can be managed.” —Peter Drucker

Thanks to accurate data from Gridwise Analytics, we see a much clearer picture of the state of gig driver pay.

Decision-makers within various gig platforms have access to well-rounded information, helping them determine how to structure compensation and create programs to increase driver loyalty, optimize driver recruitment, and deliver even better service and value to end users. 

Hedge fund managers, venture capitalists, and equity research firms can better understand how driver earnings impact costs and consumer demand for gig platforms. They can leverage Gridwise’s unique dataset to predict quarterly business volume for public companies, identify the fastest-growing private companies to invest in, or determine the most and least used gig services by region to improve investment decisions.

This data also provides unique and valuable insights for companies serving the broader transportation infrastructure, showing how people and goods move from one location to another. Indeed, companies involved in electric vehicle charging, autonomous vehicles, and highway and city planning have benefited from Gridwise Analytics transportation analytics. 

Analysts can see where trips originate and end, and the primary travel corridors. Data researchers can sort this information to reflect daily, monthly, and annual patterns. 

For a demonstration of how Gridwise Analytics vehicle trip data can sharpen your transportation analytics, contact us below.

Delivery drivers work hard and deserve perks that make all that hard work worth their while. Uber Eats Pro is the company’s way of rewarding drivers for making lots of deliveries and earning high star ratings from their customers.The program is still in the beta testing phase but is being rolled out in more cities all the time. If you haven’t seen it pop up in your app already, it could be coming to your town soon.

In this post, we’ll cover all the important points you need to know about the Uber Eats Pro program, including:

• What is Uber Eats Pro, and how does it work?
• Navigating Uber Pro: the rules that apply.
• What are Uber Eats Pro tiers?
• What it takes to reach the Uber Eats Pro tiers.
• Spruce up your customer service skills.
• A super perk: the Uber Pro Card.

What is Uber Eats Pro, and how does it work?

Uber Eats Pro is a program that rewards drivers with perks, privileges, and savings. Drivers earn points by making deliveries, being willing to work at busy times, and demonstrating their ability to be fast and reliable delivery drivers. 

The program incentivizes drivers to be more diligent about their work by giving them discounts and special privileges that make the job of delivery driver easier and more profitable. This helps out Uber Eats, but it also pushes drivers to make more money. As they take on more deliveries and go out of their way to please their customers, they’ll get more pay and bigger tips. In essence, it’s a win for everybody involved.

Here’s how Uber Eats Pro works:

1. Drivers earn points for deliveries. Some deliveries will earn more points than others. For instance, you’ll get one point for every completed delivery, three points for each order during lunch hours (11 am–2 pm), and six points for every delivery during dinner hours (5 pm–9 pm). The more points you score, the more perks you’ll get.
2. Drivers must maintain a 95% satisfaction rate with customers and restaurants. This level of customer satisfaction is required to make your way up the ladder through the various levels of the Uber Pro program and continue receiving rewards.
3. Drivers receive rewards. Depending on the number of points you accrue, and if you maintain that 95% customer service level, you unlock rewards at different levels. 

Navigating Uber Eats Pro: the rules that apply

Making your way through the program isn’t terribly challenging, but there are a few things you need to consider. For instance, you might work really hard to get your points stacked up for a month, but to keep that level, you’ll need to keep piling up points. Here are the guidelines:

• You earn Uber Eats Pro points one month at a time and get to keep your rewards through the following month. 
• When you earn enough points to move to the next level, you get your new rewards right away. 
• You must keep your point level and customer satisfaction score up to maintain the higher status levels and continue getting the rewards until the end of the following month.

What are Uber Eats Pro tiers?

There are four tiers you can reach in the Uber Eats Pro program, and each includes an array of discounts and other benefits that range from reduced gas prices to a Costco membership and free tuition at Arizona State University Online. You can see the specific benefits offered for each tier on the Uber Eats website. Here, we’ll give you an overview of the tiers and what it takes to reach each one.

The Uber website reminds us that you must have a 95% or better customer satisfaction rating from customers and restaurants to qualify for the Uber Eats Pro program.

🟢 Green. At the Uber Eats Pro Green level, you get an array of discounts on items such as insurance and gasoline as money toward EV charging and $2,500 off a GM Bolt. Not bad, just for showing up!

🟡 Gold. With Gold, you’ll get all the Green tier perks plus free road service as part of your Uber Eats Pro Gold rewards.

⚪ Platinum. At the Platinum level, gas discounts rise from five to six or seven cents per gallon, 7-Eleven discounts increase by a dollar, and that free one-year Costco membership is yours.

⚫ Diamond. With Diamond status, you’ll get all the benefits of the Platinum tier; plus your discount on TurboTax will soar from 25% to 50%. You will also get priority treatment from Uber Eats support.

What it takes to reach the Uber Eats Pro tiers?

Now that you know what you get with each tier of the Uber Eats Pro program, let’s see what it takes to get there.

🟢 Green.  Everyone starts here. Once Uber Eats Pro becomes available in your area, you automatically receive the perks for this tier.

🟡 Gold. Uber Eats Pro Gold benefits come once you’ve earned 400 points in a one month period.

⚪ Platinum. You’ll reach Uber Eats Pro Platinum when you log 800 points in a month. 

⚫ Diamond. Unlock Uber Eats Pro Diamond status when you rack up an impressive 1,200 total points in a month.

Any reasonable driver might ask, “Is Uber Eats Pro worth it?” Since it doesn’t cost anything to qualify, there’s really nothing to lose by participating in the program. However, hustling to get more and more points might not pay off in the long run, as the benefits you get as you rise through the tiers don’t change a whole lot.

Plus, there’s a way to get benefits similar to the ones offered by Uber Eats Pro—from Gridwise! Get insurance, affordable healthcare options, discounts, deals, and insights that every driver needs. You’ll also have a way to track every gig-mile you drive and earnings records that will help you actually see how much money you’re bringing in from each app you sync with Gridwise.

Spruce up your customer service skills

Even if the Uber Eats Pro program doesn’t seem to be everything you’ve ever wished for in terms of perks and rewards, it still pays to participate, because keeping up your customer and restaurant satisfaction rating at 95% will help you become the best driver possible. A big part of this is your attitude and your efficiency.

You can keep those ratings up by following some of these tips for cultivating your customer service skills:

• Be friendly and helpful. Use your smile, offer quick and reliable service, and communicate with your customers. If a restaurant is backed up, a quick text will tell customers what to expect in terms of timing for their deliveries.

• Get geared up. If you want to keep foods at the proper temperature, avoid spills and other mishaps, and make your job easier, you need some delivery gear. Insulated bags, beverage holders, shoulder straps for bags, and more will do all of the above. Uber Eats offers recommendations for food delivery gear on their website.  

• Be courteous to restaurant workers. You know that person’s face. You’ve seen those hands pass off delivery bags to you countless times. Now, what’s that person’s name? Be aware of the little things that make restaurants like you. Calling staff something besides “Hey, you” will help a lot, and most of them wear little tags, so you may not even have to ask their names. When you show respect, they’ll rave about you in your ratings.

• Know where the busy places are. Rather than mindlessly drive from one delivery to the next, pay close attention to where you get the most business, and make sure you put yourself there at the right times. If you need help with this, the Where to Drive and When to Drive features on the Gridwise app will help a whole lot.

• Practice speed. If it’s your jam, aim to do fast pickup and delivery in the busiest markets. How? Simply make it your mission to be in the right areas, and focus on strategizing so you can get the best orders.

A super perk: the Uber Pro Card 

Image credit: Uber.com

There’s another nice perk that comes with being part of Uber Eats Pro that we want to make sure you don’t miss.

The Uber Pro Card is available to Uber Eats drivers in the Uber Eats Pro program. It’s a debit Mastercard featuring a bank account powered by Branch. On top of providing you with a fee-free way to cash out your earnings instantly, it gives you cash back on gas and other items. With this card, you won’t have to worry about the gas hold on your account. Also, you’ll receive an extra percentage point off your gas with each tier you reach. The total amounts depend on the city or area where you drive. Find out more about the Uber Pro card on the Uber website.

As we’ve said, it can’t hurt to participate in Uber Eats Pro, or in any program an app you use offers. Just remember that Gridwise offers many of the same perks! These include benefits, and programs drivers like you look for, plus features that boost your earnings and make your job a breeze!

Download the Gridwise app today.