Wondered if you should be a Doordasher? The hours are flexible and the tasks are diverse. But what’s the real deal for drivers? How does DoorDash compensate its drivers? What can DoorDash drivers expect to earn? Keep reading to uncover crucial tips for DoorDash drivers, along with vital information on DoorDash base pay, daily earnings, driver incentives, and more.
Here's what we cover:
What you need to know about delivering for DoorDash
Gig economy earnings vary from one type of job to another, so it’s important to know how much work you have to do to get a certain amount of income. With this gig, as long as you meet DoorDash driver requirements, you have choices about the kinds of jobs you take.
Food delivery is DoorDash’s mainstay, but you can branch out to grocery shopping and other kinds of deliveries as well. DoorDash is super popular with drivers for good reason. It’s easy to sign up, there’s lots of variety, and you can expect to be busy most of the time. There isn’t much more a delivery driver can ask for.
Check out some of the specific features Dashers (aka DoorDash drivers) enjoy:
- Easy sign-up. The sleek app and comprehensive website make signing up simple, and driver and vehicle requirements are not overly stringent.
- Preparation and training. Access The New Dasher Guide to learn how to use the app and complete deliveries while you wait to be officially onboarded.
- Plenty of business. DoorDash operates in more than 4,000 US cities and held 67% of the food delivery market share as of March 2024. DoorDash drivers are very busy!
- Flexible driving options. Schedule blocks of time to deliver for DoorDash, or use
Dash Now by simply opening the app to accept orders as they come in.
- DoorDash driver incentives. Bank on guaranteed pay incentives for new and existing Dashers, plus a generous rewards program.
Working with DoorDash has a lot to offer, but what about your bottom line? When you’re choosing a gig to add to your repertoire or as a primary source of income, you have to be focused on the earning potential.
Gridwise gives you actual data from real drivers, so you can see exactly what you can expect to earn as a Dasher. We’ll break down earnings data by different measurements, so you’ll see the big picture of how much you can profit as a Dasher.
DoorDash per delivery earnings
Let’s start with a look at how much drivers earn on the average order.
Base pay, promotions, and tips factor into the total compensation for each delivery. Promotions might include peak pay, challenges, and delivery streaks—extra earnings awarded when demand is especially high.
The distance and time an order will take to complete determine the base pay. Tips depend on your ability to provide the kind of service that incentivizes customers to reward you, and their generosity, of course.
DoorDash hourly pay
Hourly earnings are an important measure of how lucrative DoorDash can be. This data includes driver earnings from all 50 states.
Note that average gross earnings don’t reflect the maximum rates drivers earn per work hour while using effective strategies. Hourly rates are much higher for drivers who know when to drive and where to drive to take advantage of peak demand and incentive pay.
DoorDash daily income
“Days” consist of a different number of hours, depending on the driver. It’s important to note that your earnings will reflect the number of hours you put in during a 24-hour period, which may be more or less than what you see here.
Effective DoorDash driver strategies let you make the most of every day. Schedule your Dash times, or work with Dash Now during peak hours, and be consistent with your driving habits. You can Dash on a full-time or part-time basis, but how much you make per day will always reflect your ability to formulate a winning plan that you stick to.
DoorDash base pay before tips
Tips add a lot to the total income of Dashers. Stripping the tip earnings from the total shows what you can depend on making, even if your customers don’t always display a gratuity-giving mood.
Customer service is the name of the game when you want tip income that makes Dashing worth your time and effort. Be on time, communicate with your customers about delays and changes in their orders, and bring the food to them at the right temperature. Insulation and spill-proof equipment are very wise investments!
Favorable DoorDash driver reviews and ratings increase the likelihood of getting big tips. Deliver the goods the way you would want them brought to you, with extras such as spare napkins, condiments, and straws. Make them remember you, and keep your customer service score high.
How much do DoorDash drivers earn overall?
The big picture of DoorDash earnings comes together in this table.
| Quarter | Earnings Per Delivery | Hourly Earnings | Daily Earnings | Base Pay (Before Tips) | Tips % of Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2022 | $8.25 - $8.50 | $18 - $19 | $120 - $125 | $12 - $13 | 30% - 35% |
| Q2 2022 | $8.25 - $8.50 | $19 - $20 | $125 - $130 | $13 - $14 | 30% - 35% |
| Q3 2022 | $8.25 - $8.50 | $22 | $140 | $14 | 35% - 40% |
| Q4 2022 | $8.25 - $8.50 | $20 - $21 | $130 - $135 | $13 - $14 | 35% - 40% |
| Q1 2023 | $8.25 - $8.50 | $15 | $110 | $11 | 40% |
| Q2 2023 | $8.25 - $8.50 | $16 - $17 | $115 - $120 | $11 - $12 | 35% - 40% |
| Q3 2023 | $8.25 - $8.50 | $17 - $18 | $120 - $125 | $12 - $13 | 30% - 35% |
Remember that the daily figures reflect the average number of hours Dashers worked. Many drivers choose to work a few hours a day and only certain days each week. They do not represent the rates earned by full-time drivers.
Even with this consideration, the data shows that DoorDash is a stable and reliable gig, which has grown to dominate the food delivery industry. The more you work, the more you will make, and these are just average figures. How would you manage it so that your earnings reach better than average levels?
Ways to boost your DoorDash driver earnings
Smart strategies are essential if you want to make the most out of driving for DoorDash. It’s possible to make some money simply by following the flow of things each time you Dash. You’ll earn far more, though, when you identify the conditions and variables that create bigger earning opportunities. These include
- location. Where you drive dictates how busy you will be. Take this into account when you determine how many hours, and in what areas, you will work.
- market demand. Know where the orders are, and when DoorDash peak hours are.
- day of the week/time of day. Expect to get the largest number of offers when people are hungry. This isn’t always at mealtime. College students, for example, are known for late-night hankerings for burgers, fries, pizza, and snack items.
- driver ratings. How well you score with customers will determine how many offers you receive. Top performers get first dibs on big orders, too.
- batched orders. When you accept two or more orders to deliver at once, you earn more in less time. Don’t be shy about picking up two orders at the same place, or in adjacent locations.
Strategize with Gridwise
Knowing what you need to maximize earnings is one thing, but how do you get the necessary insight and information? Lucky for you, Gridwise is here to be the one tool you need to put together a powerful DoorDash driving strategy. Look at what you can do with this mighty driving assistant app!
Know when and where to drive. Don’t depend on the Dasher app to send you where the big orders are. Gridwise real-time information comes from drivers just like you, in your location. Features designed to help you strategize tell you the best places and best times to DoorDash.
Track earnings and compare services. The Gridwise earnings calculator allows you to seamlessly record your earnings with DoorDash and the other services you use. Compare how much each service is adding to your bottom line.
Track mileage and other expenses. Keep tax information in order by recording mileage and expenses as they add up. Use the standard mileage deduction, or enter expenses separately if you want to itemize maintenance, fuel costs, etc.
Be informed on local events and weather conditions. Gridwise lists events, and alerts you to weather and traffic information that impacts your delivery day.
Exclusive perks. Save money on gas, vehicle maintenance, and car rentals, and get in on no-cost and low-cost benefits when you become part of the Gridwise community.
Maximize your earnings with DoorDash and all the apps you use—and get discounts, deals, and benefits that make life as a gig worker as rewarding as any other job.
Ready to take your gig work to the next level?
Download Gridwise, the app that helps you track your expenses and maximize your earnings
Here’s more about DoorDash and other gigs you can leverage for solid earnings.
