The more time you spend reading this article, the less time you have on the road. That’s not what we’re about at Gridwise; we’re about helping drivers get more from their business. So let’s get on with what you’re here for …
According to our data collected from 150,000+ Gridwise drivers, from August through October this year Grubhub drivers earned an average of $15.73 per hour and $10.84 per trip. This is close to the $15 per hour reported for Grubhub drivers on Glassdoor.
Now, let’s break that down, because obviously average earnings aren’t the whole story. Keep in mind, we can’t promise your earnings will match these numbers; where, when, and how you drive have a major impact on what you take home at the end of the day.
The good news? You’re in control of your business – and thousands of drivers are making these earnings and more. To help you become one of them, we’re about to answer these questions:
- Is Grubhub the best app to drive for?
- How can I improve my Grubhub earnings?
- Should I switch platforms to do food delivery?
Let’s get started on the road to higher earnings.
Is Grubhub the best app to drive for?
In terms of earnings for food delivery apps, yes. Over the last few months, at least.
Among drivers who use Gridwise, Grubhub drivers earned more per trip than drivers with Uber Eats or DoorDash during August, September, and October of 2021.
Whether this trend continues is less certain. Grubhub only has a 15 percent share of restaurant food delivery sales (compared to DoorDash at 57 percent and Uber Eats at 24 percent).
Emerging apps like Caviar and Bite Squad can also be a great opportunity for drivers as these companies typically launch aggressive ad campaigns and roll out driver incentives.
So while earnings are high right now, they may not last as larger players take over more of the market. But you don’t have to wait. You can sign up to become a Grubhub driver today to capitalize on the earnings hot streak and take advantage of these tips for boosting earnings even higher.
How can I improve my Grubhub earnings?
Grubhub driver salaries can be hard to predict, but there are always ways to earn more.
Reddit Grubhub drivers are raving about the benefits of multi-apping – and we agree. Actively using multiple apps gives you more options, allowing you to get picky and only take on orders that are worth your time. Just make sure you’re not violating any use agreements.
The real secret to multi-apping is following the numbers to make sure you’re using the right apps at the right time. Gridwise helps you track your earnings across every app and automatically creates reports that help you get more strategic about your delivery app pay.
Knowing when to drive for Grubhub is another key to bigger paydays. The Gridwise When to Drive feature uses up-to-date driver data to show you when drivers are making the most money in real-time.
The Gridwise app also gives you:
- Up-to-date travel information on flights;
- Real-time traffic alerts;
- Gas deals: Save up to $0.25 per gallon with Gridwise Gas;
- The most current information on events happening in your city.
Having the data only gets you halfway there. A real difference-maker for Grubhub driver earnings is in the tips. Grubhub drivers keep 100 percent of their tips, so it pays to invest a bit in your delivery experience. Here are a few things Grubhub drivers can do to boost their tip take-home:
- Consider creating a small thank you card or another token of appreciation that you can quickly and easily add to an order. This sort of gesture will help ensure the customer remembers you when it’s time to add a tip;
- Always put the customer first and provide the most pleasant experience possible;
- Prioritize high-ticket orders from restaurants where tipping is the norm.
Should I switch platforms to do food delivery?
Here’s the truth: Earnings are going to vary. The best way to set yourself up for success as a rideshare or delivery contractor is to do your research and create a plan that meets your earning requirements and fits your lifestyle. Here are a few places to start.
- See how Grubhub earnings compare to Uber
- Should you drive for another food delivery company like Instacart?
- Take a look at the industry overall
Don’t be afraid to try a few different tactics until you find what works for you. Even without fringe benefits (or PTO), the flexibility of rideshare and delivery opportunities continues to bring many new people over to the gig economy. New apps are always popping up, and big names are constantly changing the rules.
Sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, but keeping up with how much you’re earning from each app and tracking mileage and expenses is essential to being a successful driver.
Thankfully, you don’t have to resort to complex Excel sheets to make sense of your business. Instead, Gridwise can do the tracking for you so you can focus more on your customers (and those precious tips).
Apart from helping you build your business, you’ll also get access to exclusive driver benefits and the most comprehensive support for gig drivers.
For more suggestions on improving your earnings, check out our full list of ways to earn more with food delivery.
And as always, if you have something to add, share it with our collaborative driver community on Facebook!
