Uber Eats is growing—and fast. With the acquisition of Postmates, Uber Eats is attempting to position itself as the only real alternative to DoorDash. This growth also leads many to wonder about Uber Eats driver pay.
Here's what we cover:
Let’s take a look at the data from 250,000 real Gridwise drivers to find the answers.
How much does Uber Eats pay?
Just like DoorDash, driver pay on Uber Eats consists of three core components: standard delivery fare, customer tips, and promotions.
The Uber Eats Pay rate includes flat amounts for each pickup and drop-off and is calculated by using trip distance and time. Promotions include conditional bonus payments for completing a set number of deliveries in a certain amount of time or for driving during busy times in certain locations.
Uber drivers earn a median average of $18.99 at the time of this article being written.
When it comes to Uber driver bonus and tip pay per work hour, a $3.55 would be a median average number drivers could refer to.
Uber Eats drivers monthly take home pay is less than most other rideshare and delivery drivers. However, it is worth noting that this is median average and can depend on many factors.
A survey of Gridwise drivers indicates that drivers are restricting how often they're on the road to cut down on gas costs. Although their driving has decreased, these stats show that Uber Eats drivers are still making the same amount of money despite accepting fewer trips.
Uber Eats pay in popular US cities
How much do Uber Eats drivers earn in NYC?
- On average, Uber Eats drivers in NYC earn $13.96 per hour.
How much do Uber Eats drivers earn in LA?
- On average, Uber Eats drivers in LA earn $18.93 per hour.
How much do Uber Eats drivers earn in Chicago?
- On average, Uber Eats drivers in Chicago earn $14.05 per hour.
How much do Uber Eats drivers earn in Dallas/Fort Worth?
- On average, Uber Eats drivers in Dallas/Fort Worth earn $13.92 per hour.
How much do Uber Eats drivers earn in Miami?
- On average, Uber Eats drivers in Miami earn $12.05 per hour.
What factors impact Uber Eats Driver Pay?
- Where you drive - Your location is easily the most important factor in determining your earnings as an Uber and Uber Eats driver. Our analysis of earnings data confirmed this by showing variances in driver pay across different cities. But generally, you earn more in urban areas and less in rural areas.
- When you drive - Driving when demand is high improves your earnings through surge pricing and promotions. You can earn more if you’re willing to forgo some of the flexibility of driving on your own terms.
- How often you drive - Drive more. Earn more. It’s that simple! Strategizing to improve your earnings per trip and per hour will not yield much if you aren’t spending enough time behind the wheel.
What are the most significant expenses for Uber Eats drivers?
Gross earnings alone never tell the whole story about your gig earnings. You have to consider all the expenses involved to know your take-home wages.
And that’s not always simple. You have to carefully track of all your expenses (the Gridwise app can help) to accurately calculate your net earnings from the job. Some of the most common expenses include:
- vehicle financing or rental costs
- registration and licensing costs
- vehicle maintenance
- vehicle repair costs
- vehicle depreciation costs
- phone bill, taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses
- the opportunity cost of your time and resources
- medical expenses
Though most drivers do a good job of tracking their direct and recurring expenses, hidden expenses like vehicle depreciation don’t get the same treatment.
According to AAA , depreciation can account for nearly 36% of the total vehicle ownership costs in a year. Still, most drivers don’t account for this expense according to the Wall Street Journal.
Have the rising gas prices impacted driver earnings?
The national average price for regular gas rose by 43.65% (nearly 45%) in a year, going from $2.864/gal to $4.114/gal, according to data from AAA.
The price of diesel saw an even bigger surge during the same period, jumping from $3.083/gal to $5.042/gal in a year, which translates to a staggering increase of 63.54%.
This sharp rise in fuel prices adversely affects the net earnings of all gig economy drivers, including those delivering for Uber Eats.
In an effort to reduce the burden and keep drivers on the road, Uber has started charging customers a fuel surcharge of either $0.45 or $0.55 on every Uber trip and $0.35 or $0.45 on every Uber Eats delivery, with all the money going to Uber Eats Driver Pay.
The exact rates depend on the location and will take into account the average trip distance and increase in gas prices in different states. This temporary relief measure came into effect on March 16, 2022, and will last for a minimum of 60 days, after which Uber will reassess its driver relief program.
Here are a few other options available to help drivers stay on the road despite rising costs:
- join Gridwise for to access driver-specific benefits.
- use Gridwise mileage tracker for Uber Eats to save on taxes.
- follow our guides for tips on lowering fuel costs.
- qualify for the Uber Eats Pro benefits program for better rates and more trips.
So, is it worth driving for Uber Eats in 2024?
Though Uber Eats drivers earn more per hour, overall earnings are fairly consistent across the major food delivery apps.
If you’re deciding between Uber Eats and another service like rideshare or package delivery, it’s worth noting that food delivery pays the lowest per hour.
A hybrid business that includes food delivery during peak hours but focuses more on high-earning gigs like rideshare and packages is likely the best option. For this tactic, Uber does come out on top since drivers can easily switch between rideshare and food delivery jobs in a single platform.
Ready to take your gig work to the next level?
Download Gridwise, the app that helps you track your expenses and maximize your earnings
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