Getting tips from customers is a big part of working with Uber Eats. In this article, we’ll investigate just how large of a slice Uber Eats earnings are due to tips by seeing what Uber Eats earnings would be like without them. Learn more about Uber Eats earnings.
Here's what we cover:
Breaking down base pay before tips
What do Uber Eats earnings look like? EmpowerHustle.com reports the Uber Eats base pay rate is around $2.00. This rate might be higher if a variable such as distance, time, or demand exceeds what is “normal” for Uber Eats orders in your area.
According to The Courier Network, Uber Eats’ app base pay calculations are made from the following factors:
- Picking up the order
- Dropping off the order
- The distance you must drive
- The estimated time it will take to execute the delivery
- Trip supplements for large orders, the need to shop, or demand for deliveries
The Courier Network article says that the range for base pay can be anywhere from $0.50 to upwards of $10.00, depending on where you’re driving, in addition to the factors listed above. What does Uber Eats pay look like?
Here is what Gridwise data tells us:
Fortunately, there is more to Uber Eats pay before tips than just the base amount Uber pays for each order. Drivers benefit from bonuses and incentives such as Boosts and Quests. Boosts offer additional pay for driving at busy times. Quests reward drivers for completing a given number trips over a set number of days.
It’s interesting to compare earnings before tips with gross daily earnings.
What Uber does to inspire customers to tip
There’s no doubt that good tips keep Uber Eats drivers happy, and Uber itself does its best to make sure customers know how important it is to give good tips. Uber offers explanations of how the app encourages customer tipping.
Customers can tip
- when they place their orders
- at the time of delivery
- up to 30 days later through viewing order history
Customers should get the hint with all those chances to reward drivers for good service. Uber’s policy for reminding customers to tip has improved over time, and works rather well.
Tips: Average and median rates nationwide
One thing is certain: if you want to make the most out of driving for Uber Eats, you will want to know how much you can expect to draw down in tips. Business Insider offers suggestions about tipping delivery drivers. Their findings indicate that for most people, a tip in the amount of $4.00 is sufficient.
Ask any delivery driver, and they’ll tell you that tips are a crucial part of their income. They would hope to do better than that. This is especially true for large orders and deliveries that involve inconveniences such as traffic or difficult access to the customer’s door.
Tipping is very much a function of regional variants. People living in big cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago are used to tipping, so they’re likely to be generous. Others who are already noticing how much they’ve had to fork out for a delivery fee might not be so liberal with adding more to the cost of their meals.
Let’s see what data from Gridwise tells us about Uber Eats driver bonus pay and tips.
You may also be interested in learning how much Uber Eats drivers make per hour.
How to get bigger tips
Keep your Uber Eats rating high. Customers pay attention to your Uber Eats driver rating. If it’s outstanding they’re likely to believe you deserve a big tip.
Use professional equipment. Customers can tip before, during, and after their delivery. If you carry their orders in bags and beverage holders that help maintain the items’ temperatures and prevent them from spilling, you stand a good chance of being tipped accordingly.
Read the Gridwise blog. The Gridwise blog has a wealth of articles designed to help delivery drivers do better, including details about what equipment you need and how to generally please your customers. This Delivery Driver’s Guide is a great way to start.
Become totally familiar with the Uber Eats app. Because communication is so crucial to the way your customers perceive you, always keep them up to date on your status. To do this right, you’ll need to learn how to use about the Uber Eats app.
Be customer service oriented. In a world where service levels seem to be in terminal decline, customers notice it when you go out of the way to please them. Pick up those extra straws and napkins, and follow their delivery directions to a T. Every delivery counts, when you consider your earnings figures by delivery.
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More insight into Uber Eats earnings
Check out these Gridwise articles to learn more about Uber Eats earnings:
