Are you trying to make some extra cash through the gig economy? You have thought about DoorDash if you are thinking about delivery jobs. My name is Karar Abbas, and I write for FinanceProsper about personal finance. I spent a week working as a DoorDash delivery driver to determine whether it was worthwhile.
I drove a car full of everything from tacos and burgers to poke bowls and auto parts when I worked in a Baltimore suburb. On weekdays during lunch, I concluded that a shift at DoorDash would occur.
How Much Do DoorDash Drivers Make Per Hour in 2024
I made less than that, as I could see from the estimates provided on the workplace insights website, Glassdoor; at between $17 and $24 an hour, is the DoorDash driver.
- I earned $86 for 6.5 hours or three dashes.
- I drove my private vehicle, a full-size pickup truck, 90 miles.
- I spent $19 on fuel at an average of 17 mpg, especially since gas prices were about $3.60 per gallon when I was testing.
- After deducting expenditures from $86 I earned $67, or $10.31 per hour.
In Maryland, a part-time job paying the $15 basic minimum wage might be more profitable, but it would likely be less flexible. DoorDash discovered that the typical Dasher consumes less than four hours a week on delivery, according to internal data from 2022.
What I love about this side hustle is that I’m able to make money on a whim, even if it’s just dollars and cents. Here are some takeaways from the test. If you would rather watch than read, I also recorded my Dasher experience on video.
7 Must-Know Secrets for Success in Takeout Delivery
1. Register in Minutes with One Simple Step!
I downloaded the Dasher app, logged into my DoorDash account because I ordered food there, and worked through the application process: uploading a picture of my vehicle, scanning my driver’s license, and submitting a selfie with instructions to accept my background check. About five minutes later, the background check was completed, and I was good to go dashing. According to DoorDash, background checks take about one business day; however, they could take longer.
2. More Restaurants, More Flavor: Dive into the Action!
The Dasher app allows checking order volume in your town before getting behind the wheel. A heat map through the app gives you a real-time view of what’s going on in your area. As might be expected, it’s busiest at lunchtime (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and dinnertime (4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.); places with more restaurants show all that action and appear red on the map.
Some areas of my small town became moderately busy around lunchtime. Still, overall it was never crowded and occasionally appeared gray on the map, indicating that it was not possible to dash immediately. I made 11 deliveries in three days with 6.5 hours of effort, although it might have taken longer if I had been serving in a more congested, busy neighborhood.
3. Earning Half My Income Through Customer Tips—Here’s How
Earning by delivery is pretty straightforward: a base rate reflecting the time, distance, and desirability of the offer plus tips and promotions, like a “peak pay” bonus for orders during a busy stretch. For longer-distance, slower delivery offers, base pay is typically higher.
I did well on tips, but I didn’t get any bonuses for peak pay. Half of my earnings came from tips. I made an effort to be as friendly, work quickly, and handle food safely when I gave a customer an order directly. I enjoyed the conversation because I work remotely full-time.
Through the DoorDash app, the customer can even add up to 30 days to the tip after the order.
4. Top Cities Where You Can Earn by the Hour – Start Today!
In some cities, instead of being paid for deliveries, you can now choose to be paid by the hour. This choice offers a fixed hourly rate plus gratuities, which can mount up rapidly! One delivery app, for instance, charged $16.75 per hour in some locations.
It’s crucial to read the fine print, though, because the hourly wage only accounts for “active” time—that is, the minutes you spend actively making deliveries. Waiting periods between orders are not taken into account.
One employee made $21.50 for over an hour of active time during a recent shift, demonstrating that hourly pay can still be profitable even with downtime. Find out which cities provide this opportunity to earn money, and then begin optimizing your delivery revenue right now!
5. The Side Hustle That Pays Big (But Here’s What It Costs)
When I signed up, I also chose to have my money deposited directly each week. When I went out for my first dash the following Thursday, on Tuesday, my bank had a $23.25 deposit in its account from the day before. Using a DasherDirect prepaid Visa card, DoorDash also provides the option to cash out after each dash.
My main vehicle was a full-size truck, but the more time I spent out, the worse my average mpg would be. A more fuel-efficient (and smaller) vehicle would have maximized my earnings and experience. One delivery, I pulled into the wrong driveway and had to make a 10-point turn to get out of the driveway. You can get greener in some markets with a motorcycle, scooter, or bike.
6. Tax is your responsibility
DoorDash does not require automatic withholding of taxes. Due to a Dasher’s independent contractor status, those earning over $600 receive a 1099-NEC for tax purposes and might qualify to make self-employment tax deductions.
According to Robert Finley, a certified financial advisor in Chicago, it’s actually the mileage deduction, one of the biggest tax deductions for gig drivers.
By deductions, you reduce the amount of income you have to report as taxable income. The current mileage rate set by the IRS for self-employed workers is 67 cents a mile. DoorDash may give you an annual mileage estimate, but keeping your own is probably a good idea. Finley also suggested finding an app to make it automatic and accurate.
7. Achieving More with Flexibility at the Core
I could have done better if it was okay to infringe on my comfort.
It was a Sunday night, after seven o’clock. My community was experiencing unusually high activity, according to an alert on the Dasher app. If I had gone out at that moment, I may have blown it with a surge of orders and peak income. However, the night was Sunday; I had children to bathe, I was hungry, and I was exhausted.
Therefore, your free time, family time, or fun time would have to take a back seat as a delivery person for DoorDash, especially if you’re using it as extra income.
If you don’t mind that, you will even be better than I did. And if you succeed, you can maybe even increase your savings through this side hustle every month.
How to Become a Top DoorDasher?
- At least 18 years old
- Have a vehicle, something like a car, scooter, or bicycle.
- Have a valid driver’s license or other Government-Issued photo ID.
- Have a Social Security number for a background check
Conclusion
Delivering for DoorDash is one of the best flexible sources of extra income if you are strategic about when and where you dash. Earnings depend largely on location, demand, tips, and what kind of vehicle you are using.
With DoorDash, there’s ample opportunity to earn reasonable pay during peak times and in busy areas, but gas and maintenance of vehicles can eat away at your net income. For someone who appreciates flexibility and doesn’t mind a side hustle that requires a little preparation, it’s worth it to supplement their income through DoorDash.
FAQ
So, how much will DoorDash drivers earn?
DoorDash drivers, according to Glassdoor, can earn between $17 and $24 an hour, although the latter is more a theoretical target. Besides, the base pay per delivery plus tips and bonuses lead up to their total earnings factor which often seems to be quite more in busy areas and peak hours.
How can I use DoorDash to earn $500 each week?
To make more than $500 a week, plan to work during peak hours when orders and tips are higher. Deliver places with several restaurants, and if possible, maximize your schedule over weekends. Also, opt for incentives, like “peak pay,” to add some more dollars to your paycheck.
Can one make $100 a day through DoorDash?
The said amount can be achieved through DoorDash. Lunch and dinner rush hours will make you earn up to $100 per day. Payday varies depending on area, deliveries made, and tips from customers. Probabilities of achieving this depend upon the busy areas where you work.
Does DoorDash pay with real money?
Yes. Drivers can get real money through direct deposit for funds. You can also withdraw after every dash using the DasherDirect Visa card. Drivers are paid weekly for their dashing service unless they opt for an instant pay option.
