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How Much Does DoorDash Pay in 2024?

We'll answer "How much does DoorDash pay?" in this post. Learn how much you can earn as a Doordash driver, including average earnings, factors affecting pay, and tips to maximize your income as a delivery driver.

Key Takeaways

  • Dashers typically earn around $15 an hour, but this varies based on location, time, and demand.
  • Pay differs by city; for instance, Seattle averages $17.91/hour, while Miami is at $11.85/hour.
  • Earnings comprise base pay (visible before accepting an order), promotions (like ‘Challenges’ and ‘Peak Pay’), and 100% of tips.
  • Increase earnings by working during peak hours, in high-demand areas, and using multiple delivery apps.
  • Remember to manage taxes and expenses as an independent contractor, and consider fluctuations in weekly earnings.

As a DoorDash Dasher myself, I was curious as to how much Dashers actually made in the most popular cities around the United States.

But, when I was first doing research into this post, I realized that a lot of the most popular articles ranking on Google gave answers but either didn’t pull the data from reputable sources, or give a good explanation for the earnings.

So I took on the challenge and decided to dive into the data myself. Luckily I was able to gain access to DoorDash driver earnings figures to help answer this question.

Solo, a popular finance platform for gig workers, was kind enough to grant me access to their DoorDash driver earnings data – part of their Marketplace Insights initiative.

I’ve analyzed this data to finally come up with an actual answer to “How much does DoorDash pay in 2024?”

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  • How DoorDash works for drivers
  • How to complete deliveries [step-by-step]
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It's completely open and free - you can view each lesson just like you would a normal blog post. We just want to teach people how to Dash, the right way.

How Much Do DoorDash Drivers Make Per Hour?

On average, Dashers earn around $15 an hour. However, this can vary based on a few different factors. The base pay makes up about half of this amount, and the tips and promotions are the remainder.

I’ll explain more about the hard figures in detail below, but let’s first break down DoorDash’s payment structure:

1. Base pay

This is what you earn before tips and bonuses on an order. You’ll always be able to see this amount before accepting an order. The figure is based on factors like the estimated time and distance it’ll take you to complete the order

2. Promotions

Doordash offers bonus earnings on top of the base pay. These come in the form of ‘Challenges’ and ‘Peak Pay.’ Challenges are rewards for completing a set amount of deliveries in a certain time slot, while Peak pay is a bonus for Dashing during busy periods

3. Tips

Most deliveries will include a tip, which can end up being around half of your overall earnings. Dashers get to keep 100% of the tip earned.

Once we break out the national average into these categories, you can start to get a true understanding of how much DoorDash drivers make:

Type of PayAmount
Average hourly pay:$15.03
Base pay per hour:$7.55
Bonus pay per hour:$0.04
Tips per hour:$7.53

How Much Does DoorDash Pay By City?

One important thing to note is that the average earnings can fluctuate from city to city.

For example, the city that earns the most from Dashing on average is Seattle at $17.91 an hour. At the lower end of the scale is Miami at $11.85 an hour.

LocationAverage Hourly PayBase Pay per HourBonus Pay per HourTips per Hour
Phoenix, AZ$16.43$7.80$0.02$8.61
Philadelphia, PA$15.64$8.10$0.05$6.83
Dallas, TX$14.39$6.60$0.06$7.73
San Francisco, CA$13.82$8.37$0.00$5.45
Houston, TX$13.40$6.52$0.05$6.83
Data source: Solo

When averaged, these numbers are close to what industry tracking tracking websites have reported.

According to Indeed, Dashers earn around $15.75 per hour. On Glassdoor, this figure shifts between $15 – $27 per hour based on factors such as time spent Dashing and overall tips.

This puts Doordash at the lower end of the top-paying delivery services – only just squeezing past GrubHub’s $15 an hour with a measly $15.03.

How These Numbers Stack Up Against Other Delivery Services

When compared to other services, DoorDash appears to pay at the lower end of the spectrum. Instacart Shoppers earn an average of $18.95 per hour, while Uber Eats drivers earn an average of $17.74 per hour.

Once I dug into the numbers, it seems that Doordash lacks incentives and promotions.

The average Dasher’s earnings from promotions are only $0.04 an hour! On the other hand, Instacart offers an average of $0.40 per hour in promotions, and Uber Eats $0.31 an hour.

While promotions don’t drastically move the needle one way or the other, they certainly contribute to the difference.

Factors Affecting DoorDash Pay

How much you earn as a Dasher can be influenced by a few different factors. Let’s look at a few:

vector graphic showing an illustration of the best times to doordash

1. Location

The area you choose to Dash can have a big impact on your overall earnings. For example, if you choose an area that has lots of popular restaurants, you might find yourself earning more due to a higher influx of orders.

On the other hand, if you choose an area where restaurants are fairly spread out, you’ll spend more time going between restaurants, which means fewer orders and thus less earnings.

2. Time and day of the week

Another factor to consider is what time of day the most orders come in. Driving at the best times ensures that you keep your earnings higher.

Generally speaking, around 11 am – 2 pm (lunchtime) and 5 pm – 8 pm (dinner time) will be the busiest times.

You’ll have a better pick of orders to choose from, and also more orders to complete. A higher volume of orders means more overall earnings.

Dashing on certain days can also be a factor. You’ll find that Fridays and weekends are the most popular days for food delivery.

3. Type of orders

Make sure you accept the types of orders that’ll have you earning the most. For example, choosing bigger orders will help you earn more.

Also, consider the distance. The deliveries with less distance mean you’ll be able to complete them faster and move on to others.

4. Tips

Finally, consider how much you’ll earn from tips. Tips can sometimes make up around half of your earnings from a particular order.

Although you might not get a tip with every order, you can solicit more tips by providing better service.

For example, if you deliver an order quickly you might get a higher tip. Following the customer’s drop-off instructions might also encourage a better tip!

Recent Changes to the DoorDash Payment Structure

DoorDash has recently introduced a new payment structure for its delivery drivers. They can now choose between two primary compensation methods:

  • Per Order Pay: Earnings are set for each delivery, typically ranging from $2 to $10+, influenced by variables like delivery distance.
  • Hourly Pay: A guaranteed hourly rate between $10 and $19.50, dependent on the region. This covers active delivery time, excluding waiting periods. Any tips are added to the base pay.

What Prompted the Change?

There’s been ongoing debate about the treatment of gig workers on platforms like DoorDash and Uber. Many feel that they are undercompensated and sometimes taken advantage of.

To address concerns about fair compensation, DoorDash introduced an hourly wage option. This flexibility, part of their 10th-anniversary “Dash Forward” initiative, empowers drivers with more earnings control. The new approach, though reminiscent of California’s Proposition 22, allows drivers to switch between payment structures.

Cody Aughney, who leads the Dasher & Logistics team, said the change gives drivers more control over their earnings. This change aims to address payment fairness concerns and might encourage drivers to accept smaller orders they used to skip.

DoorDash’s New Earnings Opportunities: How Does DoorDash Pay its Dashers?

DoorDash has consistently emphasized its commitment to flexibility and choice for its Dashers. Reflecting this, the company has introduced two distinct earning modes for Dashers:

  1. Earn by Time: This new mode guarantees Dashers an hourly minimum rate from the moment they accept an offer until its completion. What’s more, Dashers will receive 100% of the tips on top of this hourly rate.
  2. Earn Per Offer: For those familiar with the traditional DoorDash pay structure, this mode continues to offer an upfront display of the guaranteed minimum amount for each offer. And as has always been the case, 100% of the tips belong to the Dasher.

The flexibility doesn’t end there. At the start of each session, Dashers can choose their preferred earning mode. They also have the freedom to switch modes by ending their current session and starting a new one.

gif of doordash earn by time

In addition to these earning changes, DoorDash is implementing further updates to enhance the Dasher experience:

  • Post-checkout tipping: Customers can now tip or increase their tip up to 30 days after delivery, ensuring Dashers are rewarded for excellent service.
  • Dash Along the Way: This feature optimizes the Dasher’s route, offering them deliveries that align with their selected starting zone. This can reduce downtime and help maximize earnings.

For a deeper dive into these updates and to understand how DoorDash continues to evolve its platform for Dashers, read more here.

Is Delivering for DoorDash Still Worth It?

Given the changes, delivering for DoorDash seems more appealing than ever. Not only is there a sense of flexibility in the work, but the new payment structure might provide a more consistent income for many.

However, it’s essential to remember that this hourly system won’t apply everywhere, notably not in California, Seattle, or New York due to specific laws in these regions.

As someone who recently dived into the world of DoorDash, I can confirm that it’s an engaging and potentially profitable venture. With DoorDash continually evolving and adapting to the needs of its workers, it remains an attractive option for many looking for a flexible side hustle or even a primary source of income.

Maximizing Earnings as a DoorDash Driver

Now, let’s look at some ways you can maximize your earnings as a Dasher!

As mentioned in the previous section, there are lots of factors that can influence how much you earn as a Doordash driver. Using these factors to your advantage is how you can make the most profit from Dashing.

1. Work during peak hours

Our top tip is to work during the busiest hours. We outlined these in the last section, but just to recap, these are:

  • Lunchtime: 11 am – 2 pm.
  • Dinner time: 5 pm – 8 pm.

However, don’t skip other times of the day!

Working late at night can also be a great way to rack up money through tips, as orders after 10 pm are more likely to get a higher tip. Customers with the munchies will be more grateful for your service.

Working on busy days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is another easy way to earn more.

Also, consider working around sporting events or concerts as these are times when lots of orders come through.

2. Choose high-demand areas

You can also increase your earnings by focusing on high-demand areas, such as neighborhoods with a high proportion of young people.

If you live near a college campus, hanging around those neighborhoods might get you an increase in orders!

3. Hang around hotspots

Another great tip to maximize your earnings is to go to places with lots of restaurants concentrated close together!

Waiting around a popular restaurant might get you a few orders here and there, but the best way to pick up orders is to choose areas with lots of restaurants.

This means you’ll have a higher chance of receiving orders quickly. You’ll also get the luxury of declining orders based on whether or not they’re worth it.

4. Use multiple delivery apps

Lastly, the best way you can earn more as a delivery driver is to use more than one app.

Don’t stick to only Doordash! Other great options include Instacart, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Post Mates.

Challenges and Considerations

When it comes to earning on Doordash, don’t forget that your taxes and expenses can impact how much you earn.

As an independent contractor, you’ll need to manage your taxes and expenses yourself!

Contractors aren’t employees of the company, so you won’t get any sick leave or paid time off. To succeed, you’ll need to think like you’re the boss.

Did you know you can write off some of your expenses from tax? For example, if you buy more delivery bags or a phone mount, you can write them off as business expenses.

Your other car-related expenses can also come under this.

Depending on what exactly needs work, you can claim these are business expenses. For example, if your car needs maintenance repairs, gas, or even insurance, you might be able to get a tax write-off.

Another challenge you might face as a Dasher is a fluctuating paycheck. No two weeks will be the same, and that includes your paycheck amount as well. This inconsistent income means you might not be earning what you want to.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do DoorDash Drivers Get Paid?

DoorDash Drivers can choose when to get their pay based on what suits them. This is generally through a weekly direct deposit, which includes the earnings made in the previous week from Monday to Sunday. Dashers can look at their earnings in the Dasher app.

Is DoorDash a Good Way to Make Money?

DoorDash can be a good way to make money on the side! The flexible working hours make it a great side gig around other jobs or even study. What you earn depends on how much you work and also plenty of other factors like tips and time of day, for example.

Wrapping Up

To conclude, being a Dasher can be a great way to earn some extra money on the side!

Whether you have previous delivery experience or are just getting started, DoorDash might be a good platform to begin with.

Remember to consider whether driving for Doordash aligns with your financial goals. If you’re looking to get the most from delivery driving, try our tips to earn more.

Key takeaways:

  • Dashers earn $15.03/hour on average
  • Tips make up around half of these overall earnings
  • You can maximize your earnings by driving during peak hours, choosing high-demand areas, hanging around hotspots, and using multiple food delivery apps.
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