Uber Eats Delivery: How Much Does It Pay Per Delivery

Uber Eats is one of the top food delivery apps worldwide, providing many drivers with a solid income. In fact, drivers and couriers using Uber Eats earned a total of $7.9 billion in 2021. But a lot of gig workers are still unsure how the Uber Eats payment system works.

So, how much do Uber Eats drivers make per delivery? What factors influence their pay? And what do you need to become a driver for Uber Eats? We’ll answer all these questions in this blog, plus give you more details to help you decide if working with Uber Eats is right for you. Let’s get started!

In this post:

• What is Uber Eats?
• How Much Do Uber Eats Drivers Make?
• How to Become an Uber Eats Driver
• Uber Eats Driver Reviews
• Pros and Cons of Being an Uber Eats Delivery Driver
• Deliver Food Faster with eLogii Route Planner
• FAQs On How Much Does Uber Eats Pay Per Delivery
• Is Driving for Uber Eats Worth It?

What is Uber Eats?

Uber Eats is a top food delivery app that connects customers with their favorite restaurants. It operates in over 6,000 cities around the world, making sure food gets delivered right to the customer’s door in great condition.

The platform helps restaurants boost sales from both dine-in and delivery orders. That also means more job opportunities for independent delivery drivers. Uber Eats drivers can choose to accept or decline deliveries based on what works for them, and they earn money depending on factors like distance, location, and order cost.

How Does Uber Eats Work?

To order food on Uber Eats, users just need to download the app and create an account. Once signed up, they can browse restaurants, choose their favorite meals, and place an order. The app lets users track their delivery in real-time and have the food brought right to their door. They can also leave ratings and feedback if they want.

For drivers, those who want to deliver with Uber Eats sign up, make sure they meet the vehicle requirements and pass a background check. When they’re ready to work, they go online to accept delivery requests. After accepting an order, drivers pick it up from the restaurant and deliver it to the customer. Drivers earn money based on things like distance and time, and they can get ratings and feedback from both the customers and restaurants.

Overall, Uber Eats is a flexible and easy-to-use platform for food delivery, benefiting both customers and drivers.

How Much Do Uber Eats Drivers Make?

Uber Eats drivers can earn a good income thanks to the many earning opportunities on the platform. How much a driver makes can vary, but on average, drivers in the U.S. earn about $15.23 per hour or more, depending on factors like location, time, and demand.

Drivers can maximize their earnings by working in the highest-paying cities, where the base pay is higher and there are more delivery orders.

Here are the cities where Uber Eats drivers tend to make the most:

• New York City
• Austin
• Portland
• Houston
• Atlanta
• Chicago
• Los Angeles

As an Uber Eats driver, choosing to work in these top cities can help you get better pay and keep a steady stream of delivery orders coming in.

Factors Uber Eats Considers When Calculating Pay

Uber Eats drivers are paid based on a mix of factors, including a trip supplement, delivery fares, promotions, and tips from customers. However, actual payouts can vary during real deliveries.

To increase your earnings, it's important to understand how Uber Eats calculates pay. This helps you make better choices when accepting delivery requests.

1. Base Fare

The base fare is a key part of how Uber Eats drivers are paid. It includes the pickup, drop-off, and the total distance of the delivery.

The pickup fee is what drivers earn for going to the restaurant to collect the order. If a driver has to visit more than one restaurant for a single delivery, a multiplier is added to the pickup fee. The drop-off fee is what drivers make for delivering food to the customer. If multiple orders are being dropped off at the same location, drivers earn a delivery fee for each order. The distance fee is calculated per mile, based on the distance between the restaurant and the customer. It’s estimated using the most fuel-efficient route, so using tools or the Uber Eats app to find the quickest delivery route can help.

2. Trip Supplement

Drivers also receive trip supplements, or extra money, for completing longer trips. For example, if a delivery involves tolls or other extra costs, Uber reimburses drivers through the app.

This helps protect your earnings and covers any additional expenses, making deliveries smoother.

3. Uber Delivery Promotions

Drivers can take advantage of surge promotions in certain areas or at local restaurants where orders are booming. These promotions can boost payouts and help drivers handle high-demand orders more effectively.

For instance, drivers in New York might see higher base fares or drop-off fees in busy parts of the city compared to quieter rural areas with fewer deliveries.

4. Customer Tips

Another way drivers earn extra is through customer tips. Uber Eats sends 100% of the tips directly to the driver’s bank account, with no split.

Offering great customer service during deliveries can help you earn solid tips, which go straight into your account right away.

How to Become an Uber Eats Driver

If you want to deliver food with Uber Eats, follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Availability

First, see if Uber Eats is available in your area. If it is, make sure you meet the driver requirements, which we’ll cover below.

Step 2: Sign Up

Go to the Uber Eats website or download the app and sign up to become a delivery driver. You’ll need to enter your details, like your name, contact info, and proof of identity.

Step 3: Complete a Background Check

After signing up, Uber Eats will run a background check as part of their hiring process. This includes looking at your driving record and criminal history, which may take a few days to complete.

Step 4: Start Accepting Deliveries

Once everything is approved, you can start accepting delivery requests through the app. You’ll have the flexibility to work whenever it suits your schedule.

Uber Eats Driver Reviews

Overall, Uber Eats drivers have mixed reviews—some share positive experiences, while others mention challenges. Here’s a look at some of the feedback:

1. Easy to Start

Many drivers appreciate the simple onboarding process, allowing them to start working soon after signing up. This makes the platform efficient when it comes to hiring.

2. Incentives and Bonuses

Uber Eats is praised for offering bonuses and incentives. Drivers can earn extra by working during busy times or after completing a certain number of deliveries.

3. Work Flexibility

The flexibility of choosing work hours is a big plus for many drivers. It lets them work around their schedule and even use Uber Eats as a side hustle.

4. Inconsistency

While there are benefits, some drivers find their earnings inconsistent. Irregular delivery requests and lower demand at times can make it harder to earn a steady income.

5. Accessibility

Some drivers like the user-friendly app, which helps them complete deliveries smoothly. However, others have noticed app glitches during peak hours, which can cause issues.

Uber Eats Driver Requirements

If you want to become an Uber Eats driver, there are different options you can choose from.

Uber Eats will conduct a background check to make sure there are no criminal records and that your information is accurate before you start.

Here’s what you need for each type of delivery:

Delivery By Car

• Be eligible to drive in your city
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Provide a valid Social Security number
• Use a 2 or 4-door car

Delivery By Scooter

• Be at least 19 years old
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Provide a valid Social Security number
• Select scooter as your delivery method
• Use a motorized scooter under 50cc

Delivery By Bicycle or on Foot

• Be at least 18 years old
• Provide a valid Social Security number
• Have a government-issued ID
• Choose bicycle or foot as your delivery method

Meeting these basic requirements will help make the onboarding process smoother and set you up to earn a good income.

Pros and Cons of Being an Uber Eats Delivery Driver

Looking at the pros and cons of being an Uber Eats driver can help you make an informed decision.

To address some of the downsides, you can use professional route planning software. This helps you find the shortest and most efficient delivery routes, saving on expenses and boosting productivity.

Using the right route planner can also improve your uptime and reduce issues with the Uber Eats app.

Choosing the best route planning software for your Uber Eats deliveries might seem daunting, but our team has picked the top options to help you earn more and manage your income better.

Deliver Food Faster with eLogii Route Planner

eLogii is a powerful route planning tool designed to make your food delivery operations smoother by providing the shortest and most efficient routes. With eLogii, you can save on fuel, boost your efficiency, and complete more deliveries. Here’s how eLogii can help you:

1. Keeps Your Customers Updated

Your customers want to know when their food will arrive. eLogii keeps them informed with real-time updates on the estimated delivery time.

2. No More Delays

eLogii creates optimized routes that account for one-way streets, ferries, and tolls, helping you avoid delays. This means you spend less time on the road and can deliver more orders.

3. Provides Delivery Proof

For Uber Eats drivers, having proof of delivery is crucial. eLogii lets you capture e-signatures, take photos, and add notes at each stop, helping you stay accountable and keep your team informed.

FAQs On How Much Does Uber Eats Pay Per Delivery

Is Driving for Uber Eats Worth It?

After reviewing how Uber Eats drivers are paid and other job aspects, the decision to drive for Uber Eats is up to you. Whether it's worth it depends on your personal preferences and situation.

Driving for Uber Eats can be a good choice if you want a flexible job with the potential to earn well. Just be ready to handle the challenges that come with it.

Even with many delivery routes, route planning doesn’t have to be a hassle. Using smart route optimization software like eLogii can save you time and fuel costs, making your job easier.