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!
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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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Overall, Uber Eats drivers have mixed reviews—some share positive experiences, while others mention challenges. Here’s a look at some of the feedback:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Delivery By Scooter
Delivery By Bicycle or on Foot
Meeting these basic requirements will help make the onboarding process smoother and set you up to earn a good income.
Looking at the pros and cons of being an Uber Eats driver can help you make an informed decision.
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple sign-up process for delivery drivers | Pay can be inconsistent |
| Easy to track earnings | App issues can make delivery operations harder |
| Immediate payouts | Expenses may increase to boost payouts |
| No need for advanced scheduling | Pay can be low in some areas and cities, considering rising expenses |
| Multiple transportation options |
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.
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:
Your customers want to know when their food will arrive. eLogii keeps them informed with real-time updates on the estimated delivery time.
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.
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.
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.