Gig Workers Question Profitability
Uber and DoorDash drivers are questioning the financial viability of their work, citing low earnings, high expenses (gas, maintenance), and unpredictable demand. They're seeking clarity on how to maximize income in a challenging market.
SOURCES (60)
“We all know what return Uber is making off us, so I decided to join the club and bought stock in Uber. Granted I’m just a part time driver, but I’ve made more in August in unrealized gains as a stockholder than I did in…”
“Now do the same for uber drivers rent out their car real estate for advertising. Has to take a photo of the sticker every month twice or they don’t get paid 🤣”
“I normally Uber for 10 hours straight every Saturday into Sunday morning, usually about 30 rides in total, as well as 6 hour blocks on Thursday and Friday. This past week I didn't do a single ride, then on Monday I get a promotion for $250 for 10 rides. Needless to say with the pathetic tips it would not have been a worthwhile day without the promo. submitted by /u/KaiserVonDixie [link] [comments]”
“Empower is pretty amazing and pushing hard on Uber and Lyft's idea that they control the rideshare market. Drivers keep 100% of the fare paid less a few cents Virtually no driver administrative control No fake rider complaints deactivating you No stupid driver metrics and scoring No driving time limits Driver monthly fee is more than reasonable Simple thumbs up thumbs down rating system Most of all Empower is 100% free of Uber's driver control, driver threats, dictatorship culture and fa”
“Don’t worry guys, it comes with a $6 Boost+ included so that will definitely help 🤣 submitted by /u/MoneylineMikey [link] [comments]”
“Here in uk when a rider goes over 2 min waiting time we get 0.34 per min waiting time added, not for driving just for sitting still waiting not put any miles on the car or using any fuel. So why does uber keep offering me jobs that involve actually driving and using fuel for less than the waiting time rate? Waiting time £1.02 for every 3 mins , eg a job that’s 15 mins of total drive time and 4+ miles distance offered at £4.67 !! No way I’m driving for less than the waiting time. Multiply the tot”
“I do this full time and can clear six figures after expenses.* If your market sucks, move, or quit, but nobody wants to hear about how Uber is screwing you over, because newsflash...no they're not! *Based on what I average per hour after expenses in my market, I am capable of making six figures after expenses, but due to my lack of ambition, I am broke. submitted by /u/IShartOnTheFirstDate [link] [comments]”
“Hello everyone. I’m looking for a side hustle that is built around riding my ebike. I have a job that keeps me busy during typical work hours, but afterwards I like to ride my ebike. I heard of someone who turned their ebike riding into delivery work and thought was a good idea. I live in a moderately sized city, so I thought I might be able to do the same. The money is fairly secondary, although I do like the idea of a side hustle to bring in extra money (my current side hustle is built around”
“Maybe it’s just me, but hear me out. I do Uber part time. Two to three hours a day, three or four days a week. Longer on weekends. During the week I have a goal of $50 a day, then I head home. On weekends the goal is closer to $100. Lately, every time I receive a Trip Radar offer that pays well to a nice area, I accept it. Then either I receive a “Rider Cancelled” or “All trips are taken”. Then they start sending nickel and diming trips of $3 to $4. Is it me, or is Uber known to choose what driv”
“Does anyone here still get a $1/ mile trips for longer trips (10plus miles). It's insane how bad it is. peak hours . 3-9 a.m weekdays ( airport runs included). Weekends (10-3am) . Charging riders more and barely playing drivers. I was making well over $30/hr a few months ago. Uber advertises $22/hr as high pay in our messages, last 2 weeks legitimately (17/hr). This has to be hell man. I drive more hours for less pay now. Acceptance rate is in the gutter and i am not super picky. The rare go”
“So I got a new job and cant afford an uber at the moment (thats why I need the job). I need to be able to get to work tomorrow and my escooter is failing me so I need to get an uber. Could I possibly negotiate with the driver or someone in the app and let them know Ill pay them when I have the money? submitted by /u/John-theFisherman [link] [comments]”
“thanks to people on this sub who share useful tips; no hate on the rants, but there are people here (like me) that don‘t have any choice right now but to drive Uber so the advice really helps this is just 4:00am to about 7:50am (i took one break); i could have done more but traffic gets pretty annoying 8:00 - 9:00 so i headed home anyway, this was a strict minimum of a dollar per mile, most of it was more but it was at most 4 gallons of gas (i get average 30mpg), so subtract about $16 for gas an”
“I’m considering doing Uber rides to earn some extra money. I have a full-time job Monday to Friday, and I’d like to do something after work during the week as well as on weekends. My goal would be to make around $1,000 extra per month. I was thinking about Uber, but I’m not sure if it’s actually worth it after taking into account gas, car maintenance, taxes, and other expenses. I’d love to hear from people who already do Uber rides. Is it worth it? How much do you realistically make per month? T”
“I drove for uber 8 years ago and loved it but hated putting the miles and wear and tear on my new car, so I quit. Now that I’m retired from my career, it’s something I’d like to do again but find the current app and the scams, and problems with uber and customers, etc. a bit overwhelming. Is it likely I will be able to relearn navigating all of this fairly quickly? Is it likely that I can make enough to supplement my retirement income if renting an uber car, or is it a waste of my time and money”
“Location - Kansas City, MO Started doing Uber after my company reduced my hours due to AI adoption. I have been doing it around 30 hours a week since last month. Learning from this sub, I have been rejecting the majority of offers that throw 40-50 cents per mile and I have consistently done most trips with over 70cents a mile. I can count the $1 mile offers on my fingers that I only got from airport. I drive a 10-year-old corolla which has been paid off, already ramped 5000 plus miles and needs”
“Found full-time work, and after having to drive rideshare full-time far too long, getting free of Uber is like doing backflips off of a pirate ship. Just enough good memories of freedom, booty, and smooth sailing to ignore how shitty it starts to feel, pretending it isn’t scurvy. Something about being able to work alone will always be priceless, and that is so much of the hook.….that, and “magic beans.” Begin doing this stuff and you’re on your own pace, immediate pay feels good, you’re sniffing”
“Every single person had a different percentage take and for Other, once person even tracked evidence the were increasing both their take and “other” the more he drove. Uber was taking over 30% and his other % was at 15% vs. mines at 10%. I wonder if this is worthy of a class action lawsuit considering we’re all in the same market and the percentages we’re off the wall and made zero sense. submitted by /u/Optimal_Willow_4389 [link] [comments]”
“Hello so I recently purchased a 2018 Chevy Cruz LT and I was wondering what platform to use so I can kill time and supply my business with extra income when I’m bored. I don’t really like interacting with people that much but since the platforms can leverage my personal business… I don’t mind making it work so for experienced drivers how do you determine which rides pays more and what are tips to have a constant flow of money without spending much on gas per day or week? Does anyone use commerci”
“This benefits us both. Im happy. I need to go out and find more customers. Off app pf course. I can work all day with Uber. From sun up to sun down. In terrible heat. Cramped in a small car. And barely touch $150. Several customers like this i can make $150 easily. Even bring others who drive on board. This is the better way. Its so hard to make $150 when the majority of the rides are paying $3 and $4 bucks. Ive had others ask. I have one other customer. Who also pays instantly so far. sub”
“Think they will pass the savings to the drivers? submitted by /u/tincup3399 [link] [comments]”
“Trying to make extra cash in my free time. Is it worth it / profitable enough to do uber/lyft/instacart 3-4 nights a week? I live in Long Beach NY. Thanks in advance submitted by /u/TheDabBandit [link] [comments]”
“Does anyone know if uber has a tracker like lyft does where it shows you miles while booked?? submitted by /u/Potential-Jacket-173 [link] [comments]”
“I can make twice this amount doing Uber in my neighborhood within the same timeframe. I can’t believeI was on a waiting list for this shhh to open up 😂 I do still want to TRY one block though, to see what the actual experience is like. Even though it will likely mean putting DUMB miles on my car. submitted by /u/giveDsumMeNomoHo [link] [comments]”
“Hey Atlanta Drivers, Over the past few months, our local team has been working on bringing a driver-first regional alternative to major rideshare apps in Georgia under our active GA DPS permit authorization. Our Core Platform Model: 70% Direct Daily Payouts: Transparent payouts with no fluctuating platform commission takes. No Surge Pricing: Consistent, reliable fares for riders and drivers alike. Vehicle Classification: Auto-classified multi-tier fare structures (Eco, Lux, Luxish, etc.). Statew”
“And before anyone says “it’s your market” it’s really not. I’ve actually been told that where I moved to isn’t especially good for gig work. This is possible in the vast majority of medium sized to big cities. You just have to be on as many gig apps as possible and know how to utilize them. This includes working at the right times and not taking bad orders to keep your tier status. My acceptance rate is almost always in the single digits on every app. submitted by /u/mitchdwx [link]”
“I’m really glad I have a FT job and Uber is strictly a side hustle for me. I’ve only been doing it for about 5 months, and honestly, I mostly drive when I want a little extra money for fun, trips, shopping, going out, etc. I’m in a pretty good ATL market, so there’s definitely money to be made, but I still cherry-pick. I’m not chasing every single offer that comes through. If it doesn’t make sense, I’m declining it. If I accept something and realize it’s not worth it, I’m canceling when I need t”
“I’ve been with Uber for a good while now and have had my own grievances and continue to have grievances, but I want to get some more tips from any veteran or new Uber drivers to better optimize money-making. Do yall sit in a hotspot until you get rides, or do you drive around until you get a hit? Does the cancellation rate ACTUALLY affect us? I can’t help but notice that every time I reject a shit trip, the next two or three trips Uber throws at me are instantly “unmatched” or I have to wait a w”
“If you’re Ubering looking for part time gigs driving Assisted Living Residents to Physical Therapy, Doctors Appointments, Nail Salons, CVS and the like using company vehicles. Please DM. submitted by /u/ChipDouglasIII [link] [comments]”
“yess, calculated that. i make a bit over $2400 a month w lyft. so im estimating $1000 a month in pocket. and yes, its so so stupid! i only did it bc i had to. i applied literally everywhere. but bc my typical schedule is 7-7, id only be able to work 7-12am + weeekends not many places were willing to hire me with that schedule. but yeah, it’s 476 a week with the rental and 300 a week that I make for myself after”
“Thinking to make the switch, but the process is so long winded to get the licence. Currently doing uber eats. Is it worth the transition? submitted by /u/EvidenceSingle4826 [link] [comments]”
“Hi everyone, A family friend has been doing uber around the bay for a year now after he lost his CDL because of immigration stuff… He has been driving after 6 pm until 4AM. But most of his income comes from reservations. Specially from and to airport. He noticed recently that are not many reservations anymore, is anyone else noticing this? Or he is doing something wrong? Thanks! submitted by /u/Mehdiha73 [link] [comments]”
“Would you rent a car for a fixed % of earnings with insurance included if it had a minimum hours you had to work a week? And if yes what % would be the max you would pay for? Car qualifies for UberX only and does 30Mpg. Question is mainly to people who currently drive their own car, but feel free to answer if you are currently renting. submitted by /u/PineappleMan22 [link] [comments]”
“Maybe just do 2 late nights a week. That's what I'm gonna do. It's too good of money and exposure to ignore imo. And it's consistent”
“Hello, anyone here drive for Uber in Vegas who has used a car from a Rideshare Rental company (Not from Uber Marketplace)? I'd like to ask a few questions before I commit. Ty! submitted by /u/jv_cm24 [link] [comments]”
“Hello, anyone here drive for Uber in Vegas who has used a car from a Rideshare Rental company (Not from Uber Marketplace)? I'd like to ask a few questions before I commit. Ty! submitted by /u/jv_cm24 [link] [comments]”
“Hey y’all, never posted here before but I’ve been a long/time lurker, and I’ve been driving DoorDash on the side of my other job(s) for several months now and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve gotten really tired of balancing multiple jobs as opposed to just a singular source of income, and I’ve been really curious what percentage of you guys are full time Dashers? For those of you that are, does it make an actual living if you put enough time into it? Does it pay the bills, does it cover car costs,”
“I've multi-apped but mostly been on Uber and only occasionally use Lyft when Uber was slow. But lately Lyft has been both showing me the money and had a lot more rides than it used to in this town. What I've noticed about lift Riders is they seem to understand the Rideshare deal and come with far less entitlement. I've had passengers in every kind of situation for example someone who had been working hard and was kind of dirty they brought a big black trash bag to put over the seat s”
“Hey all, I’m a part time driver, usually weekends. I’m curious about those of you who drive uber 40+ hours per week, how much are you earning on average? Is it possible to make $1,500 in one week? submitted by /u/redituzrnam [link] [comments]”
“Been driving part time while between roles and finally sat down last weekend to figure out what I'm actually clearing after gas and wear on the car. Spoiler: less than I thought, but still worth it for now. What I'm trying to sort out is whether to treat this money as a completely separate bucket or just fold it into the household budget. Right now I'm running it through a separate account so I can see exactly what's coming in and going out, and it's been eyeopening. Some wee”
“Lyft drivers were once Uber drivers submitted by /u/TerribleAssumption [link] [comments]”
“After almost 3 years doing this gig I’ve noticed the fares keep getting lower. Cherry picking doesn’t work in my market because they’ll just stop telling me how long the rides are and how much I’ll make. Am I missing some sort of strategy to make this a viable income? It feels like I’m paying to drive for uber at this point. submitted by /u/thechosenalien [link] [comments]”
“Dear Drivers, I kindly request your assistance. I drive Uber Black in the Tampa Bay area (Chevy Suburban 2026), but as you know, this season has been slow. Do you know of any companies or apps that provide decent limo requests, aside from Luxyride or Blacklane? Additionally, I would appreciate your recommendations for the best template for a professional business card that I can give to private clients. Lastly, I would like guidance on how to create a professional invoice for trips with my priva”
“My last post got me thinking about this question. Do you think DoorDash, Uber Eats or multi apping between the two, is a worthwhile gig in an average market and why or why not? submitted by /u/Odd-Can5177 [link] [comments]”
“Open your Uber apps!! There are high earnings right now!!!! Like always when you are offline. submitted by /u/OrganicandUgly [link] [comments]”
“u can pay the long rides for your friends and do no tip and still maintain that high ratio! $68, $51 dollar rides yesterday for my friend . didnt tip! saved some money still have a 4.98 rating! submitted by /u/Boogermanforgenesis [link] [comments]”
“And what makes you think I wouldn't do that? Subreddits are a source of information like anything else. When I asked about Ubering in Philly I got a bunch of helpful answers.Ask about BJ's cheap membership in that subreddit? Five minutes later got a discount code. Seriously guys. I don't know what it is about this subreddit. But if can't answer the question, just keep it moving.”
“Here in Ontario you can rent from Hertz for $500 CDN per week and seems popular. I’m thinking $30 per driving hour is about the most I would pay. submitted by /u/liverpooleg [link] [comments]”
“Has anyone started Uber driving recently like within the last 1 month in UK ? What is your real views if you put the hours in ? submitted by /u/FarSheepherder4967 [link] [comments]”
“I guess the first and most important question is how do you optimize offers? So far I’ve completed 29 trips for $222 over the last 3 days (8 active hours and 21 “dash time” hours = online hours?) That seems really low. How are they legally able to not consider waiting in hot zones as active hours? We spend money and time driving to these zones. This current rate comes out like $2.66 an hour, but of course active hours it checks out to $27/hour. But wtf, sitting here waiting for a trip is literal”
“AI summary of the situation because I’m in between rides and wanted to reach out to support ASAP but I’ll respond to comments personally whenever I get to a place where I can charge my car. Of course their answer to this was “the rider cancelled.” The rider said they did not cancel. I also did not receive a cancellation fee for being almost at the location within the 30 minute period. These screenshots clearly show that Uber cancelled a higher-paying offer and immediately re-offered me the exact”
“The most uncalled for dirty disgraceful HOSING of drivers I ever seen. Uber pocketed 75-86% for a period of time after the show. I immediately checked prices on 3 offers. I took off $5-10 per quote to account for a few dollars drop in customer pricing. 75%, 84%, and 86% keep! WOW! I opted for cash-app ride 8 miles for $50. Gold, Diamond, Charity-Pro-Perk, I Accept Everything Drivers enabled this behavior by the app. $73 quote I reduced to 67. $134 I reduced to $125 $126 I reduced to $115. Yes, U”
“Uber does pays good if you know how to work the system. Consistently I’ve been making as much as this and the only way to do it is buy only doing rides that are short while also competing your quest. Never take rides that are 10 minutes plus and never take any rides that doesn’t pay $2 or less a mile! submitted by /u/Wavyanthon [link] [comments]”