DoorDash Earnings Guide

Find out how much DoorDash drivers really earn, what affects pay, and tips to boost your take-home income.

Curious how much DoorDash drivers actually take home? Based on our data here at Everlance, DoorDash drivers earn between $20 and $25 per hour, including tips and incentives on average. Earnings can vary based on location, time of day, and delivery efficiency. Top Dashers make over $30/hour in busy markets.

However, your earnings can vary depending on when you drive, where you drive, and how efficiently you manage expenses like gas and maintenance. According to DoorDash, Dashers make up to $25 per hour, including base pay, tips, and incentives. But what does that really mean for your take-home pay?

If you want to boost your DoorDash earnings, it’s not just about working more hours, it’s about working smarter. Successful Dashers know how to make every hour on the road as profitable as possible. From strategic scheduling to efficient route planning, every little decision can make a big difference in your take-home pay.

We’ve helped thousands of DoorDash drivers maximize their earnings and reduce their tax bills. Here’s what you need to know about your potential earnings and how to keep more of what you earn.

How much does DoorDash Pay?

The reality of dashing, like any freelance work, is pay can vary based on factors like location, hours worked, and customer tips. From part-time hustlers to full-time Dashers, your take-home pay depends on how strategically you drive. From our income & expense tracking data, here’s what we’ve found about Dashers’ typical earnings:

How Much Can You Make as a Dasher?

Category	Average Earnings	Details
Part-Time Dashers	$20/hour	Typical for drivers working fewer than 20 hours per week.
Full-Time Dashers	$25/hour	Average rate for drivers working 30-40 hours per week.
High Performers	$30+/hour	For drivers in high-demand areas who optimize peak hours.
Peak Pay Bonuses	$1 - $5 extra per order	Available during busy times as shown in the Dasher app.
Customer Tips	Varies	Dashers keep 100% of tips, which can significantly boost earnings.

➡️ Pro Tip: Your net earnings can increase by tracking your mileage and expenses accurately. Dashers with Everlance save an average of $7,000 per year in tax deductions by tracking their mileage with Everlance.

Tips to increase your earnings

Drive during peak hours

The easiest way to increase your DoorDash earnings is to drive when demand is highest. During peak hours, you’ll have access to more orders, higher tips, and bonus pay opportunities like Peak Pay.

When are DoorDash peak hours?

Lunch (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) During lunch, people are looking for fast, convenient meals, especially in business districts and downtown areas.‍
Dinner (5 p.m. - 9 p.m.) Dinner is the busiest time of day for DoorDash. Many people order delivery instead of cooking, and orders typically have larger totals, which means bigger tips.‍
Late Night (9 p.m. - 12 a.m.) If you live in a college town or a major metro area, late-night delivery demand can be high, especially on weekends.

How Peak Pay works:

DoorDash offers Peak Pay bonuses during busy times, which means you get an additional $1, $2, or more per order. You’ll see these bonuses highlighted in the Dasher app. To take advantage, try to schedule your shifts during these periods and log in early to claim the extra cash.

Stick to Busy Areas with High Demand (Hot Spots = High Pay)

Not all locations are equal. Some areas are filled with order requests, while others have long wait times between orders. To maximize your earnings, stay in high-demand areas where there’s constant order flow. The Dasher app highlights “hot spots” on the map, which are areas with the most delivery requests.

Where are the best places to wait for orders?

Near Popular Restaurants: Fast-casual spots like Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, and Panera Bread generate a high volume of orders. Position yourself near restaurant hubs to get faster deliveries.
Near Shopping Districts: Malls and downtown areas have clusters of restaurants, which means you’ll have more delivery opportunities.
High-Density Urban Areas: If you’re in a city with a high population density, you’ll have more delivery opportunities since people are less likely to drive to get their own food.

Provide great service.

Customer tips are a major part of your total DoorDash earnings, so you want to do everything possible to increase them. Luckily, there are simple ways to encourage better tips through good customer service.

Tips for tips

Send polite updates: After accepting an order, send a quick message like, “Hi [Customer Name], I just picked up your order and will arrive in about 15 minutes!” This builds trust and lets customers know you’re on it.
Use friendly language: Instead of “Your order is delayed,” say, “I’m so sorry, but the restaurant is taking a bit longer than expected. I’m waiting on it now to make sure it gets to you hot and fresh!” This tone is more positive and reassuring.
Smile and say thank you: If you meet customers at the door, be polite, smile, and say, “Thank you for your order!” Small gestures like this lead to bigger tips.

DoorDash drivers keep 100% of customer tips, so it’s worth taking a few extra steps to boost tips on every order.

Track Your Mileage and Expenses

As a DoorDash driver, you’re classified as an independent contractor. This means you’re responsible for paying your own 1099 taxes. But here’s the good news: You can reduce your taxable income by tracking your expenses, and the biggest expense is your DoorDash mileage.

The IRS sets the standard mileage rate every year, allowing you to turn every business mile into cash back in your pocket.

Why does this matter?

Let’s say you drive 10,000 miles for DoorDash in 2025.(The 2025 mileage rate is 70 cents per mile)

10,000 miles x 70 cents = $7,000 in potential tax deductions.

That’s $7,000 you can subtract from your taxable income, which could save you thousands of dollars on taxes. If you don’t track your mileage, you could miss out on these savings.

Common DoorDash Expenses to Track

Expense Category	Description	Deductible?
Mileage	Track all miles driven for deliveries to maximize your tax deduction at the IRS standard mileage rate.	✅ Yes
Phone Bill	A portion of your phone bill can be deducted if you use your phone for DoorDash deliveries.	✅ Yes (Partial)
Vehicle Maintenance	Expenses like oil changes, tire replacements, and repairs related to your delivery work.	✅ Yes
Gas	If using the actual expenses method, gas costs can be deducted. Otherwise, it's included in the standard mileage rate.	✅ Yes (Actual Method)
Insurance	A portion of your car insurance can be deducted if you use your vehicle for deliveries.	✅ Yes (Partial)
Tolls & Parking	Tolls and parking fees you incur while delivering orders.	✅ Yes
Hot Bags & Gear	Any delivery-related equipment, such as insulated hot bags or phone mounts.	✅ Yes
Background Check Fees	Fees paid for background checks required to become a DoorDash driver.	✅ Yes
Vehicle Depreciation	If using the actual expenses method, you may be able to deduct depreciation on your vehicle.	✅ Yes (Actual Method)
Vehicle Expenses AND Mileage	While it's good to track both, you must choose one deduction method: either actual vehicle expenses or mileage.	❌ No
Health Insurance	If you're self-employed, you may qualify for a health insurance deduction.	✅ Yes (Self-Employed)

💡 Pro Tip: Use Everlance to automatically track mileage and categorize expenses in real time. The more organized your records, the more you can save at tax time!

How to track your mileage automatically

We've partnered with DoorDash to help Dashers never miss a mile or expense. Instead of manually writing down your miles, use the GPS build right into your phone to track your business mileage in the background, and get a tax-ready report for the end of the year.
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Take Advantage of DoorDash Perks & Discounts

DoorDash offers drivers access to one of the most robust perks and discounts programs across the entire gig economy. This program's goal is to reduce your expenses and increase your earnings. These perks include discounts on fuel, insurance, phone plans, and more.

Ultimately, how much you earn as a DoorDash driver comes down to strategy, driving at the right times, managing your expenses, and maximizing your tax deductions. By working smarter, not harder, you can boost your take-home pay and reduce financial stress.

Ready to start Dashing and maximize your earnings? Whether you’re a full-time Dasher or a part-time gig worker, knowing how much you can earn is just the start. With Everlance, you can track your mileage, expenses, and earnings to ensure you’re getting the most out of every delivery.

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Everlance & DoorDash have partnered to help Dashers save thousands on taxes every year

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