How much do you get paid per delivery for doordash

If you’re looking for an active side hustle that will get you moving around your town or city, consider providing delivery services through DoorDash. DoorDash hires people like you to make deliveries on behalf of local restaurants.

Depending on your location, you might not need a car to deliver food for DoorDash, but instead can deliver on foot, bicycle or scooter. The high demand for delivery service these days means a potentially lucrative side hustle for anyone looking to make extra spending money or pay down their student debt.

Here are the questions this DoorDash review will seek to answer, including how much real “Dashers” make:

  • How much money can DoorDash delivery ‘Dashers’ make?
  • Does DoorDash offer any bonus incentives?
  • What are the costs involved for Dashers?
  • What are the pros of being a DoorDash Dasher?
  • What are the cons of being a DoorDash Dasher?

DoorDash review

DoorDash developed a business model that’s twofold. First, they partner with restaurants that don’t currently offer delivery services and then offer them third-party delivery workers. That third party consists of anyone who signs up for DoorDash and wants to make deliveries on behalf of local eateries; they’re known as Dashers.

As a Dasher, you download the app, choose blocks of time you are available to make deliveries in your area and then get assignments making deliveries on behalf of those local restaurants.

To become a Dasher, you must meet certain requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have a smartphone to access the app for delivery assignments.
  • Have a valid driver’s license, insurance and a good driving record (if applicable). Some locations don’t require that you have a car.
  • Provide your Social Security number for a background check.

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How much money can DoorDash delivery ‘Dashers’ make?

Dashers are paid for each delivery based on their location. They also receive tips. They will also get paid extra if a delivery requires a long travel distance or is especially difficult (for instance, if it requires a long wait time at a restaurant).

As a Dasher, you make $2 to $10+ per order, plus additional pay for promotions and 100% of the tip. You could get extra promotional pay if you work during peak hours, have to drive to deliver your order or meet certain challenges, such as completing a certain number of deliveries in a set period of time. Luckily, you will know the minimum amount you can earn before accepting an order.

“We didn’t want a ton of debt when she got out of school,” said Armaye Ejigu of Washington D.C. “So, I started dashing and would make between $18 to $20 an hour, sometimes even $25 an hour.”

“How much you can make can vary a ton depending on how much you work and when you work,” said Kevin Han of Minneapolis. “I do it on my bike and can bring in a few hundred a month just doing it a little bit after work and on weekends. Obviously, the more you work, the more you can make. I’d say $15 to $25 an hour is reasonable to expect.”

Does DoorDash offer any bonus incentives?

There are also other incentives to make more money, like making lots of deliveries in a certain amount of time or getting a new Dasher to sign up. Much like Uber’s peak period where rates for riders increase, DoorDash has a “Peak Pay” period where you can make even more during popular times.

When looking for DoorDash jobs, it’s important to look up your city’s rules, regulations and rates to get a better sense of how much you could be making. This includes information on whether your market allows deliveries where a car isn’t necessary, since places such as New York permit cycling, scooting or even walking for your deliveries.

What are the costs involved for Dashers?

While DoorDash is a great way to make some steady extra cash on your time, you’ll want to take some costs into consideration.

First, since you are considered a contractor and not a full-time employee no matter how many hours you work, you’ll be in charge of withholding your taxes. When you get paid, which happens weekly, it will be a gross amount. Taxes and Social Security are not calculated.

If you earn $600 or more from DoorDash in a year, the company will use the banking and tax information on your account to send you a 1099 form by Jan. 31.

Dashers also have the option of getting their earned money by the next day with the Fast Pay program. However, you will have to pay an additional $1.99 per expedited transfer.

One of the biggest expenses many Dashers will have to incur are the costs associated with driving a car. This will not affect those who are on foot, bike, or scooter.

The most regular expenses to consider are gas and insurance. You’ll likely also have to cover maintenance costs for your vehicle, and should take depreciation into consideration, as well.

Lastly, you may have to cover any parking costs associated with your delivery. DoorDash does not reimburse for parking fees, tolls or tickets.

What are the pros of being a DoorDash Dasher?

There are several factors about DoorDash that make it appealing to people. Here are some of the top ones.

  • Flexibility: Making your schedule is a major selling point for those looking for an easy side hustle. You just log on to the app, see which time slots are available and choose the one the best works in your schedule. Also, being able to decide which deliveries you want to take on means you can have better control over knowing how much you can make per day.

“Another nice advantage with DoorDash is that, unlike many other delivery platforms, DoorDash actually shows you where the order is going, which means that, if you’re smart, you can make it so that your deliveries are going in the direction you’re already headed,” Han said.

For example, if you’re leaving work, try to do deliveries that are already heading towards your house. This essentially helps you monetize your commute.

  • No need for a car: If you happen to live in one of the locations where a car is not necessary, such as New York or San Francisco, then you can still make money like the drivers without the added costs of a car. “In my market, I can do deliveries on my bike,” says Han. “It’s basically like I’m getting paid to exercise.”
  • No customer interaction: “I also liked that I didn’t have to deal with a customer,” says Ejigu. “When I tried Uber, I would have to sit with a passenger. With DoorDash, I just pick up the food at the restaurant and drop it off with the customer. I’m totally independent and don’t have to deal with the stress of long customer interactions.”
  • Safety: While every delivery is different and can come with some safety concerns since you’re approaching private homes at times, some Dashers believe it’s a very safe option. In one DoorDash review, a Dasher named Maria Salazar said that not having to carry cash makes her less of a target than traditional delivery drivers who often have to handle transactions on the spot. Since payment is all done through the app, there’s no reason to carry large amounts of cash on you.
  • Tips and incentives: In addition to earning money from DoorDash for a delivery, Dashers like that they get to keep every penny of their tips. The incentives for making more deliveries and signing up other Dashers also makes this side hustle more appealing and lucrative.
  • Quick payments: Unlike with a traditional job where you have to wait two weeks to get paid or other contract work where it could take 30 days to receive payment, DoorDash pays you every week. This means you can have a steady flow of extra cash or collect it sooner if a sudden payment is due.

What are the cons of being a DoorDash Dasher?

While there are a number of positives to being a Dasher, there are some downsides to consider.

  • Outside costs: Depending on where you work and live, costs for parking, bike or car maintenance could add up.
  • Schedules can book up: You can choose which hours you want to work, but Dashers have complained that popular times get filled quickly.
  • Delivery times range: Sometimes your deliveries can be completed quickly, but you are at the whim of the restaurant’s schedule, too. So if they have a backlog or take a while to prepare a meal, you could be stuck waiting. The same goes for how long it will take to get to your delivery destination. Your drive could be 30 minutes or five to make a delivery.

Want to start making money with DoorDash? Head to our side hustle marketplace for easy-to-follow instructions.

Rebecca Safier contributed to this story.

Interested in refinancing student loans?

Here are the top 9 lenders of 2022!

LenderVariable APREligible Degrees 
How much do you get paid per delivery for doordash
2.49% – 8.65%1 Undergrad
& Graduate

Visit Splash

How much do you get paid per delivery for doordash
2.50% – 6.80%2 Undergrad
& Graduate

Visit Laurel Road

How much do you get paid per delivery for doordash
2.81% – 7.21%3 Undergrad
& Graduate

Visit Lendkey

How much do you get paid per delivery for doordash
2.49% – 7.99%4 Undergrad
& Graduate

Visit Earnest

How much do you get paid per delivery for doordash
3.24% – 7.99%5 Undergrad
& Graduate

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How much do you get paid per delivery for doordash
3.24% – 8.24%6 Undergrad
& Graduate

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How much do you get paid per delivery for doordash
2.48% – 7.24% Undergrad
& Graduate

Visit Elfi

How much do you get paid per delivery for doordash
1.74% – 7.99%7 Undergrad
& Graduate

Visit Purefy

How much do you get paid per delivery for doordash
3.69% – 9.92%8 Undergrad
& Graduate

Visit Citizens

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2 Important Disclosures for Laurel Road.

All credit products are subject to credit approval.

Laurel Road began originating student loans in 2013 and has since helped thousands of professionals with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees consolidate and refinance more than $9 billion in federal and private school loans. Laurel Road also offers a suite of online graduate school loan products and personal loans that help simplify lending through customized technology and personalized service. In April 2019, Laurel Road was acquired by KeyBank, one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies. Laurel Road is a brand of KeyBank National Association offering online lending products in all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. All loans are provided by KeyBank National Association, a nationally chartered bank. Member FDIC. For more information, visit www.laurelroad.com.

As used throughout these Terms & Conditions, the term “Lender” refers to KeyBank National Association and its affiliates, agents, guaranty insurers, investors, assigns, and successors in interest.

  1. Checking your rate with Laurel Road only requires a soft credit pull, which will not affect your credit score. To proceed with an application, a hard credit pull will be required, which may affect your credit score.
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Assumptions: Repayment examples above assume a loan amount of $10,000 with repayment beginning immediately following disbursement. Repayment examples do not include the 0.25% AutoPay Discount.

Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): This term represents the actual cost of financing to the borrower over the life of the loan expressed as a yearly rate.

Interest Rate: A simple annual rate that is applied to an unpaid balance.

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KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

This information is current as of October 31, 2022. Information and rates are subject to change without notice.


3 Important Disclosures for LendKey.

Refinancing via LendKey.com is only available for applicants with qualified private education loans from an eligible institution. Loans that were used for exam preparation classes, including, but not limited to, loans for LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE preparation, are not eligible for refinancing with a lender via LendKey.com. If you currently have any of these exam preparation loans, you should not include them in an application to refinance your student loans on this website. Applicants must be either U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents in an eligible state to qualify for a loan. Certain membership requirements (including the opening of a share account and any applicable association fees in connection with membership) may apply in the event that an applicant wishes to accept a loan offer from a credit union lender. Lenders participating on LendKey.com reserve the right to modify or discontinue the products, terms, and benefits offered on this website at any time without notice. LendKey Technologies, Inc. is not affiliated with, nor does it  endorse,  any educational institution.

Subject to floor rate and may require the automatic payments be made from a checking or savings account with the lender. The rate reduction will be removed and the rate will be increased by 0.25% upon any cancellation or failed collection attempt of the automatic payment and will be suspended during any period of deferment or forbearance. As a result, during the forbearance or suspension period, and/or if the automatic payment is canceled, any increase will take the form of higher payments. The lowest advertised variable APR is only available for loan terms of  5 years and is reserved for applicants with FICO scores of at least 810.

As of 10/26/2022 student loan refinancing rates range from 2.81% APR – 7.21%APR Variable APR with AutoPay and 3.99% APR – 10.68 APR% Fixed APR with AutoPay.


4 Rate range above includes optional 0.25% Auto Pay discount. Important Disclosures for Earnest.

You can choose between fixed and variable rates. Fixed interest rates are 3.99% – 8.74% APR (3.74% – 8.49% APR with Auto Pay discount). Starting variable interest rates are 2.74% APR to 8.24% APR (2.49% – 7.99% APR with Auto Pay discount). Variable rates are based on an index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a margin. Variable rates are reset monthly based on the fluctuation of the index. We do not currently offer variable rate loans in AK, CO, CT, HI, IL, KY, MA, MN, MS, NH, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, and VA.


5 Important Disclosures for Navient.

You can choose between fixed and variable rates. Fixed interest rates are 4.24% – 9.24% APR (3.99% – 8.99% APR with Auto Pay discount). Starting variable interest rates are 3.49% APR to 8.24% APR (3.24% – 7.99% APR with Auto Pay discount). Variable rates are based on an index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a margin. Variable rates are reset monthly based on the fluctuation of the index. We do not currently offer variable rate loans in AK, CO, CT, HI, IL, KY, MA, MN, MS, NH, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, and VA.


6 Important Disclosures for SoFi.

Fixed rates range from 3.99% APR to 8.24% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. Variable rates from 3.24% APR to 8.24% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates on 5-, 7-, and 10-year terms are capped at 8.95% APR; 15- and 20-year terms are capped at 9.95% APR. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer and a variety of other factors. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit lowers your interest rate but does not change the amount of your monthly payment. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment and forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.


7 Important Disclosures for Purefy.

Purefy Student Loan Refinancing Rate and Terms Disclosure: Annual Percentage Rates (APR) ranges and examples are based on information provided to Purefy by lenders participating in Purefy’s rate comparison platform. For student loan refinancing, the participating lenders offer fixed rates ranging from 2.73% – 7.99% APR, and variable rates ranging from 1.74% – 7.99% APR. The maximum variable rate is 25.00%. Your interest rate will be based on the lender’s requirements. In most cases, lenders determine the interest rates based on your credit score, degree type and other credit and financial criteria. Only borrowers with excellent credit and meeting other lender criteria will qualify for the lowest rate available. Rates and terms are subject to change at any time without notice. Terms and conditions apply.  


8 Important Disclosures for Citizens.

Education Refinance Loan Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 3.69%-9.92% (3.69%-9.92% APR). Fixed interest rates range from  4.49%-10.11% (4.49%-10.11% APR). 

Undergraduate Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 6.39%- 9.60% (6.39% – 9.60% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 6.58% – 9.79% (6.58% – 9.79% APR).

Graduate Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 3.69% – 9.16% (3.69% – 9.16% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 4.49% – 9.35% (4.49% – 9.35% APR).

Education Refinance Loan for Parents Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 3.69%- 9.09% (3.69%- 9.09% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 4.49% – 9.28% (4.49% – 9.28% APR).

Medical Residency Refinance Loan Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 3.69% – 9.16% (3.69% – 9.16% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 4.49% – 9.35% (4.49% – 9.35% APR).

How does a DoorDash driver get paid?

Through Direct Deposit, Dashers get paid on a weekly basis for all deliveries completed between Monday - Sunday of the previous week (ending Sunday at midnight). Payments are transferred at that time directly to your bank account with a 2-3 day processing period and usually appear by Wednesday night.

How do you make 500 a week on DoorDash?

Earn at least $500 in total earnings for 50 deliveries in the next week.” Example: If you complete a minimum of 50 deliveries within 7 days as an active Dasher, you will earn at least $500. If you earn $400, DoorDash will add $100 the day following the last day of the Guaranteed Earnings period.

How much can you make with DoorDash in 3 hours?

DoorDash pays $23 per hour on average, and you can likely complete three to four orders per hour in a decent market. This means DoorDash pays around $6 to $7 per delivery. However, factors like delivery distance, tips, peak pay, and your market all influence earnings.

Why is DoorDash base pay so low?

Doordash says base pay is determined by distance, duration, and desirability of a delivery. The real answer is that base pay is the least amount they can get away with paying. Doordash doesn't publish their formula. There's no transparency.