How to Make Money with DoorDash

Looking for a side gig? Consider driving for DoorDash. Read this review to find out how much you can expect to earn with the app.

	Become a Driver Start Delivering
	Overall Score	3.8
	Earning Potential	3.5
	Ease of Use	4.0
	Trustworthy	3.8

5-point scale (the higher, the better)

If you're interested in food-only delivery, DoorDash is a popular option.

When customers order food from a local restaurant, DoorDash drivers pick up the order, deliver it to the customer, and get paid (plus tips). Best of all, you decide where and when you want to work.

But before you hit the road, find out what you can earn and how DoorDash rates compare to other delivery apps like Uber Eats and GrubHub.

How Much Can You Earn

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DoorDash drivers, also called "Dashers," are independent contractors.

Drivers get to keep 100% of tips. Deliveries that are less popular with drivers (longer travel distance or expected to take more time) have a higher base pay.

To get a better idea of your take-home pay, be sure to factor in costs like gas, vehicle maintenance, registration (if you're using a car), and potentially paying for parking.

Payments are transferred to your bank account via direct deposit, which takes about 2-3 days to process. Dashers can also cash out their earnings daily for a $1.99 fee. Cash out daily (Fast Pay): Fees apply.

Promotions such as a peak pay and challenges (more on that below) can get you more money.

Become a Driver

Click Here to Start Delivering

Subject to background check and availability

How to Increase Your Earnings

There are a few tips and tricks to bump your earnings up. Here's how to make more money with DoorDash:

1. Challenges: You can earn more for completing a certain number of deliveries in a set amount of time. Open the app and check out active Challenges in your area.

2. Peak Pay: Deliver during busy hours like lunch, dinner, and weekends to earn Peak Pay. You can see how much you'll earn in Peak Pay in the total earnings preview when you're offered a delivery.

3. Customer tips: Don't forget to provide a good customer experience to earn more tips. Once an order is completed, customers are prompted to tip generously. 100% of tips are yours on top of base pay and promotions.
   Estimate Customer Tips

   Tip %	Tip	Total

4. Don't just stick to one app: You can combine DoorDash with other delivery services. Drivers should consider these options:
   
   • Uber Eats for easiest sign-up
     
   • GrubHub for big cities
     
   • Caviar for best tips
     
   • Deliv for most variety
     
   • Instacart for shopping fans

How to Sign Up

To become a Dasher, there are some requirements you have to meet:

• 18+ years old
  
• Own a car, scooter, or bicycle (in select cities)
  
• Valid driver's license (if delivering by car)
  
• Social Security number (only in United States)
  
• Consent to a background check

Next, create an account. Once your application is approved, you will:

• Attend an orientation session
  
• Get the DoorDash Activation kit in the mail (includes a "Hot Bag" to deliver food)
  
• Activate your Red Card

After that, you're officially a Dasher and can start taking food delivery orders.

Overall, it will take roughly 1-2 weeks to get your account fully activated.

After you become a driver, use the app to schedule shifts according to your availability. If you're driving during your self-assigned "shift," you get first priority on accepting orders.

If you're driving outside of your shift, you can still login and begin taking orders during peak hours when volume is high enough.

Be sure to always carry your "Hot Bag" to keep food hot and fresh for customers.

Become a Driver

Click Here to Start Delivering

Subject to background check and availability

Note: Start Dashing today is subject to background check and availability. Dash anytime is subject to availability.

How It Compares

Uber Eats: Uber has a built-in customer base, which could mean more orders. But their payment structure is more complicated than other apps.

Potential earnings:

• Flat amount per pickup
  
• Flat amount per drop-off
  
• Per-mile rate calculated by multiplying the distance between pickup locations and drop-off points (not applicable in all cities)
  
• Per-minute rate calculated by time spent from the arrival at the first restaurant to final drop-off (not applicable in all cities)
  
• 100% of tips
  
• Promotions like Surge Zones and Quest Goals can help you earn more

Deliver with Uber Eats

Click Here to Sign Up to Deliver

GrubHub: Drivers are assigned a delivery "zone" (chosen at registration) but can decide when they want to work.

Potential earnings:

• 100% of tips
  
• Drivers can cash out available earnings at any time with Instant Cash Out

Bottom Line

Becoming a DoorDash driver makes it easy to earn money on your own schedule. And unlike Uber and Lyft, you don't need to deal with passengers in your car.

Just pick up the food, drop it off, and get paid. On top of base pay, you'll get 100% of the delivery fee plus any tips or bonuses.

Once you get comfortable on DoorDash, you even can maximize your earnings by signing up with multiple delivery service apps and delivering at the same time. (Work smarter, not harder, right?)

Become a Driver

Click Here to Start Delivering

Subject to background check and availability

Note: Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries completed, time of day, location, and expenses. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90 day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.