← Guides · November 9, 2026
What Uber and DoorDash Drivers Really Earn Per Hour
A driver who grosses $1,100 in 35 hours and drives 800 miles a week looks like they earn $31 an hour. Count the real costs:
| Item | Per week |
|---|---|
| Gross earnings | $1,100 |
| Fuel (28 mpg, $3.40 gas) | −$97 |
| Wear and tear ($0.12/mi) | −$96 |
| Self-employment tax | −$73 |
| Income tax (12%, after mileage deduction) | −$58 |
| Take-home | $775 |
That is about $22.15 an hour, about 30% less than the headline number. Drivers with older cars or lower mpg land lower.
Three ways to keep more
- Track every business mile; the deduction is worth 70 cents or more per mile.
- Set aside 25-30% of profit for taxes and pay quarterly.
- Drop the hours where cost per mile is highest: long empty drives between orders.
Put your own numbers in the calculator.