Folks are on the lookout for creative ways to boost their income, and driving for Grubhub pops up as a flexible option.
It’s not just about getting behind the wheel; it’s about how much money you can get paid to deliver food to a customer.
But how much do Grubhub drivers make? Is it the right app for you to start a profitable side hustle?
If you’re eyeing Grubhub and wondering if it’s worth the gas, or if you’re curious about what drivers earn, you’re in the right place.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Your Grubhub earnings come from a mix: base pay for the delivery itself, bonuses for those extra efforts, and tips from happy customers in your local market.
The Grubhub Recognition Program rewards drivers with three levels: Partner, Pro, and Premier. Each level has its own perks based on how well you meet goals like acceptance and attendance rates.
Whether you prefer the steadiness of a weekly direct deposit or the immediacy of Instant Cash Out, Grubhub will fit your financial flow.
Check out other food delivery apps like DoorDash and Postmates to multi-app and make extra income!
How Much Do Grubhub Drivers Make?
ZipRecruiter says that Grubhub drivers might earn between $19 an hour before you factor in your expenses.
Grubhub drivers’ pay will vary depending on four things:
Delivery Driver Pay – Your base pay covers stuff like how far you’re driving, what kind of delivery it is, how long it takes you to deliver, and what the market where you’re working.
Grubhub Contribution – Sometimes, Grubhub will throw in a little extra to make sure drivers are getting a fair deal for your time, especially during slower periods.
Tips – Customers can show their appreciation for your speedy and friendly service with a tip; 100% of those tips go straight to you, the driver.
Missions & Special Offers – Think of these as little bonuses or challenges. Maybe it’s extra cash for hitting a number of deliveries or working at super busy times.
Taxes – You’re considered self-employed, so you’ll need to keep track of your earnings and expenses. You may potentially pay quarterly estimated taxes.
Tax Deductions – You could deduct car expenses, phone bills, and more.
Make sure you open a bank account if you haven’t already to get direct deposit set up so your pay comes in fast and easy.
Being A Grubhub Driver
Driver Requirements
The Grubhub driver requirements are pretty simple. You must be 18 or over 21 if you’re in Las Vegas.
A valid driver’s license is key if you’re driving a car- if you’re 18, you need at least one year with your license.
Bike delivery? Just a state ID will do.
You must have a smartphone for the food delivery app, and a background check to check driver history is part of the deal.
Applying is simple. Visit Grubhub, enter your info, upload any documents, and wait for approval!
Car Requirements
Almost any car will do for Grubhub deliveries. The make, model, or year of your vehicle is not strictly regulated as long as it’s reliable for delivering orders.
However, Grubhub requires all drivers to maintain up-to-date auto insurance and follow the laws of the state where they deliver.
Scheduling
Grubhub operates on scheduled blocks, known as delivery blocks. By scheduling delivery blocks ahead of time, you’re essentially reserving your spot to deliver during those hours.
Grubhub might just select you for its Grubhub Recognition Program, which can lead to new blocks and even more orders.
You’ll need:
A good attendance rate
A low block drop rate
To deliver orders with a smile
To make sure everything’s hot and fresh
Tips To Earn More Money Delivering Food
Peak Hours
To earn more as a Grubhub driver, adding peak hours to your scheduled block is essential.
Peak hours are typically during lunch (12 PM to 2 PM) and dinner rushes (5 PM to 9 PM), when the demand for food delivery is highest.
Also, consider those late-night cravings- that’s when some orders start flooding in, offering you a golden opportunity to cash in on hungry revelers.
While Mondays and Tuesdays might feel a bit like slow-motion for delivery partners, the weekends are usually busy, especially Friday and Saturday nights.
Know The Local Hubs
Knowing the local hotspots is another winning strategy to make more money delivering food.
Positioning yourself close to busy restaurants or popular food joints can mean fast order assignments and more deliveries coming your way.
Think about setting up shop near university campuses, where hungry students frequently rely on food delivery services.
It’s a prime spot to snag orders and cash in on the demand for drivers in those bustling areas and can seriously increase earnings.
Better Map Apps
More efficient routes mean you can squeeze in more orders and earn some extra money. Plus, you’ll reduce your mileage and estimated time for delivery, which is a win.
With these apps, delivery partners can handle multiple stops like a pro and cut down on time spent delivering food.
You can choose from a variety of handy apps, such as Route4Me, Circuit Route Planner, MyWay Route Planner, Upper Route Planner, and RoadWarrior.
Drive With More Than One App!
Multi-apping allows you to level up your game as a delivery driver. You’ll juggle orders from different food delivery platforms at the same time.
Start by adding one additional app at a time, getting the hang of managing multiple orders and platforms without breaking a sweat.
Other Food Delivery Jobs
Grubhub delivery partners aren’t limited to just their app- you can sign up with others to get more orders.
Here are some of my favorite food delivery apps in addition to Grubhub:
DoorDash
Being a DoorDash Dasher is pretty sweet. You’ll earn cash per delivery and score sweet tips from happy customers.
But the best part? You’re the boss of your schedule and can fit your hours in or around your Grubhub schedule.
Want to learn more? Check out my DoorDash Driver Review!
Postmates
Postmates works the same as Grubhub- use the app to set up your schedule, accept order requests, and deliver the goods.
But you can also get paid for delivering groceries and other household items, extending your pickup potential even further and generating extra orders!
Read my Postmates vs. DoorDash Review to see what their driver requirements are and why DoorDash might be the winner.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats is another hot spot for delivering food, and drivers are raking in some serious dough.
And just like with other delivery platforms, Uber Eats drivers get to call the shots. You can log in to the app and start delivering whenever you like; there are no rigid schedules to tie you down.
Here’s my Uber Eats Review to check out more info on signing up.
Instacart
Instacart is the go-to platform for grocery delivery that’s making shopping a breeze for folks all around.
Oh, and there are two ways to roll with Instacart:
Full-service shoppers who work as independent contractors, doing the shopping and delivering groceries.
In-store shoppers are part-time employees who focus solely on filling up those carts and checking out the groceries before they’re delivered.
Check out my Instacart Shopper Review to see if this is the right side hustle for you.
FAQs
How does Grubhub calculate pay for drivers?
Grubhub’s method of determining driver pay is pretty straightforward:
Delivery driver pay + Grubhub contribution + Tips + Missions & special offers = Total Pay
Now, when it comes to getting paid, Grubhub has got you covered with a couple of options.
You can choose weekly direct deposit or use the Instant Cash Out feature can pay you daily (with a small fee).
Could I make $1000 per week driving with Grubhub?
Making $1,000 a week with Grubhub may be possible, but it depends on your local market.
As an independent contractor, you have the flexibility to make a plan about when you’re out there delivering because you will basically need to work 10 to 13 hours a day.
If you’re in a bustling city with tons of hungry folks ordering around the clock, reaching that goal might be a breeze.
But if you’re in a quieter suburb, you might need to get a bit creative with your schedule to snag those prime delivery times.
Does Grubhub pay more than DoorDash?
Pay really can vary based on factors like your location, the time you choose to work, and even the specific orders you accept.
According to ZipRecruiter, driver earnings on Grubhub average between $19 per hour, while Indeed has DoorDash sitting at an average of about $17 per hour.
How does working with Grubhub differ from working with Postmates?
When you’re deciding between Grubhub and Postmates (which is now part of Uber Eats), consider what you’re going for with your delivery gigs.
Grubhub is all about food deliveries from various restaurants. So, if you’re into picking up pizzas, sushi, and maybe the occasional smoothie, Grubhub could be your jam.
Postmates is pretty much a jack-of-all-trades delivery service. In addition to delivering dinner, you could drop off groceries, a bottle of wine, or even some office supplies.
Final Thoughts
So, to sum up, if you sign up with Grubhub today, you could potentially earn $19 an hour with this side hustle.
Your Grubhub driver pay will vary based on things like where you’re delivering, how many runs you’re making, and those ever-welcome tips.
And hey, the flexibility to choose when you work as a Grubhub driver and working peak hours can really increase your pay.
But here’s a little insider tip: don’t put all your eggs in one basket as a Grubhub driver. Check out other food delivery gigs, such as DoorDash and Postmates.
Mixing it up could make your delivery hustle even more profitable, and ultimately, we all want to earn more cash!
Leave a Reply