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Third-party food delivery services have given drivers looking for a side hustle an excellent opportunity for work.
When you pick up a side gig with a company like Grubhub, you can work as much or as little as you want.
Yet, as appealing as that might seem, it begs the question-what does Grubhub pay drivers?
Is food delivery through Grubhub a worthwhile side gig or not worth your time at all?
If you have a lot of questions about how Grubhub’s pay model works, you’re in the right place.
The following guide will outline how Grubhub pays its drivers and what you can do to maximize your earnings.
Table Of Contents
- How Much Does GrubHub Pay Drivers?
- How Much Does GrubHub Pay Hourly?
- How Much Does GrubHub Pay Weekly?
- The Grubhub Pay Model
- Does Grubhub Pay for Gas?
- Pros and Cons of Grubhub Pay
- Pro Tips To Maximize Grubhub Pay
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrapping Up
How Much Does GrubHub Pay Drivers?
Grubhub doesn’t provide an hourly base pay.
Instead, the company pays delivery drivers for mileage and time on the road.
Grubhub also offers bonus rates and provides special offers.
As of 2023, Grubhub’s approximate base rates are as follows:
- 22 cents per mile driven for deliveries
- 13 cents per minute on the road
Two important things to note about Grubhub’s base rates:
- Miles driven include picking up the food and returning to the restaurant.
- Minutes on the road also include time spent waiting at the restaurant.
In addition to Grubhub’s pay, drivers also get to keep 100% of any customer tipsthey receive.
Any additional delivery fees go directly to Grubhub for overhead.
What drivers like most about Grubhub is that there’s no limit to how much you can earn.
You can set your own hours, effectively controlling how much you work each day.
Then, choose as many jobs as you want.
How Much Does GrubHub Pay Hourly?
Grubhub doesn’t pay its workers an hourly rate.
Instead, drivers get paid per delivery based on how far they have to drive and how much time they spend delivering the order.
According to Indeed, Grubhub delivery drivers in the US make an average of $18.28 per hour.
However, actual hourly wages range from $8.65 to $31.35.
These rates are based on tips and Grubhub’s base pay.
In most areas, you’ll make above minimum wage.
What you earn will depend on how much you hustle, the demand, and the clientele in your area.
How Much Does GrubHub Pay Weekly?
Since Grubhub drivers make their own schedules, Grubhub doesn’t provide a guaranteed weekly salary.
Instead, drivers receive pay based on services rendered.
The amount Grubhub pays you will cover all of your mileage, time, and tips.
If you want to cash out your pay before payday, you can use Grubhub’s Instant Cash Out feature to get your earnings sooner.
The Grubhub Pay Model
TheGrubhub pay modelconsists of a few different factors.

Specifically, four things contribute to your Grubhub pay:
- Miles driven
- Time on the road
- Customer tips
- Special offers
Mileageincludes the distance you travel for each order.
This includes mileage to the restaurant from your home and from the delivery location back to the restaurant.
Time on the roadaccounts for the total minutes you spend picking up and delivering an order.
This includes time spent waiting at the restaurant for an order and the time you spend driving to and from each location.
Tipscome directly from customers and make up the bulk of a driver’s pay.
Drivers get to keep 100% of their tips.
Special offers consist of pay bonuses, and rewards drivers earn through Grubhub and its affiliates.
Some offers will include bonus pay.
Other offers typically come in the form of special savings or cash back offers for certain services.
You can read about some of the Driver Rewards onGrubhub’s website.
Grubhub’s pay model allows independent contractors to earn as much or as little as they want.
However, you’ll need to hustle to make the hourly rates mentioned above.
Getting Paid
Grubhub gives its drivers two options for getting paid.
Both options require a confirmed bank account to use.
The first option is to have your weekly earnings directly deposited to your bank each Thursday.
Grubhub will calculate your total wages for the previous week, then deposit them for you.
The second option is to use Grubhub’s Instant Cash Outfeature.
This feature allows you to cash out up to $500 daily using the app.
Each time you cash out, Grubhub will charge a $.50 fee.
You can locate Instant Cash Out in the earnings tab in your Grubhub app.
In addition, if you connect your Grubhub account to a Chase checking account, Grubhub will waive the $.50 fee.
What Does Delivery Pay Really Mean?
Grubhub’s delivery pay is the base rate for mileage and minutes, plus tips.
It doesn’t include delivery fees or any special promotions.
How Does Grubhub Calculate Base Pay and Delivery Fee?
Instead of paying drivers a flat delivery rate, Grubhub bases pay on time and distance.
Drivers receive approximately 13 cents per minute and 22 cents per mile.
Then, the driver will add their tip to that amount to find their hourly rate.
Here’s an example calculation:
- 30 minutes of driving + 5 minutes waiting at the restaurant = $6.50
- 10 miles roundtrip = $2.20
- Drive tip = $5
In total, this 30-minute order will net the driver $13.70.
If the driver keeps up that pace, they’ll be on track to make $26 per hour.
Delivery fees are a separate charge on a customer’s order.
Restaurant partners and participating stores set their delivery fees.
Some businesses offer free delivery, while others might charge up to $10.
These fees cover the restaurants’ costs of partnering with Grubhub.
The driver won’t see any of these fees, as they go directly to Grubhub or the restaurant.
Does Grubhub Pay for Gas?
As of 2023, Grubhub doesn’t compensate drivers for fuel costs.
Instead, they factor that cost in when calculating your mileage rate.
Pros and Cons of Grubhub Pay
All third-party food delivery driver services have pros and cons for workers.
Grubhub is no exception.
Take a look at this breakdown of Grubhub’s pros and cons.
Pros of Grubhub Pay
Grubhub provides an excellent opportunity for a potentially lucrative side gig.
The pros don’t end there, though.
Here are a few other positive aspects of Grubhub’s pay.
- Make your own schedule
- Schedule blocks ahead of time
- No limits to how much you can earn
- Daily or weekly payout options
- Special offers and bonuses to increase pay
- Keep 100% of your tips
Cons of Grubhub Pay
As with any delivery service job, Grubhub’s pay model has its downsides, too.
- No base salary means your income is based on availability
- Mileagepay might not be enough to cover wear and tear or fuel
- Your car insurance could go up
- Grubhub doesn’t calculate or deduct taxes
- Added driving could limit the life of your vehicle
- Best opportunities come with the Driver Recognition Program
Pro Tips To Maximize Grubhub Pay
On the surface, being a Grubhub delivery driver might seem like an easy side gig.
However, being your own boss requires a lot of discipline to make the most money possible.
Grubhub drivers have a lot of pro tips that can help maximize earnings.
Here are a few you should consider.
Track Your Expenses
Although tracking your expenses won’t necessarily increase your pay, it can still affect your income.
By closely monitoring your fuel, mileage, and other costs, you’ll know how much you need to work to reach your earning goals.
Set Aside for Taxes
Taxes tend to be the bane of an independent contractor’s existence.
However, setting aside money each pay period to cover your taxeswill make it easier to see a clear picture of your income.
Therefore, your budget should include living expenses + taxes each month.
Then, you can work toward your earnings goals based on what’s left over.
Choose Unfavorable Shifts
A surefire way to bring in better tips and more money is to work unfavorable shifts.
Take the rainy and frigid blocks because those are when people tend to order in and tip more.
It might not be fun dealing with rain or icy temps, but it’ll be worth it.
Qualify for Driver Recognition
Grubhub’s Driver Recognition Programis a stats-based program that gives specific drivers preference for high-paying time blocks.
Your attendance, order acceptance rate, and drop rate will each factor into whether you get access to early block pickups or catering orders.
So focus on getting your stats up, and you’ll have access to the best jobs first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still curious how Grubhub works?
Check these common questions for a bit more information.
How do I become a driver for Grubhub?
Becoming a Grubhub driver is pretty simple.
It doesn’t require a lengthy interview or hiring process.
Instead, you can take care of everything pretty quickly.
First, you’ll need to meet five basic requirements:
– Be at least 19 years old
– Have a car
– Have a valid driver’s license
– Have car insurance
– Have a phone with iOS 11 or Android 5.0 or newer
Once you satisfy those requirements, you can take the following steps.
1. Sign up on Grubhub’s website.
2. Authorize a background check.
3. Submit all required paperwork, including proof of insurance.
4. Go through the optional onboarding to learn the ins and outs of the Grubhub app.
After you’ve completed all the necessary steps, you can start taking orders.
Then, focus on building your stats so you can get into the Driver Recognition Program.
Does Grubhub pay more than other delivery services?
Grubhub falls slightly on the lower end of average compared to other services.
According to Indeed’s salary information, delivery drivers for the most popular third-party delivery services make the following:
– DoorDash $16.24
– Grubhub $18.28
– Postmates $19.08
– Uber Eats $19.33 per hour
– Caviar $24.89
Of course, these are average rates and will vary based on job availability and region.
Grubhub is a well-known company to work for, but you might find one of the other companies offers more in your area.
Wrapping Up
Grubhub provides food delivery all over the US as a third-party delivery service.
Although finding specific payment information can be tricky, hopefully, this article gave you a good idea of what to expect.
You could potentially make an average of $18 an hour with Grubhub, which is above minimum wage in most areas.
Have you driven for Grubhub or similar delivery service?
Let us know about your experience, or drop a question in the comments.
Meta:
FAQs
How do I show proof of income with Grubhub? ›
- Pay summary (this will not have a name on it).
- A copy of a delivery partner agreement & fee offer letter.
- A previous year's 1099.
Well, it's not necessarily straightforward, but it's absolutely possible to make $1000 a week with GrubHub if you take a few key steps. But remember: in order to make the most of your deliveries via GrubHub, it's vital to take a few steps to optimize your delivery value.
How much did I make on Grubhub? ›Average Grubhub Delivery Driver hourly pay in California is approximately $18.34, which is 10% above the national average.
What kind of income is Grubhub? ›Grubhub Delivery partners are classified as independent contractors. Grubhub does not withhold any federal, state, or local taxes from your income, nor are we able to change your classification. You are solely responsible for paying the taxes on your earnings.
What is a good way to show proof of income? ›- Pay stubs. A pay stub, which most people who work corporate jobs receive at the end of each pay period, is the most common form of proof of income. ...
- Bank statements. ...
- Tax returns. ...
- W2 form. ...
- 1099 form. ...
- Employer letter. ...
- Unemployment documentation. ...
- Disability insurance.
Pay stubs, earnings statement or W- 2 form identifying employee and showing amount earned period of time covered by employment. Signed and dated form or letter from employer specifying amount to be earned per pay period and length of pay period.
Can you make $500 a day with Grubhub? ›Does Grubhub pay drivers daily? Drivers are able to cash their earnings out up to $500 a day using the Instant Cash Out feature, which is free for Chase Bank customers and $. 50 each for all other bank customers.
Who pays more DoorDash or Grubhub? ›Grubhub has a much smaller market share compared to DoorDash, and customers can order fewer types of items. Does Grubhub or DoorDash make more money? DoorDash has a higher national average pay than Grubhub, and it's not uncommon for DoorDash drivers to make $100/day.
Does Grubhub pay more than tips? ›You will be paid Delivery Pay + 100% of your tips for every order you deliver. For more information, you can review your payment terms in the Grubhub for Drivers app.
Do Grubhub drivers know how much you tipped? ›Yes, Grubhub drivers are able to see their total payment amount they will recieve for each order, which includes 100% of the diner's tip.
Do Grubhub drivers get paid for gas? ›
No, Grubhub does not pay for gas. However, Grubhub does offer competitive pay that accounts for mileage when calculating each offer. Be sure to visit the driver site to find out more information about driving with Grubhub.
How much do Grubhub drivers make without tips? ›According to Indeed, Grubhub delivery drivers in the US make an average of $18.28 per hour. However, actual hourly wages range from $8.65 to $31.35.
Is Grubhub worth it as a job? ›Grubhub may not be the most lucrative side gig, but it's a great introduction to side-gigging and the gig economy, as are all of the other delivery platforms. It doesn't take too much to get going with Grubhub. As long as you maintain an active account, it'll be there when you need it.
Does Grubhub report income to IRS? ›You'll notice the Grubhub EIN on the 1099-NEC the company sends you. Grubhub reports to the IRS all the income is paid out to you throughout the year. If you're tempted to under-report your Grubhub income, you need to be aware that the IRS knows the income amount that appears on Form 1099-NEC.
Do I have to file taxes for Grubhub? ›If you earn more than $400 from GrubHub, Postmates, DoorDash, or UberEATS, you must file a tax return and report your delivery earnings to the IRS. Most delivery providers report income as sole proprietors, which allows you to report business income on your personal tax return.
What is the easiest proof of income? ›Pay stub
A pay stub is usually the easiest way to show proof of income. That's because it shows the income you earned during a specific pay period as well as your year-to-date (YTD) income.
Self-Employed Pay Stubs
Self-employed individuals can create their own pay stubs to serve as a record of their earnings. At the same time, these pay stubs can also be used like any other pay stub: as proof of income documentation for a financial transaction that requires it.
- Provide W2s or wage and tax statements.
- Show your tax returns.
- Produce a letter from and signed by your clients.
- Provide an employment contract.
- Show proof of disability payments or social security benefits.
Bank statements are among the most common documents used for income verification. Bank statements show the movement of funds into and out of an account and provide insight into the borrower's income, spending, and debt repayment history. Retired and self-employed borrowers often use bank statements as proof of income.
What is an example of self-employment income? ›The net income you earn from your own trade or business. For example, any net income (profit) you earn from goods you sell or services you provide to others counts as self-employment income. Self-employment income could also come from a distributive share from a partnership.
Does Grubhub have a limit? ›
There are no special codes required and no limits on how many orders you can place per month.
How much can I make with Grubhub a week? ›I ended up making about $17 an hour and averaged around $85 each week. Below, you can see a breakdown of my earnings from one of those weeks. As a Grubhub driver, your earnings will include the delivery pay, tips, Grubhub contributions and any bonuses or adjustments.
How much can you make doing DoorDash 40 hours a week? ›DoorDash reports that average drivers make $25 an hour. This means if you work 40 hours a week, which is considered full-time, you would earn $1,000 before tax.
Who pays more Grubhub or Uber? ›Mileage Per Order: You get paid more for longer Grubhub orders, although the exact pay-per-mile varies on market and other factors. Time Spent On Road: Because sometimes mileage doesn't always accurately represent how long an order takes, drivers are also compensated for the total time on the road.
Which food delivery app is the busiest? ›- Grubhub and Seamless. You'll notice when you read through this list, GrubHub is clearly one of the leaders in the food delivery space. ...
- DoorDash. ...
- Uber Eats. ...
- Postmates. ...
- Caviar. ...
- EatStreet. ...
- Delivery.com.
Base pay from DoorDash to Dashers ranges from $2-$10+ per delivery depending on the estimated duration, distance, and desirability of the order. Deliveries that are expected to take more time, that require Dashers to travel a longer distance, and that are less popular with Dashers have higher base pay.
Do Grubhub drivers live off tips? ›When tipping on Grubhub, the tip money goes straight to the delivery drivers, as it should. Some orders may include an additional “delivery fee”, but this is not a tip – drivers do not receive this money – so make sure not to deduct this charge from your tip amount.
Is 20% enough tip for Grubhub? ›GrubHub recommends leaving $5 or 20 percent for your delivery driver—whichever is higher. You should also consider adding a few extra dollars for large or complex deliveries, as well as when the weather is bad.
Do Grubhub drivers depend on tips? ›Grubhub no longer encourages customers to leave a tip for drivers, though they still can. Whereas the food delivery app used to set a default tip of 20 percent which customers could then adjust, the app now sets a default tip of zero percent and leaves it wholly up to users to decide whether to tip and by how much.
Is $5 a good tip for delivery? ›What's the Standard Tip for Delivery? Unlike tipping a waiter, there isn't a "standard" tip for delivery. Matt Maloney, co-founder of Grubhub, suggests a minimum tip amount of $5 or 20%, as long as the service was good.
Is 25 a good tip for Grubhub? ›
In reality, these values don't always go to the driver and they aren't considered a tip. The co-founder of Grubhub Matt Maloney pretty much set the standard for tipping delivery people in a Facebook post. He's a strong proponent of tipping, and Grubhub's website recommends a $5 or a 20% tip, whichever is more.
Do Grubhub drivers have to accept orders? ›If you do not intend on delivering an order after reviewing its details, make sure to hit the Reject button. This allows Grubhub to promptly offer the order to another driver. Please note: rejections affect your acceptance rate, which is a part of determining your Program Level. Was this article helpful?
Do drivers get the driver benefits on Grubhub? ›Drivers with total active delivery time of 25 hours per week or more on average over the entire quarter. The exact subsidy amounts will be established when Covered California posts its rates. Once your insurance is accepted, you can expect to receive a subsidy by the end of that month.
How often does Grubhub pay drivers? ›If you choose not to or are unable to use the Instant Cash Out feature, payments are sent on Thursdays via direct deposit. Payments reflect the amount you earned as a delivery partner with Grubhub but have not yet cashed out using the Instant Cash Out feature from Monday through Sunday of the previous week.
Is Grubhub paying more because of gas prices? ›As gas prices rise nationwide, third-party food delivery companies are making changes to help offset the costs for drivers. Uber Eats and Grubhub will pay drivers more, and DoorDash is giving them cash back on gas as the companies look to maintain driver supply amid the cost pressures.
What happens when you don't tip on Grubhub? ›When a food delivery driver doesn't receive a tip, they only get the per-order rate and a set amount per-mile amount from Grubhub. That amount averages out to approximately $12 per hour before tips. Even though that amount is above minimum wage in many places, it does not include any health benefits or paid time off.
How do you get the most money on Grubhub? ›- Understand that Grubhub needs you.
- Use tax write-offs to maximize your earnings.
- Block out your schedule in advance.
- Experiment with your delivery hours.
- Learn how weather impacts orders.
- Know when an order isn't worth it.
- Get to know your local restaurants.
- Don't be afraid to multi-app.
Yes, Grubhub drivers can pick up multiple orders from different restaurants. The Grubhub for Drivers App will automatically create a task lisk and sequence your pickup and delivery orders to create a positive driver and diner experience.
What is the best time to drive for Grubhub? ›As you likely expect, the busiest times for food delivery coincide with when people eat – typically during the lunch and dinner hours. That means, in general, the best times to Grubhub are from 11 am to 2 pm (during the lunch rush), and from 5 pm to 8 pm (during the dinner rush).
Why is Grubhub so much better than DoorDash? ›The better meal delivery app for drivers ultimately boils down to how much you can earn delivering orders. It's estimated that GrubHub drivers can earn up to $23 per hour, and while DoorDash doesn't publish pay rates, there are ways drivers can earn more money on certain types of orders. Take alcohol, for example.
Is Grubhub a good side job? ›
Make Extra Cash on the Side
Some drivers prefer to drive full-time and others would rather work part-time. It's all up to you. If you just want to pick up some hours on the side, a Grubhub paycheck is a great side hustle that can supplement your income.
Which 1099 form will you get from Grubhub? Grubhub sends out two types of tax forms, depending on how much they paid you: 1099-NEC: For drivers who earned more than $600, but less than $20,000. 1099-K: For drivers who earned more than $20,000, from at least 200 trips.
How much should you set aside for taxes for Grubhub? ›How Much Should I Save for Taxes As a 1099 Delivery Driver (2023)? As an independent contractor, you should set aside enough to cover the 15.3% self-employment tax and at minimum 10% federal income tax.
How do I report income less than $600? ›Reporting your income under $600 for the tax year does not require any special IRS form or process as it is similar to how you would report any other income. The most important thing is to make sure you include it when calculating your taxable income.
How much can you make on the side without paying taxes? ›If you made a net profit of $400 or more from your side hustle, you have to pay taxes on it, according to the IRS. "Any earned income is subject to taxes and when you work for yourself or are a 1099 worker, there are no taxes withheld so you will be responsible for saving for any taxes due," O'Leary says.
Can I write off my cell phone for DoorDash? ›Phone and Service
And the portion of these expenses that you use for Doordash work counts as a tax write-off. Phone accessories like a car holder, car charger, and any others that are “ordinary and necessary” for your delivery job are also deductible.
Come tax time, you may have documents like a 1099 or a Schedule C where you can show that you're earning consistent money from DoorDash. Just be aware that you may be required to submit two years of tax returns to verify self-employment income for some things, like a mortgage.
Does Grubhub count as employment? ›If you deliver food for GrubHub, Postmates, DoorDash, or UberEATS, you are self-employed. As a delivery provider for these companies, you are an independent contractor rather than an employee.
How much do you have to make on Grubhub to file taxes? ›If you've earned more than $600 in a calendar year as a driver, Grubhub will automatically send you a 1099 form by January 31.
Do I have to file taxes for DoorDash if I made less than $600? ›Do I have to file taxes for DoorDash if I made less than $600? Yes. You have to file taxes and report all income you receive as an independent contractor, even if it's less than $600 and you don't get a 1099 form.
Can I use DoorDash as proof of income for a loan? ›
Documentation from the gig companies.
As lenders look at your income as an independent contractor, they're not looking at Grubhub and Doordash etc. as your employers, but more like they are your customers.
If you cannot pay the full amount, you will face penalties and owe interest. Another option is to pay quarterly estimated payments direct to the IRS. This could help you avoid a surprise tax bill and possibly keep you from paying any penalties.
What happens if you can't prove income? ›Instead of pay stubs or bank statements, you can submit any compensation or subsidy records you have. These documents come in many forms, including social security statements, workman's compensation letters, unemployment statements, and more.
What disqualifies you from being a Grubhub driver? ›What Will Disqualify You From Driving? Criminal convictions and major violations on your DMV record can disqualify an applicant from being accepted by Grubhub. Individuals with felonies, sex offenders, dangerous criminals, or those with major driving violations will be automatically disqualified.
Can you write off gas for Grubhub? ›You still need to report that income on your tax return and pay taxes on it. Can you write off gas for Grubhub? If you drove your own vehicle for work-related purposes, you can write off the cost of gas and oil. You need to keep track of all of your receipts so you can provide documentation of your return.
Can you do Grubhub as a full time job? ›Grubhub drivers are able to work when they want, whether that is part-time, full-time, or on their own schedule. For more information about Grubhub driver scheduling check out our Scheduling page.
How much money should I save for 1099 taxes? ›With that in mind, it's best practice to save about 25–30% of your self-employed income to pay for taxes. And, remember, the more deductions you find, the less you'll have to pay.
How much can you make on a 1099 before you have to claim it? ›The IRS refers to this as “nonemployee compensation.” In most circumstances, businesses that you do work for are required to issue Form 1099-NEC when they pay you $600 or more in any year. If you receive payments through online payment services such as PayPal, you might also receive form 1099-K.