Independent research on how Americans make money online
Data refreshed Nov 3, 202633 methods · 98 sourcesModel v0.2
Independent research on how Americans make money online
Data refreshed Nov 3, 202633 methods · 98 sourcesModel v0.2
Platform gigs · Rank 23 of 33
Deliver restaurant and grocery orders for DoorDash, Uber Eats or Instacart by car, bike or scooter.
One person in the US, about 10 hours a week, after 12 monthsData updated Nov 3, 20263 sourcesModel v0.2
Suits
People who want paid hours quickly, without building an audience or a business.
Not for
Anyone looking for income that grows without more hours.
What would change our view: A new distribution channel or a policy change that removes low-quality sellers could reopen it.
One person in the US, about 10 hours a week, after 12 months
Recalculated daily from the latest data; the history chart appears after the second daily update.
60% the method's unit economics ($278 a month for an active practitioner), 40% the US side-hustle distribution.
| Pay per active hourDoorDash median to Uber Eats average, 2025. | $11.26–$18.06 | Source |
| Expenses as share of gross (gas, wear)$0.40–0.70/mile variable cost ÷ about $1.10/mile gross. Bike couriers would be far lower. | 50% | Source |
| Share of logged-in hours that are paidGridwise hourly figures already include most waiting time; 0.9 covers the rest. | 90% | BRI assumption |
| Hours logged in a week | 10 | BRI assumption |
Q4 2025: hourly delivery earnings $14.66, tips $4.19 per order, utilization 58.69%
Food On Demand (Gridwise report)2025: DoorDash averaged $12.43/hr (median $11.26) and $0.94/mile; Uber Eats $18.06/hr and $1.27/mile, before vehicle costs
GridwiseIRS business mileage rate is 72.5¢ per mile for 2026
IRSGridwise data show hourly delivery earnings up 3.2% to $14.66 in Q4 2025, still below the 2022 peak of nearly $16.
