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Essential Gear for Delivery Drivers
- Insulated Food Delivery Bag - Keep orders hot/cold for better ratings and tips
- Dashboard Phone Mount - Hands-free navigation for safe deliveries
- 36W Fast Car Charger - Keep your phone charged during long shifts
- 20000mAh Portable Power Bank - Backup power for extended delivery blocks
Base Pay Explained
Base pay is DoorDash's portion of your earnings. It ranges from $2-10+ per delivery based on:
Factors That Increase Base Pay
- • Longer distance to customer
- • Longer estimated time
- • Order has been declined multiple times
- • Complex orders (multiple stops)
Typical Base Pay Ranges
- • Short orders (1-3 mi): $2-4
- • Medium orders (3-6 mi): $3-6
- • Long orders (6+ mi): $5-10+
- • Stacked orders: $4-8 per order
Important: Base pay alone is rarely worth it. Tips make or break your earnings. A $2 base pay order with $8 tip = $10. A $4 base pay order with $0 tip = $4. Always factor in tips.
Tips: Where the Real Money Is
Tip Facts
- ✓ You keep 100% of tips
- ✓ Tips shown upfront (partially)
- ✓ Tips over $4 may be "hidden"
- ✓ Average tip: $3-8 per order
- ✓ Tips = 50-70% of total earnings
Hidden Tips
DoorDash hides tip amounts over $4 to prevent cherry-picking. An order showing $6.50 might pay $12+ after delivery.
Signs of hidden tips: Higher item count, nice neighborhoods, catering orders.
Promotions & Bonuses
Peak Pay
Extra $1-5 per delivery during busy times. Shows as red zones on your map.
Common times: Dinner rush, weekends, bad weather
Challenges
"Complete 15 deliveries this weekend, earn $25 extra." Time-limited bonus opportunities.
Usually worth doing if you planned to work anyway
Referral Bonuses
Earn $200-500 for referring new Dashers (varies by market).
Referred Dasher must complete X deliveries to unlock bonus
Real Earnings Examples
| Scenario | Hours | Deliveries | Gross Pay | $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday lunch | 3 | 8 | $52 | $17 |
| Friday dinner | 4 | 12 | $95 | $24 |
| Saturday full day | 8 | 22 | $185 | $23 |
| Slow Tuesday | 4 | 7 | $48 | $12 |
*Examples from suburban US market. Urban markets may vary. Remember to subtract gas, maintenance, and taxes for true net earnings.
Don't Forget Expenses
Your gross pay isn't your real earnings. Subtract these costs:
Rule of thumb: Your net pay is roughly 60-70% of gross pay after all expenses and taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does DoorDash pay per delivery?
$2-10+ in base pay plus 100% of tips. Average total per delivery is $6-15 depending on distance, time, and tip.
Does DoorDash pay for gas?
No direct gas reimbursement. You're an independent contractor responsible for vehicle expenses. However, you can deduct mileage on taxes.
How much can you make on DoorDash in a day?
$100-200/day working 6-10 hours is typical. Top performers earn $200-300/day during peak times.