How to Make Money Delivering
These days, everyone’s looking for convenience. We order almost everything online, from computers to cat litter, and we’re willing to pay a bit extra to get our purchases delivered to our homes, quickly. We’re busy, we’re pulled in lots of different directions, so it’s not surprising that we’re also willing to pay for the convenience of having takeout food delivered. This has led to the rise of gig economy delivery apps such as Uber Eats and DoorDash.
What’s not to like about delivery apps? For shoppers, they offer convenience and choice. And for gig workers, being a delivery driver or courier is one of the easiest ways to make money. Here are some of the best ways to make money delivering takeout food, groceries and packages:
*Disclaimer: some but not all of these services require the freelance worker to be above the age of 18 or 21 years, and to have a reliable car, bike, or scooter with insurance and a valid driver’s license.
Delivering Food
Local restaurants
From big chains like Pizza Hut to small locally-owned restaurants, there are most likely businesses in your local area that offer their customers delivery. In most cases, they will either have a fixed local delivery area, or will charge delivery fees that vary depending on how far away the customer is from the restaurant.
Operating since 2014, Uber Eats is an online food ordering app. The pay structure for delivery drivers includes a fixed pick-up and drop-off fee, as well as a distance traveled per-mile or per-kilometer rate. Uber will then take a percentage of the total fare (the amount varies by city) and the amount left over goes to the driver. Drivers also keep 100% of any tips they receive. While Uber Eats doesn’t offer a guaranteed hourly wage for its drivers, drivers report that their , after vehicle expenses are deducted.
Want to maximize your earning potential with Uber Eats?
- Drivers who work shifts during busier times (lunch, dinner, during major sporting events) will typically earn a higher hourly rate, especially if “Boost” pricing is in effect.
- Drivers can also earn bonus cash by completing “Quest” promotions, such as making a set number of deliveries in a given time frame.
Although some Uber Eats drivers don’t earn much more than minimum wage, the platform does offer additional opportunities, su To register as a delivery person, all you need to do is download the Uber app and pass a background check. Once you’re working, remember that the delivery fees will depend on the distance between the customer and the restaurant.
DoorDash is a food delivery app that has been dashing to customers since 2013. Delivery and service fees depend on what restaurant customers order from. On average, employees—known as Dashers—can make $9-$12 an hour, plus tips. Just like Uber Eats, DoorDash also offers loans to Dashers. DoorDash is currently the most popular food delivery service in the U.S., with nearly half (45%) of all food delivery app transactions.
More than just delivering meals, couriers working for Postmates (est. 2011) also get paid to grocery shop and deliver personal items. Postmates is especially popular in major markets in the western U.S., including Los Angeles and Phoenix, making it one of the more prominent delivery apps to make money on, and its market share in these areas led to its recent acquisition by Uber. The new partnership now ranks second among food delivery services in the U.S., with 37% of all food delivery app transactions. As part of the deal, Postmates will continue to operate as a separate app, allowing its strength as a platform to continue to grow. Like Uber Eats, Postmates delivery fees depend on the customer’s proximity to the drop-off and pick-up locations.
Wondering how to make money delivering groceries? Instacart offers same-day grocery delivery and pick-up, and Instacart couriers are known as shoppers. Shoppers get paid to deliver groceries, and also have the option of picking out and shopping for the food items requested by customers. Customers can either purchase an annual membership or pay a per-delivery fee that changes based on the time of day. Although the amount a shopper earns per gig can fluctuate depending on many different factors, Indeed.com reports that shoppers in Canada average nearly $780 per week.
Delivering Packages
In addition to gig work delivering food, there are many other apps and services you can sign on with to make money doing deliveries. Here are just a few:
Founded in 2008, Task Rabbit is an app that pairs customers with nearby contractors to help with everyday tasks. These “Taskers” offer delivery services as well. In order to become a “Tasker”, gig workers need to register on the Task Rabbit website. Taskers can set their own wage and can choose between hourly payment or per project payment. Depending on the task, workers can earn more than $30 an hour: the average rate for helping people move, for example, is $35 per hour.
and
These companies are two of the leading delivery services in North America. UPS has a page on its website regarding delivery driver opportunities in your area. Historically, UPS has preferred its drivers to be temporary or permanent employees. UPS drivers in the U.S. can earn more than $85,000 annually. FedEx also has information about delivery driver jobs on its website’s Careers page. Traditionally, FedEx hires independent contractors to do their deliveries. On average, FedEx drivers in the U.S. earn just under $46,000 in annual earnings.
Before 2015, Amazon relied on UPS and FedEx to deliver their packages. Now, Amazon hires independent workers through Amazon Flex to distribute their packages. The average Amazon Flex delivery worker earns $18-$25 an hour. Since late May 2020, Amazon Flex has not been accepting new drivers, but gig workers can still download the app to join the interest list.
If you’re looking for ways to get paid to deliver, there are plenty of gigs available now, like these:
- Disabled individuals and senior citizens who need their prescription medications will pay you to deliver to them.
- People who purchase furniture or other bulky items often need help getting them home.
- Other common delivery gigs include sending flowers from florists, delivering gift baskets, passing on legal documents to law firms and delivering dry cleaning from laundromats.
If you are a freelance worker or are wondering how to be self-employed in Ontario, search for delivery jobs in your area to find work near you.
Are you asking yourself, “are there delivery jobs I can start today?” Which company would you like to work with? Get in touch with Moves to learn more about interest-free E-bike financing for food couriers. With no credit check, no hidden fees and flexible repayment terms, getting an e-bike will help you move into the fast lane and kick your gig work into high gear.
Alwin is the Growth Manager at Moves and a part-time freelance photographer. With the rise of the gig economy, he is excited by a world where people can have greater flexibility over their work and challenge the norms of having a traditional 9-to-5 job. Alwin is also an avid travel enthusiast and Toronto Raptors basketball fan.
