---
title: "How Much Do Delivery Drivers Make After Costs?"
description: "How much do delivery drivers make? Gig pay per hour looks different after gas, wear and taxes. How to figure your real pay before you sign up."
url: https://neededcash.com/make-money/delivery-driver-pay/
updated: 2026-10-10
site: NeededCash
---

Gig driving pay

# How much do delivery drivers make?

Delivery pay is shown per order. What matters is what is left per hour after gas, wear on the car and taxes.

Quick answer

Delivery drivers' pay varies by market, time of day and platform, so the useful number is your own net hourly pay: total payouts and tips, minus gas, maintenance, insurance and depreciation, minus taxes, divided by hours including waiting time. Employed delivery drivers' wages are published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Use our gig earnings calculator with your real numbers before relying on gig income.

## Figure your real pay

1. **Track a full week.** Record payouts, tips, miles and online hours.
2. **Subtract car costs.** Gas, maintenance and wear add up per mile. The IRS standard mileage rate is one benchmark.
3. **Set aside taxes.** Gig drivers usually owe self-employment tax on net earnings.
4. **Divide by all hours.** Include waiting time between orders.

## Common questions

### Do delivery drivers get paid per hour?

Gig platforms usually pay per order plus tips, sometimes with guaranteed minimums. Employed drivers for restaurants and stores are paid hourly.

### Can I deduct mileage for delivery work?

Self-employed drivers can generally deduct business miles using the standard mileage rate or actual expenses. Keep a log.

### Is delivery or rideshare better?

It depends on your market, car and hours. Track both for a week before choosing.

## Where these facts come from

- [BLS: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/)
- [IRS Announcement 2026-11: revised standard mileage rates](https://www.irs.gov/irb/2026-29_irb)
- [IRS: self-employment tax](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employment-tax-social-security-and-medicare-taxes)

Sources checked October 10, 2026. Programs and rules change; confirm details with the agency or company before you act.

## Disclosures

**Not a lender.** NeededCash.com is not a lender, loan broker, or agent of any lender and does not make credit decisions. We operate a free matching service that shares the information you submit with participating licensed lenders and lending partners, who may contact you with an offer and who pay us a referral fee.

**Rates and terms.** Each lender sets its own rates, fees, and terms and will disclose them in writing as required by the federal Truth in Lending Act before you sign. Personal and installment loans from lenders in our network typically carry APRs from about 5.99% to 35.99% with terms from 3 to 84 months. Representative example: a $5,000 loan over 36 months at 15.99% APR has 36 payments of $175.76 and a total cost of $6,327.36.

## Keep going

- [Gig earnings](https://neededcash.com/money-tools/gig-earnings-calculator/)
- [Make money with your car](https://neededcash.com/make-money/make-money-with-your-car/)

---
Canonical page: https://neededcash.com/make-money/delivery-driver-pay/