Side hustles are all the rage these days … and no, not because we’re bored. Instead, an ever-growing number of workers continue finding themselves in need of extra income, and for plenty of people, delivery driver gigs for places like Uber Eats and DoorDash are the answer. However, a TikTok creator documenting his attempt to earn extra money with Uber Eats says the numbers don’t exactly add up.
A Side Hustle After a Full Workday
In the video, the creator explains he’s testing Uber Eats after finishing an eight-hour shift at his regular job (which, judging by his dirt-covered face and neon vest, is a job that requires taxing manual labor). He says he’s trying to help support his four kids and stay-at-home wife.
When he heads out for the evening and begins accepting orders through the app, his first delivery appears straightforward: a $6 order for a 2.4-mile trip, which involves a short shop-and-deliver run inside a Dollar General. Not exactly the kind of order that screams, “I’m going to get a big, fat tip.”
As the night continues, the driver picks up a few additional orders from places like 7-Eleven and Pizza Hut, documenting the process along the way.
Some stops are routine, while others are less smooth. At one point, he struggles to find a dark house with no visible numbers, eventually calling the customer to confirm the location. Later, he waits in a parking lot outside a restaurant, hoping for another order to come through.
“It is pretty slow tonight,” he says. “Remember, I’m paid by the order, not by the hour.”
The Final Total
At the end of the video, the driver breaks down what he actually earned. According to his app, he worked from about 6:03 p.m. to 8:36 p.m. — roughly two and a half hours. During that time, he says he made $15.02. After calculating the hourly rate, the result came out to about $6.01 per hour. That’s less than federal minimum wage, guys (which is notoriously stingier than most states’ minimum wage rates).
“That is before taxes, before gas, and before the wear and tear on my car,” he adds.
‘Do You Think Uber Eats Is Worth It?’
The creator ends the video by asking viewers what they think about the pay.
“Do you think doing Uber Eats is worth it?” he asks. “And do you think Uber Eats is paying their delivery drivers fairly?”
And for once, everyone in the comments section agreed. (It’s not worth it.)
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- 11 Worst Side Hustles and 9 Better Options to Earn Extra Money — Not every side hustle is a good opportunity. These gigs are better left alone.
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