In today's dynamic job market, the rise of the gig economy has significantly altered the way people work and earn money. Whether it's driving for a ride-sharing service, delivering food to customers, or shopping for groceries on-demand, gig work offers flexibility and autonomy that traditional employment often lacks. However, understanding earnings trends within this evolving landscape is crucial for gig workers to maximize their income potential. The Solo Market Pulse aims to bridge the gap between drivers and the information they need to make informed decisions about gig work.
Rideshare Trends:
Ridesharing platforms like Uber and Lyft have significantly altered urban transportation, providing convenient alternatives to traditional taxis. However, earnings in the rideshare sector can fluctuate based on various factors such as location, time of day, and demand. Seasonal trends play a significant role, with peak hours during rush periods and weekends often yielding higher earnings due to increased demand.
Solo's third monthly Market Pulse report highlights how rideshare earnings changed from June to July 2024 across different states. Washington, D.C., and New Mexico saw the greatest decreases month-over-month (MoM), while Maine and Wyoming saw increases exceeding 10% going into July. Alabama, Oregon, and Montana remained steady in rideshare earnings.
Food Delivery Trends:
Food delivery services such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub have experienced a surge in popularity amidst the COVID-19 pandemic as more people opt for meal delivery convenience. This has led more drivers to take on gig work full-time; however, geographically, earnings results vary.
Like rideshare services, food delivery earnings can vary based on location and time. Lunch and dinner hours typically see higher demand resulting in increased earning potential during those periods. Notably, one driver received a $301 tip during a dinner rush on DoorDash.
Understanding regional variations in earnings is essential for optimizing income. According to Solo's data from July 2024:
- Washington had the highest average hourly food delivery earning at $17.60.
- Vermont and Alaska followed closely behind.
- Mississippi had the lowest average hourly earning at $12.28.
Additionally,
- Alaska,
- Washington D.C.,
- North Dakota
saw above 5 percent increases in hourly food delivery earnings from June to July 2024.
States like Florida and Maine stayed steady over this period.
About the Author
Shaili is Operations Manager at Solo with expertise in supply chain operations analytics and research aimed at scaling Solo’s reach among gig workers.
Solo
With this blog series "Market Pulse," Solo aims to empower drivers by providing access to current information about seasonal fluctuations through resources like Solo's earnings trend map so that gig workers can maximize their income potential in an ever-changing landscape.