The first quarter of 2025 marked a shift from the holiday rush to the quieter winter months in the gig economy, affecting rideshare and food delivery earnings across the U.S. Analysts examined seasonal slowdowns, weather patterns, and consumer behavior changes to assess their impacts on earnings trends.
The Solo Market Pulse report provides a data-driven overview of the gig economy, offering drivers insights for optimizing income. The report includes quarterly performance data for food delivery and rideshare earnings nationwide, with average hourly earnings and state-by-state comparisons.
"Rideshare Trends and Earnings in the Gig Economy in the First Quarter of 2025" highlights a slight national decline in rideshare earnings, from $20.64 in the fourth quarter of 2024 to $20.50 in the first quarter of 2025. This 0.66% decrease aligns with typical post-holiday seasonal shifts. Despite the decline, earnings in various markets remained over $20 per hour.
The report identifies Washington, Minnesota, and Massachusetts as the states with the highest rideshare earnings, citing factors such as urban demand and tipping culture. Rhode Island experienced the largest increase in rideshare earnings at 12.58%, while Vermont faced the largest decrease at 11.48%.
Turning to food delivery trends, the first quarter of 2025 showed a 1.11% national decline in earnings, from $15.41 to $15.24 per hour. Alaska, Montana, and Nevada led with the highest food delivery earnings. The report notes that West Virginia saw the most significant increase at 7.90%, while Alaska had the largest decrease at 17.68%.
The findings underscore the impacts of regional conditions and seasonal timing on gig work opportunities, emphasizing the importance of adapting to these changes for maximizing earnings.
This analysis aims to help gig workers navigate their income strategies with insights from reports like the Solo Market Pulse, which continues to provide crucial earnings data. By understanding these trends, workers can make informed decisions to enhance their economic stability.