Sometimes I feel like I spend half of my life in an Uber (and my recent history on the app might just confirm that). And I’m not the only one. The ever-popular ride-sharing company, which launched in 2009, is now in nearly all 50 states, the majority of U.S. cities, and is creating hubs in more and more countries. But while I can barely remember a time before I wasn’t using Uber, tipping your driver became an option only as of June 2017 (unless you were already giving your drivers a cash bonus, which in that case, props to you).
When tipping became a function on the Uber app, I, for one, was confused. Was it optional? Should I tip on all my rides? Is the amount based on distance, or how much I like my driver? Over a year and a half later, many of us are still plagued with these same questions.
So to shed some light on how much you should really be giving, Glamour spoke with Uber drivers across the country to find out. Read on for their real-life advice.
What Uber Drivers Actually Make
According to Market Watch, the Uber payment breakdown goes like this: On average, Uber drivers typically collect $24.77 per hour in passenger fares. From there, Uber takes $8.33 in commissions and fees, which is about a third of the fares. Now you have to factor in gas (you know, the fuel that lets the driver get you from point A to point B). It’s been reported that gas and other maintenance fees cost drivers about $4.87 an hour—leaving them with an average total of $11.77 for their work.
Sarah, a Denver-based driver, has made between $20,000 to $31,000 per year working for Uber about 40 hours per week—but she makes sure to underscore that how much you’re making has many variables: "I moved from Houston to Denver, where trip requests seem to be more consistent,” says Sarah. “I’m not putting as many miles on my car given that Denver is a smaller city. I made around $500 per week in Houston at 45-plus hours per week. Here in Denver I make closer to $800 per week at 30 hours per week.” The majority of a driver’s pay is coming from Uber itself, not a driver's tips. For Ann in St. Louis, and many other drivers, only “5 percent or less” of her earnings come from tips.
How Uber Drivers Spend Their Hard-Earned Money
Uber drivers aren’t given a car to drive, an unlimited credit card for gas, or a stipend for maintenance fees. When people choose to drive for Uber, they’re using a personal car—and taking all responsibilities for any wear or tear to the vehicle.
As detailed in the average driver's payment breakdown above, you have to factor in roughly $4.87 an hour toward things like gas and maintenance. So how much are people really spending on these fees? Roger, who drives in upstate New York, estimates that "25 percent of what I make goes to gas and vehicle expenses," he says. "For the drivers who have older vehicles, which require more repair [than mine], it could even be more.”
