Date: January 28, 2025
Contact: Molly Weedn, (415) 209-4217
[email protected]

NEW REPORT: California App-Based Drivers Earn $37.40 Per Hour On Average and Restaurants and Merchants Earned Billions In Revenue Through App-Based Services in 2023

Data show that 1.6 million app-based drivers earned roughly $10 billion and app-based delivery services generated $12.9 billion in revenue for more than 196,000 restaurants, grocery stores, and other retailers.

A new statewide report conducted by the Berkeley Research Group (BRG)  found that more than 1.6 million California app-based drivers completed nearly 7.1 million trips and deliveries in 2023. In that same time period, app-based drivers earned an average of $37.40 per hour, including tips, and a total of nearly $10 billion across all California drivers. 

The new report analyzes anonymized data from app-based rideshare and delivery companies, offering an in-depth look into drivers’ earnings and preferences four years after the implementation of Proposition 22.

The analysis found that the vast majority of drivers overwhelmingly work part-time with app-based platforms. In 2023, nearly 70 percent of drivers worked fewer than five hours per week, and more than 92 percent worked fewer than 20 hours per week. 

“Being an app-based driver gives me the flexibility I need while providing essential income for my family,” said Al Porche, a San Diego app-based driver. “Whether it’s working for five hours a week or twenty, the control I have over my schedule is invaluable, as are the wages I earn.” 

The report also found that nearly $13 billion was generated for more than 196,000 restaurants, grocery stores, and other retailers in 2023. On a per-merchant basis, the average revenue generated through delivery platforms was more than $65,000.

The report was conducted independently by BRG economists and researchers using anonymized data provided by the four major app-based rideshare and delivery platforms in California — Uber, Lyft, Instacart and DoorDash. 

Driver Numbers at a Glance

• In 2023, there were approximately 1.6 million drivers who performed at least one ride or delivery across the DoorDash, Instacart, Lyft, and Uber platforms in California. 
  • Together, those drivers completed more than 7.1 million trips or deliveries in California.
• California app-based drivers earned an average of $37.40 per hour, including tips.
  • App-based drivers collectively earned  $10 billion across California.
• In 2023, more than 92 percent of drivers worked fewer than 20 hours a week on average. Only 7 percent of drivers worked more than 20 hours per week.

Merchant Numbers at a Glance 

• In 2023, almost 200,000 restaurants, grocery stores, and other retailers connected with customers on the DoorDash, Instacart, and Uber (Uber Eats) platforms in California.
• Collectively, these merchants generated $12.9 billion in revenue through the platforms.
• Each merchant account earned more than $65,000.

About Protect App-Based Drivers & Services (PADS) Coalition

The Protect App-Based Drivers & Services (PADS) coalition, formerly the Yes on Prop 22 coalition, is continuing to engage to ensure the will of California voters is upheld; to protect access to independent, app-based jobs; and to preserve the availability, affordability, and reliability of on-demand app-based rideshare and delivery services that are essential to Californians and our economy.

Proposition 22 was supported by 59% of California voters, 120,000 drivers, and a diverse coalition of more than 140 groups including social justice, senior, community, business, veterans, and many others.