Real Hourly Pay Calculator for Delivery Drivers
The app shows what you were paid. This shows what you actually kept after gas, car wear and taxes.
| What the app hourly looks like | |
| Gas cost | |
| Wear & tear cost | |
| Profit per mile driven | |
| Real hourly pay after estimated tax |
Results update as you type. Last updated October 2026.
How the real hourly pay is figured
Delivery apps advertise earnings per hour based on the money that lands in your account. That number leaves out the two biggest costs of the job: the gas you burn and the wear you put on your car. This calculator takes your total pay for a shift, subtracts both, and divides by every hour you were logged in, including time spent waiting for orders.
Gas cost is miles driven divided by your car's miles per gallon, times the price you paid per gallon. Wear and tear covers tires, oil changes, brakes and the repairs that come sooner when you drive for work. Ten cents a mile is a reasonable starting point for an average sedan; older cars, trucks and SUVs often cost more.
What to set aside for taxes
Gig drivers are self-employed, so nobody withholds taxes from your pay. The good news is that you can deduct the IRS standard mileage rate (72.5 cents per mile for 2026) for every business mile. That deduction usually covers more than your real gas and wear costs, which lowers your taxable profit. The tax estimate here applies self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of profit) plus a rough 10% for income tax. For a more complete picture, use the quarterly tax calculator.
Tips to raise your real hourly pay
- Count every mile, including the drive back from a far-away drop-off. Those miles cost you money and they are deductible.
- Decline offers that pay well under $1 per mile unless the restaurant is close and quick.
- Work the busy windows (lunch and dinner) when waiting time is shortest.
- Track a full week, not one lucky shift. Averages tell the truth.