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Is DoorDash Still Worth it in 2025/2026?
Rich Nerd
November 13, 2025
My Rich Nerds,
Many of you ask me, “Unc, is DoorDash still worth it in 2025?” I can’t believe I’m about to say it, but back in my day (damn, I’m getting old), we didn’t have easy access to gig work. Instead, we had to get a regular part-time j*b (censoring the word, as to not offend our Gen Z readers). Regardless, I’m constantly amazed at the endless opportunities to make money these days, especially with the gig economy.
Back in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Silicon Valley did what it does best — “disrupt.” Uber flipped the taxi industry on its head, Airbnb brought hotels to their knees, and DoorDash made it perfectly normal for your delivery driver to show up in sweatpants instead of a uniform.
While these companies continue to spark controversies, they undeniably did something big. They democratized entire industries. Suddenly, anyone with a phone and some hustle could earn extra income on their own schedule.
Fast-forward to today, and the most asked question isn’t whether gig work changed the world — it’s whether it still works for the people doing it. So let’s talk about DoorDash in 2025–2026.
Below, I’ll break down how DoorDash earnings really work in 2025, where the best money is made, and what drivers actually take home after expenses. Then we’ll hear from a fellow Rich Nerd’s DoorDash experience, and finally, I’ll give you my take on whether gig work still makes sense in today’s economy.
Salary
DoorDash earnings are all about variability. When you dash matters (lunch rush vs. mid-afternoon lulls). Where you dash matters (downtown hotspots vs. suburbs). And how you dash matters (short, stacked routes vs. long-distance hauls that eat your gas money).
Still, when you zoom out, you can find a pretty clear range of what drivers are actually making. I (as in ChatGPT) pulled average hourly earnings from DoorDash’s top 5 markets and another 5 mid-sized or smaller ones. Here’s the rundown:
Top 5 Markets:
City | Hourly Gross | Notes |
San Francisco, CA | $20–$32 | High tips, dense orders, many bike deliveries |
New York City, NY | $18–$30 | High volume, wide borough variation |
Los Angeles, CA | $17–$26 | Traffic & neighborhood matter |
Seattle, WA | $17–$25 | Consistently top-tier payouts |
Washington, D.C. | $16–$25 | Strong tips, compact zones |
5 Mid-Size/Smaller Markets:
City | Hourly Gross | Notes |
Boise, ID | $12–$18 | Strong peaks, low competition |
Omaha, NE | $11–$17 | Shorter drives, lower volume |
Des Moines, IA | $11–$16 | Weekend peaks, modest tips |
Springfield, MO | $10–$16 | Light demand, occasional bursts |
Asheville, NC | $11–$17 | Tourism helps on weekends |
Now, you might look at those numbers and say, “Not too shabby — that’s above minimum wage!” But slow down, Rich Nerds — that’s gross, not net. You still have to subtract gas, insurance, maintenance, taxes, and all that dead time between orders when you’re just sitting there burning fuel and scrolling TikTok. Once you add it all up, most Dashers are really pocketing closer to $10–$18 an hour.
Don’t just take it from me, take it from a fellow Rich Nerd, Jonathan C., and his experience DoorDashing around Denver:
“Imran, DoorDashing is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get. Some shifts I’d make $100 (gross) in two hours; other times I’d be parked at Yogurt Brothers, shooting the breeze with Steve (another Dasher) while he talked about his wife, just waiting for an order to come through. After factoring in gas alone, I averaged about fifteen bucks an hour over 150 orders. It’s great for a college kid looking for spending money, but it’s not exactly a sustainable way to make ends meet. And honestly, sliding down icy roads to deliver taquitos from 7-Eleven to stoned rich kids, not my idea of fun.”
My Take
Yes, DoorDash can help you cover bills or get some quick cash. But if you’re spending those same hours grinding for tips, you’re not building leverage for your future.
Instead, invest that time into yourself. Pick up skills that translate into better opportunities — coding, digital marketing, sales, design, data analytics, or even a trade like HVAC or electrical work. Each new skill compounds, which you can't say about DoorDash (or gig work more generally). Each certification or project brings you closer to one stable, well-paying job — not three gigs just to stay afloat.
During a recent audit livestream, an auditee expressed that he was considering taking on a second job to make ends meet. To redirect the conversation toward long-term growth, I asked, “What is your end goal career-wise?” He shared that he ultimately wants to become a plumber in Ohio.
I encouraged him to explore ways to start that path now rather than delay it with short-term side jobs. According to Indeed, the average pay for a DoorDash driver in Ohio is approximately $15.96 per hour, while the average wage for plumbers in Ohio is about $28.41 per hour.
An extra $12.45 per hour adds up quickly! For example, if he worked 40 hours a week:
As a DoorDash driver: $15.96 × 40 = $638 per week
As a plumber: $28.41 × 40 = $1,136 per week
Over the course of a year, that’s roughly $25,000 more in earnings—a substantial increase that could help him meet financial goals much faster AND spend more money on what he loves NOW.
By focusing on entering the plumbing trade now—through training, apprenticeship, or certification—he could replace the need for a second job with a single, higher-paying and more stable career path.
So tell me, Rich Nerds — what skill or career path have you been putting off for the comfort of quick cash?
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