How Much Does GrubHub Pay in 2024

If you’re considering getting into the food delivery side hustle, you may be wondering how much Grubhub pays, especially if you’re also thinking about driving for DoorDash or Uber Eats.

Since Grubhub started operating in 2004, the food delivery business has grown exponentially, and it just keeps getting bigger. According to Statista, by 2024, food delivery revenue is forecasted “to exceed 85 billion U.S. dollars” making it a favorite side hustle for thousands of people. 

While Grubhub’s market share is not as big as DoorDash or Uber Eats, they offer the same flexibility and fast payouts as competitors, as well as some cool bonus options to boost your pay.

To help you make the most money, let’s dive into Grubhub’s pay structure as well as the expenses you’ll incur as a delivery driver. We’ve got you covered with this guide to how much Grubhub pays.

What Is Grubhub?

Grubhub is the OG food delivery service, and they’ve still got strong name recognition. Customers in more than 4,000 cities can use the Grubhub app to order food. Delivery partners (drivers) pick up orders from restaurants and deliver them to customers.

As a delivery partner, you accept orders through the app and have the flexibility to choose when and where you want to work.

How Grubhub Pays

Drivers get paid via direct deposit every Thursday. Alternatively, drivers can use the Instant Cash Out feature on earnings up to $500 a day. This option is free for Chase Bank customers and 50 cents per transaction for all other bank customers. 

Your “delivery pay,” as Grubhub calls it, is a combination of your base pay and any applicable bonuses. As with most food delivery companies, you keep 100 percent of your tips. 

Drivers aren’t paid a flat hourly rate, so to figure out how much you will average per hour, you’ll need to understand what factors contribute to your income.

Let’s look at this pay structure in more detail:

• Delivery Pay: Factors including mileage, time spent delivering, and your local market impact delivery pay.
• Tips: Customers have the option to tip, and if they do, you keep 100 percent.
• Missions and Special Offers: Grubhub incentivizes completing deliveries in a certain time frame in certain markets, so you can make more money through these missions.
• Grubhub Contribution: To help ensure you earn a minimum guaranteed rate for your local market, you can make yourself available (like a taxicab with its light on) for a scheduled block of time. To participate, you must meet certain criteria, including at least an 80 percent rate of completing the deliveries you accept.

• Sweepstakes: In some markets, Grubhub also lets drivers compete to win sweepstakes that boost earnings.
• Expenses: To really understand your net pay, be sure to factor in fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, and insurance.

How to Maximize Your Grubhub Pay

Various factors can influence your earning potential as a Grubhub driver: 

• Block Scheduling: By delivering during a set window, you take advantage of the “Grubhub Contribution,” a feature that guarantees a certain rate of pay per hour. 
• Tips: While you can’t control whether a customer tips or how much, by having a positive attitude and delivering on time, you may get better tips. 
• Missions and Sweepstakes: Grubhub offers promotions to help drivers boost their pay by completing specific goals in a set amount of time.
• Mode of Transportation: If you deliver via bicycle (available in certain cities), that’s one way to reduce your delivery time as you avoid traffic delays. You also don’t have to factor in vehicle and gas expenses which may help you net more money per hour.

Why Drive for Grubhub

Entrepreneurs who choose Grubhub over other food delivery apps often say it’s because of the Grubhub Contribution concept. It helps you better predict your pay, whereas with companies with no guaranteed rate, you might experience more fluctuation in your earnings. To learn more, check out our Grubhub Driver Review.

Grubhub offers the flexibility of setting your own schedule, no people in your car (as with ride-sharing apps), and the freedom to work as often or as little as you want. Plus, food delivery is great for people who love to be out and about and not stuck behind a desk or computer.  

How much Grubhub pays really depends on your effort: how much time you work, whether you work during the busiest times of day, and the demand in your market.

Expenses for Grubhub Drivers 

Grubhub delivery partners who use their own vehicles need to factor in common expenses including gas; wear and tear on their vehicles; and auto maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations, and brake checks.

You’ll need good auto insurance and a smartphone with the Grubhub app, too. Remember, as a delivery partner for Grubhub, you will be an independent contractor, so keep good records of your earnings and tax deductible expenses, and talk to your tax professional about what to expect at tax time.

Considerations for Food Delivery Drivers

When it comes to making money with food delivery apps, location plays a significant role, with densely populated areas often offering more delivery opportunities. Additionally, being efficient and familiar with the app’s features can help you optimize your delivery route and increase your earnings.

If you’re wondering how Grubhub’s pay structure compares to other popular food delivery platforms like DoorDash, this review can help: DoorDash vs. Grubhub.

While there are similarities in terms of base pay, tips, and bonuses, each platform has its own unique features and incentives. If you’re considering multiple platforms, it’s worth exploring the differences in pay structures to make an informed decision.

Apps to Help Grubhub Drivers 

Grubhub drivers can take advantage of a variety of apps to maximize their efficiency and earnings. For navigation, Google Maps and Waze are reliable options providing real-time traffic updates, which can be invaluable in ensuring prompt deliveries. 

Stride is another handy app that can help track mileage for tax deduction purposes. Additionally, Audible or Spotify can be great companions on the road to keep you entertained during your delivery rounds. 

MileIQ or Hurdlr can be used to track miles for tax purposes, making it easier to claim deductions during tax season. 

If you’re looking to streamline your earnings and expenses information, consider apps like QuickBooks or Expensify, designed specifically for independent contractors and freelancers. They can aid in tracking income and expenses, as well as provide helpful insights into your financial performance. 

Requirements to be a Grubhub Driver

To deliver food for Grubhub, you need to meet the following requirements:

• Be 18+ years of age
• Own an iPhone with iOS 11 or higher or an Android with 5.0 or higher
• Have a data plan
• Have a checking account for direct deposit

If you’re delivering by car, you’ll need:

• A driver’s license
  • If 19 years old or more: valid license for at least two years
  • If 18 years old: valid license for at least one year
• Auto insurance 

If you’ll be using a bike to make deliveries, you’ll need either a valid state ID, driver’s license, or passport.

Final Words on How Much Grubhub Pays

How much you get paid as a Grubhub driver depends on various factors, including base pay, tips, bonuses, market conditions, and your vehicle costs. By leveraging your knowledge of the system, being efficient, and providing excellent service, you can maximize your earnings and make the most of your time on the road.