But first, let’s get something established: DoorDash drivers prospered in 2020, and they’re on track to totally kill it in 2021.

Of course, DoorDash driver earnings are well-earned rewards for the hard work determined drivers put in. https://www.americashpaydayloan.com/pawn-shops-me According to the stats we collected last year, the average DoorDash driver (or, in DD lingo, Dasher) traveled anywhere from 75 to 290 miles per day. That’s a lot of mileage, and tons of food, groceries, and other great stuff making its way to customers’ doorsteps.

DoorDash drivers know better than anybody how hard they really work. As this popular delivery service continues to expand into groceries and maybe even more items, there will be a growing number of opportunities for Dashers to earn in 2021.

Active Dashers can work to qualify to take these orders

With the way the COVID-19 caused the delivery business to blow up, the way we see delivery has been completely transformed. That’s why we’re so curious about what will happen in 2021. Here’s what we’ll examine so we can find out:

The DoorDash pay model is based on what’s called a “black-box algorithm.” This is a set of calculations that weighs the value of a delivery based on time, distance, how easy the delivery is, and other issues. Hence, each delivery has a basic value.

Tips, of course, are at the discretion of customers, and the people you serve can add that extra cash in before or after they receive their delivery

Base pay is determined by the time, distance, and desirability of the order, and can range from $2 – $10. Longer distances, extended times, and deliveries that are less popular will create higher levels of base pay. The amount a customer wants to tip won’t affect this calculation though.

Promotions enhance earnings, and can be extended during peak times, Challenges reward drivers for completing a certain number of trips within a given time period, or for meeting earnings goals that are set for them.

Dashers can also earn extra with Drive orders, which are large orders that might involve catering or super-size grocery deliveries. They are not available to everyone.

The standard delivery fee of $5 is covered totally by customers, and they also pay a service fee of 10 percent, which doesn’t include the tip.This represents some portion of DoorDash’s take rate, along with what the restaurants pay to DoorDash.

Promotions geared toward customer discounts will lower a driver’s earnings. That’s because if a customer pays less for the order, the order yields less for the driver.

Hidden pay details can add some trickiness to working for DoorDash. When a call for delivery comes in, the driver sees a guaranteed amount that includes what DoorDash will pay, plus a tip if the customer has paid in advance.

The restaurant name, how far it is from the driver’s location, and how far he or she will have to travel to make the delivery will be shown; but the driver only has 30 seconds to calculate if picking up the ping will be worthwhile. Sometimes, the actual amount will be more than the guaranteed amount, and other times … it won’t. To navigate these situations, Dashers need to rely on their instincts.

Until recently, there was controversy over company policy regarding delivery fees and tips. DoorDash was called out for taking tips the customers gave drivers, and putting them toward the delivery fee paid to the drivers. That has changed, fortunately, and now drivers get to keep 100 percent of the delivery fee, plus any tips they receive.