DoorDash is a popular on-demand food delivery service that allows customers to order food from local restaurants through a mobile app or website. DoorDash drivers, also known as Dashers, complete the deliveries and earn money based on factors like distance, time, and desirability of the order. While DoorDash is available throughout the United States, there are differences between states when it comes to how much Dashers can earn. This article will explore which states pay Dashers the most on average for DoorDash deliveries.
Main Factors That Impact Dasher Earnings
There are a few key factors that influence how much a Dasher can make in a given state:
Cost of Living
States with a higher cost of living tend to have higher earnings potential for Dashers. The cost of living impacts how much customers tip, and DoorDash bases part of driver pay off expected tips in each geographic market. Areas with higher incomes and more expenses generally tip more per order.
Population Density
More populous areas typically have busier markets with a constant stream of delivery opportunities. Densely populated cities and metro areas allow Dashers to complete deliveries more efficiently and frequently during a shift. Less downtime between orders leads to higher potential earnings.
Market Saturation
If there are fewer Dashers on the roads in an area, each Dasher is likely to get more orders. Newer DoorDash markets often start off with high demand and a smaller supply of drivers, increasing earnings. As more drivers sign up, the market becomes saturated and it can be harder to get consistent deliveries.
Average Order Value
Some restaurants and food types tend to have higher average order sizes. Areas with more expensive restaurants or larger orders will result in larger delivery payouts for Dashers. Geography, restaurant landscape, and customer preferences all impact average order pricing.
Taking these factors into account, here are some of the states that currently offer the highest Dasher earnings according to various sources.
States With the Highest Dasher Earnings
California
California is home to several bustling metro areas with dense populations like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. As one of DoorDash’s early markets, it also benefits from customer awareness and loyalty to the brand. The combination of market maturity, population, and a high cost of living helps California top many lists for Dasher earnings. One analysis shows average hourly earnings of $22 for California Dashers.
New York
Similar to California, New York state benefits from major metro markets with concentrated populations like New York City, Buffalo, Albany, and Rochester. These areas have expensive costs of living and higher order values. According to Dashers, it’s possible to earn over $25 per hour during peak times in New York.
Texas
Major cities in Texas like Houston, Austin, and Dallas offer plentiful delivery opportunities for Dashers. Texas is a fast-growing state for DoorDash, so market saturation has not brought earnings down yet in many areas. Lower cost of living also helps boost effective hourly pay for Dashers in the state. Reports show Texas Dashers making $20-25 per hour at peak times.
Washington
While less populous than California and Texas, Washington state has a few advantages that boost Dasher earnings. No state income tax allows Dashers to keep more of what they make. Seattle and Tacoma offer dense urban zones with affluent populations that order frequently. Dashers report averages of $22-$27 per hour in peak times.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts packs a lot of population and dining opportunities into a small geographic area. Having major markets like Boston and Cambridge where parking is limited makes DoorDash an attractive option. Dashers can earn up to $25 per hour during peak times when order volume is high. Surge pricing around big events also increases earnings potential.
Factors That Reduce Dasher Earnings
It’s not all positive news, however. There are also some factors that can negatively impact how much DoorDashers make in certain states:
Low Population Density
Sparsely populated rural areas mean fewer orders coming in for Dashers. Long distances between merchants and customers also increases time between deliveries while decreasing tips. These issues lower overall hourly earnings.
High Dasher Saturation
As DoorDash grows in popularity, more drivers sign up as Dashers, saturating the market. Too many drivers means more competition for available orders and less consistent delivery opportunities. Peak pay incentives can decline as well.
Low Order Values
In some markets, customers tend to order more affordable menu items and tip less overall. Cheaper average order values make it harder for Dashers to earn as much per order. Lower income areas typically reflect lower order values.
Poor Road Infrastructure
Cities with significant traffic congestion or poor road conditions make completing deliveries take longer. This cuts into time that could be spent on more orders. Geographic constraints, like oceans or rivers mitigating sprawl, can exacerbate congestion.
Long Distances
Sprawling metro areas or delivery regions covering large geographic zones mean more time driving between pickups and drop-offs. Some regions may lack density to support profitable short-distance deliveries. More miles driven per order reduces overall hourly earnings.
Factors That Impact Dasher Earnings By State
Now that we’ve looked at some of the key factors influencing Dasher earnings, we can analyze individual states in more detail. Here are some examples showing how geographic and market differences contribute to Dasher earning potential.
California
- High population density
- Expensive cost of living
- High average order values
- Established markets with strong order volume
- Significant traffic congestion
California has some of the busiest metro markets in the U.S. which keeps order volume high around major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. However, low-density areas and extreme traffic in urban zones can limit deliveries. Overall the positives outweigh the negatives in California.
New York
- Constrained geographic area concentrates deliveries
- Cost of living is high, especially in NYC
- NYC metro has highest DoorDash market share nationwide
- Limited parking makes DoorDash more appealing
- Old infrastructure and congestion hampers deliveries
New York shows how small geographic zones with dense populations can drive Dasher earnings. NYC popularity is countered by traffic and infrastructure challenges, but the sheer order volume keeps earnings potential sky-high.
Texas
- Booming populations in major metros
- Sprawling zones mean longer average delivery distances
- Less traffic congestion than coastal cities
- Growing popularity means less driver saturation
- Lower taxes and cost of living
Texas shows how driver saturation and cost of living impacts play a role. Spread out zones limit efficiency but lower taxes and expenses enhance earning potential.
Oregon
- Lower population density outside Portland metro
- Constrained geographic area west of the Cascades
- Moderate traffic congestion in Portland
- Driver saturation increasing in metro area
- Average order values and tip amounts are lower
Oregon demonstrates how density, topography, saturation and lower order values reduce earning potential relative to the highest paying states.
Highest Paying DoorDash Cities
We’ve looked at factors on a state level, but individual cities also impact DoorDash earnings. Here are some of the best metro markets for maximizing Dasher pay:
Chicago, IL
Combination of density, order volume, parking challenges, and affluent tips make Chicago a top paying metro area. Typical dinner earnings range from $20-$30 per hour.
New York City, NY
Extreme density and population plus limited parking and vehicle access make NYC the perfect environment for DoorDash. Dashers can make $25-35 per hour during peak times.
Seattle, WA
With constrained geography and low rideshare competition, DoorDash dominates delivery in Seattle. Rainy weather also boosts orders. Dashers average $22-$28 per hour.
Los Angeles, CA
LA’s sprawl is countered by dense traffic and huge population. Order volume sustains earnings of $25-$35 per hour at dinner peak.
Washington DC
Affluent population, chronic traffic jams, constrained geography and many apartment dwellers push Dasher earnings up to $22-$28 per hour in DC.
Lowest Paying DoorDash States
At the other end of the spectrum, here are some states that offer lower earnings potential for DoorDash drivers:
Arkansas
Low population density and cheap cost of living hurt tips and order values. Lack of major metro markets also limits orders.
Mississippi
Sparse populations spread across wide distances plus low costs of living equal smaller average payouts per order.
South Dakota
With lower costs of living and no major cities, South Dakota lacks the demographics to generate significant delivery demand.
Kentucky
Kentucky suffers from similar issues as others on this list – low density populations, cheap costs of living, and lack of affluent metro areas.
West Virginia
Challenging topography across the state exacerbates the issues of low density populations and limited metropolitan delivery markets.
Strategies for Increasing Dasher Earnings
While geographic factors play a major role, Dashers can also optimize their personal strategies and improve their earning potential. Here are some tips:
Take advantage of peak times
Focus late afternoon/dinner and lunch hours when order volumes surge. Avoid slow mid-day periods to maximize orders per hour.
Learn your metro area
Figure optimal pickup and drop-off routes during peak traffic. Find locations with frequent quick deliveries from dense restaurants.
Drive for multiple services
Toggle between DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub etc to fill delivery gaps and maximize earnings.
Accept higher value orders
Aim for orders from pricier restaurants or larger ($100+) subtotals to increase tips and payouts.
Track expenses and tax obligations
Deduct eligible expenses and save for quarterly estimated taxes to keep more of what you earn.
Take advantage of promotions and peak pay
Earn extra during busy periods or hit promo order goals to increase incentives.
Optimizing delivery strategies, finding top paying locations, and running multiple delivery apps allows Dashers to earn at the highest rates possible in their geographic market. Choosing the most lucrative areas however remains the biggest factor driving Dasher earnings.
The Importance of Geographic Market
As we’ve seen, a Dasher’s geographic location and metro market matters immensely for determining earning potential on DoorDash. Factors like population density, cost of living, order values, infrastructure, driver saturation, and more all influence average payouts.
Urban locations in affluent metro markets with high order volumes, parking limitations, traffic constraints, and wealthy customer demographics offer the greatest Dasher earning opportunities. By focusing efforts in top cities and monitoring local promotions and peak pay incentives, Dashers can maximize their delivery income.
While geographic differences exist, DoorDash drivers across the country provide an important service delivering food and other items to hungry, busy, or homebound customers. Their flexible work as contractors helps millions get convenient access to local businesses. Analyzing differences between markets ensures Dashers can earn fair payouts in their area that reflect local conditions.
Conclusion
Based on market demographics and Dasher reports, California, New York, Texas, Washington, Massachusetts and similar states with major metro centers consistently offer the highest earning potential for DoorDash delivery drivers. Opportunities concentrate in dense, affluent cities where order demand outpaces driver supply. On the flip side, smaller population states in less expensive parts of the country tend to generate lower average hourly pay.
However, Dashers in any market can optimize their strategies and increasing earnings by working peak times, taking high-value orders, running multiple apps and focusing on top-paying zones. While constrained by geographic factors, striving to provide excellent service helps DoorDash couriers thrive in the growing food delivery industry.