DoorDash connects customers with local restaurants using a website or mobile app.
Learn the pros and cons of working for Doordash as a delivery driver, which could provide you with a lucrative second income and a living wage.
Table of Contents
Pros of Being A DoorDash Food Delivery Driver
1. Flexible Working Hours
DoorDash food delivery drivers can choose their own hours and work around obligations such as family or school.
You can even get paid to wait for your next order while you waiting at the DMV, grocery shopping, or standing in line at the bank or post office.
Keep in mind, however, that you do not want to make customers wait too long for their orders.
2. Unlimited Earning Potential
The average hourly wage for a food delivery driver is $14-$16 per hour depending on where you live in the US.
You sometimes can even earn more than $20 per hour.
What is more, some customers give you tips of $20 or more for just one large family dinner order.
Working during the lunch and dinner rushes probably will make you the most money.
You never know what to expect – not always limited to the base pay.
3. No Need For Office Attire
You can usually dress however you want when working as a food delivery driver if you make sure you do not wear revealing tops or ripped pants.
The most important thing is to remember your food bag, not what you wear – no need for a suit and tie or dress shoes that hurt your heels or toes, for instance.
4. Potential for Daily Pay
The best part of food delivery driving is having a chance to cash in on part of your earnings every time you work.
DoorDash offers the FastPay option, which helps you “get by.”
Besides, you need gas money to complete your drops, so having the option for daily pay does help.
It usually costs at least $1.99 each time you request funds, however.
Therefore, use this payment option sparingly.
5. Gas Reimbursement
DoorDash offers up to 10% gas reimbursements as of March 2022.
In some locations, this even includes during times when you are not working as long as you are using DasherDirect.
6. Work Outside
You will not be stuck inside an office on a sunny day when working as a delivery driver.
This also gives you the chance to pet people’s dogs and exercise a little too.
7. Assisting Disabled People
Sometimes people with limited mobility use DoorDash.
This may provide you with personal fulfillment knowing you can make life easier for them.
Maybe they will appreciate you carrying their all the way from outside an apartment building to their inside door, for instance.
8. Stable Company
DoorDash stock shares rose by more than 27% by Feburary 2022 from the end of 2021.
Even after the 2020 pandemic ended, the food delivery industries in general seem to provide assurance of a stable income.
Since the company appears to have a stable financial future, you should not have to worry about job security.
Even if your hours fluctuate from week to week, it provides just as steady of an income as other customer service work.
9. Advancement Opportunities
Some people start out as food delivery drivers.
Then, they later work in dispatch or they become a delivery driver manager.
Otherwise, they might find open positions in Human Resources.
Some advanced DoorDash positions might require continued education, such as an associate or bachelor’s degree.
However, this food service company may have more openings than, for instance, a flower shop.
10. Easier Than Restaurant Work
When working as a food delivery driver, you do have to sometimes talk to customers.
However, you can complete one order at a time and not worry about a line of people staring at you.
That does not mean you will not have any challenges.
However, you at least do not have to work in a hot short-order kitchen if you do not want to.
You are not also the one having to wait on several people at once in a diner.
Delivery drivers usually have it easier than restaurant workers.
This position does have its stressful moments, however.
Cons of Being a DoorDash Delivery Driver
1. Driving In Extreme Weather Conditions
You might have to make a delivery in a suburb where they do not have streetlights, and it is down pouring or windy and snowy, for instance.
If you have bald tires, you could slide easily, and it may take you longer to complete your pickups and drops.
This could disqualify you for bonuses or extra tips because you will not be able to complete as many deliveries as you would in fair weather.
2. Delivery in Dangerous Neighborhoods
You might not have a say as to where you would go.
On the other hand, DoorDash does care about your safety, so you can say no if you know you might have to enter a dangerous neighborhood.
However, you might not even realize it until you arrive there and see a drive-by shooting or a drug bust.
In mid-sized cities of 100,000-300,000 people or less, this might not be as much of an issue.
However, it does concern people who live in large metropolitan districts with high crime rates.
Concerning safety, follow all guidelines and report suspicious activity immediately.
What is more, contact dispatch or the police if you feel a dangerous threat when on a delivery.
3. Driving In Rush Hour Traffic
You might contend with congestion if stopped by a boat or a train when delivery driving, for instance.
If you live in a city that has a home football game in progress, you might also become stuck in traffic if you receive orders before or after the match.
What is more, you could experience delivery delays because of an accident further up the road.
It is during these times when you hope you have patient customers.
They usually do not mind as long as you notify them as soon as possible.
4. Driving Accidents
If you are in a rush, you increase your chance of colliding with another vehicle.
Any hasty decision while delivery driving could cause you to end up in an accident.
However, it is not always your fault.
It just sometimes happens no matter how careful you are.
To assist you during accidents, find out what DoorDash benefits help you cover the cost of them, such as emergency roadside assistance.
Make sure you keep your vehicle insurance current too.
5. Vehicle Wear and Tear
When using your vehicle more often, it does increase its wear and tear of it.
You will need to fix it and change its oil more often, and this costs money.
DoorDash does, however, provide ways to save money on car maintenance.
Most food delivery companies, in general, also provide chances to acquire accident or repair insurance too.
If they do not provide it directly, they may at least make referrals.
6. Unpredictable Income
The food delivery industry has begun to boom, especially since 2020.
This trend will likely continue.
You probably will not have to worry about making enough money.
However, you may not always have the guarantee of having the same number of hours you had the previous week, month or year.
This could cause your income to fluctuate.
7. Hard-to-Find Locations
The GPS does not always pick up all delivery locations.
Your map, for example, may tell you to turn down a street that leads to a dead-end by a bridge, for instance.
At least you can contact your customers and notify them of what is happening and ask them to help you find their location.
Pros and Cons of Working for DoorDash – Summary Table
| Pros of Being A DoorDash Food Delivery Driver | Cons of Being a DoorDash Delivery Driver |
|---|---|
| Flexible Working Hours | Driving In Extreme Weather Conditions |
| Unlimited Earning Potential | Delivery in Dangerous Neighborhoods |
| No Need For Office Attire | Driving In Rush Hour Traffic |
| Potential for Daily Pay | Driving Accidents |
| Gas Reimbursement | Vehicle Wear and Tear |
| Work Outside | Unpredictable Income |
| Assisting Disabled People | Hard-to-Find Locations |
| Stable Company | |
| Advancement Opportunities | |
| Easier Than Restaurant Work |
Should You Become a DoorDash Food Delivery Driver?
A DoorDash food delivery driving job probably is ideal for anyone who is already working as a self-employed business owner.
It especially fits the freelance lifestyle because you can choose your hours and work around your current job.
In addition, it gives you an opportunity to work around school, children, your spouse, hobbies, volunteer activities and more.
Do not become a DoorDash driver if you do not have the right kind of vehicle for it.
You will need to prove your vehicle work and can remain safe in it on the road before you can drive for the company anyway.
If you do not want to become a driver, DoorDash may instead hire you as a dispatcher if you have experience in that occupation.
