Short answer: Atlanta delivery drivers' earnings vary widely by app, hours, zone, time of day and tips, so there is no single number. What matters is profit: gross pay minus gas, car costs, phone and taxes, which you can estimate from your own app earnings history.
“How much can I make?” is the first question most new delivery drivers ask. The honest answer is that it depends on when you drive, where you drive, which apps you use, and how much customers tip. Pay rules also change often.
This guide explains how the apps pay, what moves earnings up or down in Atlanta, and how to work out your real profit after costs.
How do delivery apps pay drivers?
Most delivery apps pay a base amount per order, plus promotions, plus customer tips. Amazon Flex is different and pays by the block. Here is a high-level view. Each company updates its pay model from time to time, so always check the app for current details.
| App | How pay usually works |
|---|---|
| DoorDash | Base pay per order, plus promotions like Peak Pay or challenges, plus tips. Some markets also offer a pay-by-time option. |
| Uber Eats | A trip fare based on time and distance, plus promotions like boosts or quests, plus tips. |
| Instacart | A batch payment for each shopping or delivery order, plus tips and occasional promotions. |
| Amazon Flex | A set amount for a scheduled block of hours. Some offer types may include tips. |
| Grubhub | Base pay per order, plus tips, with optional scheduled blocks. |
Many drivers run more than one app at a time. This is called multi-apping, and it can cut down on time spent waiting for orders.
What affects how much you make in Atlanta?
Timing, location and tips have the biggest effect on what you earn. A few hours at the right time can beat a whole slow afternoon.
Peak meal times
Lunch (about 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and dinner (about 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.) are usually the busiest. Late nights near colleges and nightlife can also be busy.
Weekends and bad weather
Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons often bring more orders. Rainy days usually do too, because fewer people want to go out.
Busy zones
Dense areas like Midtown, Buckhead, Downtown, Decatur and Sandy Springs tend to have lots of restaurants and short trips. In Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, Duluth and Norcross have busy shopping corridors. Short, frequent orders usually pay better per hour than long drives.
Traffic
Time in traffic is time you are not paid well for. Rush hour on I-285, I-85, GA-400 and the I-75/85 Connector can slow you down. Georgia Express Lanes can save time, but you need a Peach Pass and you pay the toll.
Tips
Tips can be a large share of each order. Fast, careful delivery and clear messages with customers can help.
What costs do delivery drivers pay?
Delivery drivers pay all of their own costs, because they are independent contractors, not employees. Common costs include:
- Gas. Usually your biggest daily cost. A high-MPG car makes a real difference.
- Your car. A car payment, a rental, or wear on a car you own.
- Insurance. Personal policies may not cover delivery work, so check yours. Read do I need insurance to deliver food?
- Phone and data. You need a reliable phone and a plan with plenty of data.
- Supplies. Insulated bags, a phone mount and a charger.
- Taxes. Apps generally do not withhold taxes for you.
Do delivery drivers pay taxes?
Yes. As independent contractors, delivery drivers pay their own income tax and self-employment tax, and many pay estimated taxes during the year. Setting aside part of every payout helps avoid a surprise bill.
You can typically deduct business mileage using the IRS standard mileage rate, or deduct actual expenses. The rate changes, so look up the current year’s rate on the IRS website. Keep a mileage log, and talk with a tax professional about which method is best for you.
What does a sample week look like?
The table below is an illustrative example only, not a promise of earnings. It shows three possible weeks for a driver renting a car. Your numbers will be different.
Assumptions:
- 40 hours online in the apps for the week
- Gross pay of $15, $20 or $25 per hour, including tips (an assumption, not an app rate)
- 600 miles driven in a fuel-efficient car averaging about 45 MPG
- Gas at about $3.00 a gallon (Georgia prices go up and down)
- About $15 for the week’s share of phone and data
- A ShahGo rental at $450 a week, before rental tax
| Weekly line item | Slow week | Average week | Strong week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay (40 hours) | $600 | $800 | $1,000 |
| Gas (about 13 gallons) | about $40 | about $40 | about $40 |
| Phone and data | $15 | $15 | $15 |
| Car rental | $450 + tax | $450 + tax | $450 + tax |
| Left before taxes | about $95, minus rental tax | about $295, minus rental tax | about $495, minus rental tax |
The formula is simple: gross pay - gas - phone - car cost - rental tax = what’s left before income taxes. Plug in your own numbers. If the rental price changes, redo the math.
As you can see, a slow week can leave very little. If you only drove 20 hours at $15 an hour, you would gross about $300, which would not cover the weekly rental. Some weeks may not be profitable. Renting makes the most sense if you plan to drive enough hours each week.
How can you check what you would really make?
The best way to estimate your earnings is to look at your own app earnings history. Most apps show your weekly totals, tips and active time. Divide your weekly earnings by your hours online to get your real hourly rate.
If you are new, try a few shifts at different times and in different zones before you decide. Compare the cost of renting with owning in our guide on renting vs. buying a car for delivery.
How does renting from ShahGo work?
ShahGo rents fuel-efficient sedans to delivery drivers in metro Atlanta for $450/week + tax. Insurance, routine maintenance and unlimited miles are included, and you pay for gas. There is a $500 refundable deposit, a 2-week minimum, and weekly card autopay. Learn more on rent a car for delivery.
Our cars are for delivery only, such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, Amazon Flex and Grubhub. Paid passenger rides like Uber or Lyft rideshare are not allowed, which keeps the cars set up for delivery work.
Frequently asked questions
Is delivery driving in Atlanta worth it?
It can be, if you drive during busy times and keep costs low. Track your real hourly profit, not just your gross pay.
Which app pays the most in Atlanta?
It changes week to week and by zone. Many drivers run two or more apps and keep the offers that pay best for the time and miles.
How many hours should I drive to cover a rental?
Divide the weekly rental, gas and other costs by your own hourly gross. That tells you how many hours just break even before you start making profit.
Do I need my own insurance with a ShahGo rental?
Insurance is included in the weekly rate. See the requirements for who can rent.
Ready to start? Check that you meet the requirements, then apply here. Questions? Call us at (770) 800-3365.