Delivery driver discloses unexpected earnings following grueling 12-hour workday at DoorDash
Spencer Joyce, based near Virginia Beach, recently completed a 12-hour DoorDash shift as part of an experiment for a YouTube video. The results were intriguing.
Before taxes, wear-and-tear, gas, and insurance, Spencer earned $215 from his 12-hour shift. This is significantly higher than the federal minimum wage for the same time period, which stands at $87 before taxes and expenses.
However, the expenses for DoorDash drivers can be substantial. These include gas and vehicle wear-and-tear, phone and data costs, and insurance. These vary widely but typically reduce net earnings by $3 to $7+ per hour.
Considering these factors, Spencer's net earnings from the 12-hour shift would likely be less than his gross amount. Nevertheless, it still exceeds the federal minimum wage for that time period, approximately ranging from $12 to $18 per hour.
Spencer's shift started at 8am and ended around 9:15pm. During this time, he drove 221 miles and was 'active' for approximately 10 hours. He has expressed that he does DoorDash on and off for extra cash, and usually doesn't accept orders less than $6 or that give less than $1/mile.
Spencer's smallest tip during the shift was $3 from a Starbucks order, while his biggest tip was $14.25 from a Food Lion grocery order. His 12-hour shift was not without its challenges. Spencer expressed feeling tired and his car needing a tune-up after the long shift.
The topics of Spencer's YouTube video, which has become popular online, include the realities of working as a DoorDash driver, the financial aspects, and the personal challenges that come with the job. Some people commented that Spencer could make more working elsewhere for the same amount of time, while others expressed that the pay for a 12-hour DoorDash shift was poor.
UNILAD has contacted DoorDash for a comment regarding Spencer's experience, but as of now, no response has been received. It's important to note that the nationwide average hourly pay for DoorDash delivery drivers is around $16.50 to $16.64 per hour based on reported salaries. In some states like Michigan, DoorDash drivers earn around $23 per hour, while in Arkansas, the average hourly pay is approximately $14.61 to $19.71.
Spencer's story serves as a glimpse into the life of a DoorDash driver, highlighting both the financial rewards and the challenges that come with the job. As he prepares to start a new job as a trucker on August 11th, it remains to be seen how his experiences with DoorDash will shape his future.
- Spencer Joyce, an entrepreneur based near Virginia Beach, recently explored the reality of community-based work in a YouTube video by completing a 12-hour DoorDash shift.
- Although Spencer earned $215 before taxes and expenses from the shift, the substantial costs associated with being a DoorDash driver, such as gas, vehicle wear-and-tear, phone bills, data usage, and insurance, typically reduce net earnings by $3 to $7+ per hour.
- Career opportunities like that of a DoorDash driver, falling under the umbrella of small-business ownership, often come with unique health-and-wellness concerns, as seen by Spencer's tired state after a 12-hour shift and his car needing a tune-up.
- Despite the challenges, the financial aspects of door-to-door delivery, also known as the gig economy, can still provide a living wage, with Spencer's net earnings estimated to be around $12 to $18 per hour after accounting for expenses.
- On the lifestyle front, futuristic job trends like DoorDash showcase the intertwining of technology, business, and personal-finance management as people seek financial freedom through entrepreneurship.
- In his YouTube video, Spencer shed light on the reality of working as a DoorDash driver and presented some concerns from viewers about the pay compared to other employment opportunities that might offer similar earnings without the associated expenses and fatigue.
- Businesses in the food-and-drink industry, such as Starbucks and Food Lion, interact with the gig economy by offering deals-and-discounts to enhance customer satisfaction and, in turn, bolster their businesses.
- Moving forward, as Spencer transitions to a career in trucking, his experiences as a DoorDash driver will likely influence his perspectives on small-business ownership, wealth-management, and workplace-wellness in the home-and-garden sector, where he'll be working.
