If you have ever wondered how much food delivery drivers working for DoorDash or Uber Eats earn in New York City, especially in 2025, you are not alone. A lot has changed in just the past couple of years—and it has changed for the better. Thanks to a new law passed by the city, these app-based restaurant delivery workers are finally seeing a big improvement in how they are paid. Let us break it all down for you in simple terms.
What is the new minimum pay for delivery drivers in NYC?
Since April 1, 2025, delivery drivers in New York City are now earning $21.44 per hour before tips.
Here is what you need to know:
- This rate applies to app-based delivery workers—meaning drivers who deliver food for apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and others.
- It does not matter if you work part-time or full-time. As long as you are working through one of these apps in New York City, you are supposed to earn this rate per hour.
- The $21.44 hourly rate does not include tips. So if a customer tips you, that is on top of your hourly pay.
- This pay rate is adjusted every year for inflation. So it may increase even more in 2026 and beyond.
How was the $21.44 rate decided?
The new amount is not a sudden decision. It was part of the effort by the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). They spent years studying what delivery drivers really earn, the costs they deal with, and the conditions they work under.
Some important facts they discovered:
- Before the law, many drivers were earning as low as $5.39 an hour before tips.
- Most of these workers are immigrants, and many use their bikes, phones, and equipment without getting any support from the app companies.
- Delivery work is physically demanding and often dangerous, especially in bad weather or heavy traffic.
So the city is doing their best to support these ones by creating a rule that ensures they are paid more fairly. It also considers that they do not get benefits like health insurance or paid time off.
Do drivers actually get the $21.44 per hour?
Yes, they do—at least that is what the city is enforcing.
Since December 2023, the city began legally requiring delivery apps to pay the full minimum rate. As a result:
- Apps have already paid over $700 million in extra wages to more than 60,000 delivery workers.
- The city also set up hotlines and websites where drivers can file complaints if they are not getting paid correctly.
- Delivery drivers can call 311 and say “delivery worker” if they have questions or want to report a problem.
Is the $21.44 pay worth it?
Here is the simple truth—it is way better than what most drivers were earning just two years ago. And while $21.44 per hour might not make you rich, especially with the cost of living in New York, it is a step in the right direction.
But remember:
- You still have to cover your own costs—like bike maintenance, gas (if you drive), your phone, and your internet.
- You also do not get health insurance, paid leave, or retirement benefits like a traditional job would offer.
- Some drivers say that during slow hours or in certain neighborhoods, they still struggle to hit the full hourly minimum—but the city is cracking down on that too.
How can you earn even more as a delivery driver?
Here are some of the ways you can earn more if you want to join these brands as a delivery driver:
- Work during peak hours like lunch and dinner rush.
- Stack orders when the apps allow it.
- Know your neighborhoods—some areas tip better or have more frequent orders.
- Keep your customer rating high to get better orders from the apps.
- Track your expenses so you can see what you are really making after costs.
In the end, the $21.44 hourly pay is a win for delivery workers. It may not solve every issue overnight, but it puts more money in their pockets and gives them a little more control over their work.
