Uber Eats Driver Pay Calculator (2026)

The app shows your gross fare. This shows what you actually keep after your car and the IRS take their cut.

Gross hourly
Vehicle cost (72.5¢/mi)
Self-employment tax
Est. income tax
Your TRUE hourly pay

Uber's mileage number is too low — and it's costing you

Uber's tax summary only counts on-trip miles. At 72.5¢/mi, the extra waiting and return miles you log yourself can add thousands to your deduction. A mileage app tracks every one automatically. Compare mileage trackers →

How this calculator works

Your true hourly pay is what's left after two costs the Uber driver app never shows: your car and your taxes. We subtract vehicle cost at the 2026 IRS standard mileage rate of 72.5¢ per mile — the IRS's own estimate of the all-in cost of driving, including gas, maintenance, and depreciation. Then we subtract self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of profit) and income tax at the bracket you pick. What remains, divided by your hours, is your real wage.

Why Uber Eats math is sneaky

Uber promotes gross fares and Boost zones, but stacked or long-distance deliveries can quietly bury you in miles. Earning $20/hour while driving 25 miles in that hour nets barely $5 after costs; earning $17/hour on 10 miles nets nearly $11. Use the per-mile readout above to spot which zones and order types are actually worth accepting — and decline the rest.

Also see the DoorDash, Instacart, Spark and Amazon Flex versions, plus how much your miles save you in taxes and what to set aside each quarter.

FAQ

How much do Uber Eats drivers really make per hour?

Gross $15–22/hr is common; after vehicle costs and self-employment tax the realistic net is often $7–14/hr depending on how many miles you drive per dollar earned.

Should I use Uber's mileage number for taxes?

Uber's tax summary reports only on-trip miles, which undercounts your real total. The IRS lets you deduct every business mile — including waiting and return drives — so your own log usually beats Uber's figure.

Do I owe self-employment tax?

Yes — if your net profit is $400+ for the year, you owe 15.3% on 92.35% of profit, on top of income tax. Mileage deductions reduce both.

Estimates for educational purposes only — not tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules vary by state and situation; consult a tax professional. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Uber Technologies, Inc.