Finding a part-time job is one of the main concerns for many college students in the United States. These days, there are many flexible options, which is essential for students as they need to get to classes, study, and balance jobs with their college courses. One of these options is working for UberEats, which can be a great way to cover some of your expenses without being subject to a specific job schedule. These are some of the details you need to know if you are considering food delivery with UberEats.
What is UberEats?
UberEats is the food delivery platform created by Uber. Drivers pick the orders from restaurants and bring them to clients to their homes or places of work. Drivers are independent contractors and they get payments according to the specific order, with no set salaries and no set schedules. Some of the UberEats requirements are:
- Being at least 18 or 19 years old depending on the state.
- If they’re driving a car, they need to have car insurance.
- Unlike the Uber rideshare service, cars can be older than 20 years.
- Smartphone where you can have the app that allows you to work.
Is UberEats a Profitable Job for College Students?
It’s all going to depend on your availability and how fast you can make deliveries. UberEats can be a great job for college students as it allows them to make money during their off time. However, if you are doing deliveries with your car, make sure you take into consideration car expenses, including fuel prices and your vehicle’s maintenance.
How Much Money Can Students Earn With UberEats?
Estimates vary. On average, you might earn around $3 per successful delivery. This roughly translates into a range that goes from $10 to $20 an hour. At an average of $15 an hour, you will be making minimum wage without having to respond to strict schedules. In addition, if a customer takes more than five minutes to pick up their food, you can get a $5 cancellation fee. Keep in mind that you need to verify if it is a drop-off or curbside delivery. In total, you will be paid a pick-up fee, a drop-off fee and you will also get an additional payment depending on the mileage between the restaurant and the customer’s address. Keep in mind that while you keep 100% of the tips, Uber takes 25% of your earnings. However, a great thing about UberEats is that customers are used to tipping for food. Therefore, there is a high probability of you getting tips after each delivery. Make sure you provide efficient service and that you are extra nice during every interaction. Tips can be added up to 7 days after the delivery.
Also, remember that customers can rate you, which is another incentive to be extra nice and as quick as possible when it comes to delivery. You also have access to additional fees through incentives such as Boost. Boost refers to specific payments that are made at peak hours. These are usually circumscribed to a specific high-demand area. Another great thing about the payment system is that payments are made weekly. You need to link a direct deposit account where you will get your earnings every week. If you are in a rush, you can directly transfer your payments to a debit card, which is great for emergencies.
What are The Essential Benefits of UberEats for Students?
There are many benefits specific to college students working for UberEats.
Flexibility
College students need to attend their classes, study, and have time for any extracurricular activities they are involved with. This can be a lot to juggle, especially if you get a job working in retail or in a restaurant where you need to comply with a specific set schedule. When finals come, you want to make sure you can manage your time in the best possible way. This is doable with UberEats. While you don’t have the job security you might perceive with a set part-time job, you have all the flexibility you need to make the most of your free time. Sometimes, there are gaps between your classes that are the perfect time to make a few deliveries. Other times, you have an entire afternoon off, or the professor does not come in that day. With UberEats, you can simply grab your bike or car and start working right away!
Immediate Access to Funds
As a college student, you might need the money right away for large or small expenses. This is another great benefit as you have access to your money weekly or you can even use your funds right away with the Instant Pay feature. Working while in college can be very taxing and stressful. However, with the flexible scheduling and requirements at UberEats, you can make the most of any free hours to cover some of your expenses without having to drop a class.