Real Hourly Pay Calculator for Gig Drivers
See what you actually earn per hour after gas, wear on your car and taxes. Works for DoorDash, Uber, Lyft, Instacart, Amazon Flex and other apps.
| Weekly earnings | |
| Gas | |
| Maintenance and wear | |
| Federal tax to set asideSE + income tax, using the IRS mileage deduction | |
| What you keep each week |
How this is calculated
- App pay per hour = weekly earnings ÷ hours logged in.
- Car costs = miles ÷ MPG × gas price, plus miles × your wear cost per mile.
- Taxes: we multiply your weekly numbers by the weeks you work, estimate your yearly federal self-employment and income tax (using the IRS standard mileage deduction, split evenly across the 2026 rates), then divide back down to a week.
- Real hourly pay = what’s left ÷ hours.
Figures for tax year 2026. Full method and sources on our methodology page.
Common questions
What is a good hourly rate for DoorDash or Uber after expenses?
It varies widely by city, time of day and how selective you are with orders. Compare your after-cost, after-tax hourly figure from this calculator with what a local W-2 job would pay after tax.
Why is my real hourly pay so much lower than what the app shows?
The app shows gross pay per hour while on a trip. It doesn’t count waiting time between orders, gas, wear on your car, or the self-employment tax you owe.
What cost per mile should I use for wear and tear?
Many drivers spend somewhere around 15–25¢ per mile on maintenance, tires and depreciation, beyond gas. Older, high-mileage cars and big vehicles cost more. Track your own repair costs for a better number.
Does the tax figure include my mileage deduction?
Yes. We estimate your tax using the IRS standard mileage rate for 2026 on your business miles, which is how most drivers file. That deduction is usually larger than your real gas cost, which is why taxes are lower than many expect.
Last updated September 28, 2026. This calculator gives an estimate for federal taxes only and isn’t tax advice. State and local taxes aren’t included.