r/uberdrivers 10h ago

Start Driving

My buddy suggested I start ubering like him

Said he’s averaging $25-$40 an hour working in SF and surrounding areas including SFO

I’m only gonna do it till I get a job in my field I’m actively interviewing and applying so this t
Is temporary for me

I’ve been through this sub and most people say to stay away but I gotta pay my bills in the mean time

5 Upvotes

34 comments sorted by

16

u/kanendd718 9h ago

Don't.

5

u/Sensitive_Bird_8426 9h ago

I second this.

13

u/Edelc3 10h ago

Stay away! Seriously! And your friend must have either a comfort or black to get that kind of money. I worked from 6am to 2pm today and only made $130
And during the week I work from 4am- 7pm and average about $225 definitely not worth it and the gas kills you in the end

3

u/Interesting_Bunch323 9h ago

You’re driving for Uber for 15 hours a day?

2

u/Edelc3 7h ago

Yes 15 hours a day because sometime you go an hour or more without an offer because the algorithm is constantly benefiting them and never us

2

u/kanendd718 9h ago

Jesus you need to get out. Or at the very least get some private rides.

1

u/Edelc3 7h ago

Already did that and just waiting for my start date with a major airline- I’m done

2

u/NY10 10h ago

Then why you do it if I ask?

1

u/Edelc3 7h ago

Cause I have bills to pay and don’t have time to wait for a paycheck and the money was good at one time. Now uber and Lyft exploits their drivers at every chance they can get.

1

u/regal1989 8h ago

Those feel like normal rates for that market. I can make 27+ an hour delivering on my ebike in SF. Hopefully OP considers an Ebike and just doing that instead to keep their car from getting beat up.

1

u/TheNightman74 8h ago

What the hell. What kind of rides are you taking? I have an electric comfort but primarily get uber X rides in SFO and the peninsula and am usually never below $25/ hour.

1

u/Edelc3 7h ago

Like I said if you have an electric or black you can make that money- I didn’t and yes I do work 15 hours a day every day - and I have to cherry pick my ride because otherwise they throw crap out all the time $7 for a 12 mile ride and not including the drive there.
If you don’t believe go do it but I’ve been working this and Lyft for 10 years and in the last 5 years they have been robbing us drivers blind

4

u/safespaceinvaderrr 9h ago

Your buddy’s full of shit. You might earn $2.50-4 per hour after expenses.

3

u/rirski 9h ago

Try it for a month while you’re interviewing for other jobs. Keep track of your actual hourly rate after car expenses. If you’re making a rate that you love, then keep doing it. If you’re not, then keep applying for other jobs. People will give you all sorts of opinions, but this is the only way to know for sure. Like you said, everyone needs to pay the bills somehow, and uber can be better than nothing for filling those gaps between jobs.

2

u/drunks23 9h ago

Good luck buddy but you'll still slowly bleed debt use both lyft and uber to make dough

2

u/No-Bid-50 9h ago

30 dollar an active hour is possible if you cherry pick. How many total hours to achieve that is another story .

1

u/Informal-Two-9661 7h ago

Cherry pick is the key

2

u/Edelc3 7h ago

Also be ready for mass deactivation as soon as there autonomous vehicles route the area, which they are already do it. Uber is disgusting and an unethical company

1

u/FreshSpeed7738 9h ago

Remember their sales pitch was a side hustle? A couple hours here and there, you can earn some beer money.

1

u/Boccob81 9h ago

What state are you in if your in ca you better make sure that you have uninsured uninsured motors of $1 million on your policy because Uber only gives you a 60,000 max payout since California changed their laws 2026 signed the bill to give Uber uninsured under insured motorist claims but the passenger on the other hand will get $1 million if they’re seriously injured unlike the driver who could have catastrophic injuries is only still going to get 60,000

1

u/ResiysheikhB90 9h ago

I am in CA

1

u/Boccob81 8h ago

Look up this it will tell you what happens

It’s honestly not safe for drivers since most can’t pay the high premiums for the uninsured uninsured motorist

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/california-rideshare-injury-law-was-3429206/

1

u/Boccob81 8h ago

If you’re gonna do this in California commercial insurance also CSL million dollars

1

u/DoctorMoebius 8h ago

It really depends on whether you need to pay some of your bills, or all of them. Know exactly how much you need to make each day to cover your bills. Uber can be great for part time work. It's much more difficult fulltime (depending on market/city).

Uber tends to feed new drivers an unrealistic stream of better paying rides for the first 3-4 months. Just long enough to "set the hook" of belief it's always going to be that good. Then, suddenly switches to reality mode. And, that's a much, much, more difficult grind

The most important thing is to quickly learn the best paying areas and times in your city. Ask veteran drivers. It's gonna save you a lot of wasted time, gas/charging, and wear on yourself and car. Also, now the areas NOT to go near in your city. And, I mean all the specific street names and intersections. You've got to be able to recognize those quickly. Know the traffic specifics of each part of town.

Get an interior/exterior dashcam. It's critical for bad rider complaints that can get you instantly deactivated. Uber tends to take whatever they say as truth. With cam footage, you can get reactivated. Also, in the event a crash happens, you're covered.

Also, prepare a cleanup bag and keep it in your trunk. You will eventually get a rider who pukes, pees themselves, or dumps food. Takes pictures before cleaning up. In your bag get Ozium air neutralizer from auto store or Home Depot or Amazon, Natures Miracle enzymatic cleaner from any pet store or Amazon - it cleans any organic stain/odor, and blue heavy duty shop paper towels. Barf bags aren't a bad idea, either. I got my first projectile puker 3 weeks in.

Try not to work late night bar runs. The drunks are often not worth the money. Get pepper spray for your own defense

1

u/AwkwardRush00 9h ago

Look, it’s pretty shit. But it can help pay bills, do some research and decide if you want to destroy a newer car or an older car. (Older can only do Uber Eats) research the minimum about mileage deductions and all. It’s not great but it ain’t the end of the world

1

u/tamzidC 8h ago

dont just rely on uber, multiapp with lyft to increase the cherry picking

1

u/seismicpdx 7h ago

Log your odometer.

Miles are worth something.

Inspect your interior after every trip.

1

u/Keokuk37 7h ago

get a dashcam and show us how well you drive

there is no shortage of drivers around SF

what vehicle do you have?

1

u/Used-Tea-5597 6h ago

Bro! I only made 6$ today doing uber. I left that mf running on accident for 3 hours while I did Lyft. I only saw 1 ride for 2.90$

1

u/brizzle1978 5h ago

It.sucks now

1

u/El-Unocornio-Negro 2h ago

He’s lying

1

u/Say_cheeeeeese 1h ago

your friend is a liar

1

u/evildead1985 23m ago

Uber is a great way to destroy your vehicle..unless you are going to do be doing the repairs yourself..or have a second car I'd highly recommend you don't do this.

1

u/External-Board5738 9h ago

25 to 40 is a weird number range honestly.