UberEats Houston Driver Pay and Guide

Your guide on everything to know about being an UberEats Houston driver. We discuss everything from requirements to get started, hotspots to pick up orders, the sign up process and pay information. 

The best thing about being an UberEats Houston driver is the flexibility. There are no minimum hours, no requirement to sign up for shifts or complete a set number of deliveries. Work when you want to work!

Sometimes the pay can be a bit hard to understand, so we give you a better understanding of how the pay works, the rates and even have a calculator to check to see if your delivery fare. 

Let’s show you how to get started so you can hit the road and make some money!

Ready to get started as an UberEATS driver? Help keep us going and use our referral when you sign up!

Ways to Deliver in Houston

Currently, UberEats Houston is only accepting new courier applications if you can deliver by car or bike. The minimum requirements to get started are pretty simple.

*Not available in Boston

UberEats Houston Driver Pay

UberEats Houston driver pay is calculated using a combination of 4 factors: pick up, drop off, time and distance. You are not paid by hour but rather by delivery.

$1.50/Pick up

$0.70/mile

$0.26/minute

$1.00/Drop off

First of all, you will be paid a flat fee to pick up the food and a flat fee to drop off the food, totaling $2.50. 

Pay also includes a fixed amount per mile traveled from the restaurant to the customer. Unfortunately, you are typically not paid to travel to the restaurant. You also get a fixed amount per minute while on the delivery, which is based on an estimate that Uber’s algorithm calculates. 

Uber Eats - US - 5
Commissions and Extra Pay

Even more important to know is Uber takes a commission from the pay outlined above. This is known as “The Uber Fee”, or Commission, which is typically 25% – 35% but can be as low as 5%. This can vary though depending on when you signed up, method of delivery and if you also drive UberX or another passenger service. If you drive passengers as well, it is usually 10% lower. In some cities, Uber will also lower the commission to entice new drivers. 

During peak times Uber may offer a pay “boost”. This is where Uber uses a multiplier to increase your earnings. If an in-demand delivery area advertises a multiplier, like 1.5, then your pay is multiplied by 1.5 and therefore increased by 50%. The Uber commission is only applied to your initial fare, not the boost payment.

You can accept tips in cash or customers have the option to tip you in the app after the delivery is made.

35%

Uber Commission

Boosts Multiplier

Tips

UberEats Houston Pay Calculations

With all these commissions, boosts, and compensation factors, it can get a bit confusing to calculate your pay. Although Uber does it for you, it is helpful to check your trip earnings for errors. Sometimes they are way off on the distance or the boost pay isn’t quite right. Maybe their commission seems too high?

We have your covered! Try our NEW UberEats Pay Calculator. Just enter all rates for your city (found above) and the Driver Pay Calculator will do the work for you!

Once you do a couple trips, you can see how long they take and even calculate what you are making per hour.

How much will I make per hour?

UberEats Houston pay (according to self-reports by drivers) is estimated to be between $12 – $28 per hour. The reason why there is such a wide range of pay is because this is for all Uber drivers, including those who perform rideshare services. 

Average pay depends on demand, zone, tips, day and time, and of which service type you do plus how the boosts or surges are.

How do I get paid?

Method of Pay

Direct Deposit

Frequency of pay

Weekly unless you are eligible to sign up with Instant Pay to get paid daily if you want

Bonuses & Incentives

Incentive Programs

Yes. They can include incentives like a $3 bonus every trip completed in a particular area, like downtown. This is in addition to the boosts described above.

Hourly Guarantee or Standby Fee

For the most part, Uber does not offer hourly guarantees or standby fees for waiting online.

Referral Bonuses

Yes, so long as the new driver completes the required number of trips. Bonuses typically range from $50-$500.

Starting Bonus?

Yes, if you use an existing driver’s referral code. You usually have to complete a minimum number of trips within a certain time frame to be eligible.

UberEats Houston Driver Requirements

  • 19 years old or older for cars (18 years for cyclists)
  • 2-door or 4-door car 20 years old or newer
  • Valid driver’s license (You need to have a state-issued ID for cyclists.)
  • Valid vehicle insurance
  • Apple or Android smartphone

UberEats Houston Map for Drivers

Below you will find the UberEats Houston map that shows the delivery service zone. You can just deliver in Houston or also the surrounding area like The Woodlands, Pearland, Richmond, Sugar Land and Fresno. 

Delivery Area Houston

If you want to know the busiest areas, you can refer to the UberEats Houston map of hotspots. The smaller boxes show where most orders are coming from. The hotspots for UberEats Houston drivers are in Cypress, Sugar Land, Katy and of course, the core of Houston itself. 

Busiest Areas Houston

Sign Up Process

Step 1: Visit their website, download and sign up through their Driver app for Androidor Iphone.

Use a friend’s referral code or help support our site by using ours: g4j6h654ue. You can also click on this link.

Step 2: Upload the required documents.

Step 3: Wait for Uber to review your information and notify you when you have been activated.

Step 4: Download the Uber Driver app if you haven’t already done so.

Step 5: Finally, log into the app and go online whenever you want to start accepting delivery requests!

UberEATS FAQ

Do I need an insulated delivery bag? 

Bags are not mandatory but they sure help. You can by one through their supplier for approximately $11.25 including shipping. It is important to note, some restaurants may not allow you to pickup an order without a bag, particularly when delivering pizzas. Either way, the cost is pretty low. For cyclists, the cost is around $40.

Are there scheduled shifts?

No. Just log in to the app and go online. You will then begin to receive “Pings”, which are on-demand requests for deliveries. Accept or decline requests and log off whenever you want! Uber states you must keep a satisfactory acceptance rate or you will be deactivate but there are conflicting reports about this actually happening.

Are there a minimum number of deliveries I need to do to stay active on the platform?

No, but if your documents expire you will need to upload new ones (for example, insurance) before you can start driving again. 

Is there an orientation, interview or “onboarding” session?

No, everything is done online or you can you go the Greenlight Hub closest to you to sign up or get help if you need it!

How do multiple orders work?

Sometimes you will pick up more than one order at the same time from the same restaurant. In this case, everything remains the same except you get a drop-off fee for each location you deliver to. Of course, you will be paid the extra kilometres you drive and the extra time it takes but you will only be paid one pickup fee.

What happens if the customer doesn’t answer the door when I arrive?

Contact the customer by phone first. If they don’t answer, a timer will start and after 5-8 minutes you can leave and will still get paid the full fare. You can keep the food too! 

Contact Information

Uber support twitter: Uber_support
Uber Help Center: Help Center
Ubereats support number: 1-800-617-1979 (for drivers currently on deliveries)
Uber support number: 1-800-593-7069 (only for current drivers)

You can also access the phone number in your Driver App. Note: This will bring you to the main Uber support number and they may re-direct you to the Ubereats support number. 


About The Author: Commercial Driver HQ

Commercial Driver HQ strives to provide you with quality information about driving for a living. Whether you’re an Uber driver or a long haul trucker, we are here to help you succeed!

For everything rideshare and commercial driving, follow us at CDHQ!


FEATURED USER REFERRAL CODE

“Make sure you gas up before you start driving. You will get a bad customer rating if you have to stop for fuel during a trip.”
Doug’s Referral Code

Doug J.


Get CDHQ Updates Right To Your Mailbox!


Helpful Rideshare Links