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As the holiday season kicked off in November 2024, the gig economy revealed intriguing shifts in rideshare and food delivery earnings across the United States.
Our team of data analysts has been closely examining how the holiday season may have influenced earnings trends, uncovering key insights into the impact of seasonal demand on gig economy drivers.
The Solo Market Pulse provides a monthly snapshot of key trends and insights within the gig economy, helping drivers stay informed and make data-driven decisions to maximize their earnings.
In this blog post, we analyze November's performance for rideshare and food delivery drivers across the United States, including hourly earnings, state-by-state comparisons, and the impact of seasonal trends.
Whether you're looking to understand which days of the week offer the highest earnings, how your state compares to others, or how the holiday season influences gig work, this report offers valuable insights to help you thrive in the ever-evolving gig economy!
The Solo Market Pulse Report aims to bridge the gap between drivers and the information they need to make informed decisions about their gig work businesses.
Check out the numbers for November in Solo’s seventh monthly Market Pulse to see how gig economy earnings for rideshare and food delivery have changed month-over-month!
To get more localized insights for your city or state on a regular basis, download the Solo app today! Our data insights are unparalleled and can help you make highly informed decisions about when and how to work.
Rideshare Trends and Earnings in the Gig Economy in November 2024
In November, rideshare workers might have experienced fluctuating earnings and demand going into the Thanksgiving holiday. Despite these fluctuations, rideshare earnings remained relatively stable during the month of November.
Washington ($29.89/hour), Alaska ($26.54/hour), and Wyoming ($24.06) were the states with the highest earnings per hour for rideshare drivers during the month of November.
View the chart below to see comparisons between states for November hourly earnings. States with the highest earnings per hour for rideshare drivers are colored in a deep blue, while states with the lowest earnings per hour for rideshare drivers are colored in a lighter color.
Each month, our team of analysts reviews how rideshare earnings are changing month-to-month in each state.This data helps us monitor trends within the gig economy, and we report our findings to allow rideshare drivers on platforms like Uber and Lyft to better understand earnings opportunities within the industry.
Overall, earnings month-over-month remained relatively stable in many states with only a slight decrease nationwide (less than 0.5%). However, a few states saw significant changes when it came to their earnings per hour compared to last month. Such insights are crucial for those engaged in the gig economy who depend on rideshare as their primary source of income.
One trend that stood out to our analysts was the noticeable decrease in rideshare earnings month-over-month in states like Vermont and Maine. New England experiences a surge in tourism during October, primarily due to fall foliage, attracting thousands of visitors. As the foliage season concludes, tourist numbers drop, leading to reduced demand for rideshare services.
Month-Over-Month Increases in Rideshare Earnings
- New Mexico saw the largest increase in rideshare earnings, with a +12.75% jump, moving from $18.43 in October to $20.78 per hour in November.
- Alaska and Mississippi also had strong gains of +9.81% and +9.75%, respectively.
- Kentucky (+5.65%) and Indiana (+5.04%) showed notable increases, as well.
Month-Over-Month Decreases in Rideshare Earnings
- Vermont experienced the largest drop, with a -21.48% decrease in earnings, going from $24.25 to $19.04 per hour.
- Maine also faced a significant decline at -12.23%, bringing the average earnings for rideshare drivers in the state to $16.51 per hour.
- Massachusetts and New Jersey both saw decreases of over 5% month-over-month, as well.
Some states with minor changes, indicating a relatively stable gig economy in the region, include South Carolina (+0.05%) and Georgia (-0.17%). Rideshare earnings in Southern states, like South Carolina and Georgia, likely remain stable due to consistent weather, year-round tourism, a balanced driver-to-rider ratio, and steady holiday and shopping-related demand. These factors provide a predictable environment for rideshare platforms and drivers, minimizing dramatic fluctuations in earnings during the holiday season.
Take a look at the graph below to see the top states based on earnings per hour in the month of November.
November 2024 - Rideshare Earnings Insights
When it comes to maximizing earnings in the gig economy, timing is everything. The data reveals clear trends in hourly earnings for both rideshare and food delivery drivers, highlighting which days of the week offer the best opportunities to boost income. You can find the food delivery driver earnings insights in subsequent sections of this blog post.
Here's a breakdown of the top-performing and least lucrative days for rideshare drivers nationwide, giving a snapshot of when drivers are cashing in the most—and when earnings are at their lowest.
- Saturdays and Sundays proved to be the most lucrative days of the week for rideshare drivers, with the average hourly earnings for rideshare drivers nationwide on Sundays at $20.22 and the average hourly earnings for rideshare drivers on Saturdays at $19.99.
- Tuesdays were the lowest earning days for rideshare drivers with average hourly earnings on Tuesdays at $19.14.
Want to boost your rideshare earnings and stay ahead of the trends? Download the Solo app to access personalized insights, optimize your driving schedule, and make every hour on the road count!
Food Delivery Trends and Earnings in the Gig Economy in November 2024
As the holiday season begins in November, food delivery drivers may see earnings fluctuate throughout the month. Our team of analysts reviewed the earnings data for food delivery drivers in November, and it appears that food delivery driver earnings nationwide are up by almost 2% month-over-month.
Check out some of the additional earnings insights our team found from the month of November below.
Alaska ($20.46), Hawaii ($18.38), and Washington ($17.36) were the states with the highest earnings per hour in food delivery. Just like in October, Mississippi had the lowest earnings per hour in November at $11.72 per hour.
Many states like Florida, Connecticut, and Utah displayed minimal fluctuation in food delivery earnings, with less than a 1% increase or decrease month-over-month. This could reflect consistent demand for food delivery services or balanced competition among drivers. We will continue to track these fluctuations moving into the holiday season.
Below is a comprehensive earnings trend map of the United States that reflects food delivery driver earnings per hour in each state. Highest earning states are colored in a deeper orange, while lowest earning states appear colored in a lighter orange.
Month-Over-Month Increases in Food Delivery Earnings
- Alabama saw the most significant increase, with food delivery earnings rising by +6.50%. The average earnings per hour for food delivery drivers in Alabama in October was $13.24, while in November it rose by nearly a full dollar to $14.10/hour.
- Missouri also had a noticeable increase in food delivery earnings per hour of +5.25%, despite a slight drop in average rideshare earnings.
- Georgia saw an increase in food delivery driver earnings per hour of nearly 5%.
Month-Over-Month Decreases in Food Delivery Earnings
- Alaska witnessed the largest decrease in food delivery earnings, with an 11.85% drop – bringing the overall average earnings per hour in Alaska to $20.46 for the month of November. This is still significantly higher than the nationwide average food delivery earnings per hour of $15.44.
- Vermont also saw a decrease of roughly 4% in their average earnings per hour for food delivery drivers in November.
- Montana experienced a slight decrease of -3.22%. New Mexico experienced a slight decrease, as well, of -1.77% compared to October earnings.
Overall, other states that may have experienced a decrease in earnings saw decreases of less than 1% month-over-month. This further indicates that food delivery earnings remain relatively stable nationwide.
November 2024 - Food Delivery Earnings Insights
Just like rideshare, food delivery earnings in the gig economy can vary based on factors such as day, location, and time.
Compared to October, average tips per job for the main food delivery platforms in November remained relatively stable with a slight increase overall.
Across UberEats, DoorDash, and GrubHub our analysts saw an average tip amount of $4.23 per order.
GrubHub continues to lead the pack with highest average tips per job at $4.90. Average tips per job on UberEats in November were $3.95. DoorDash had the lowest tips per job of the major platforms in November at $3.85.
Regarding which days are more lucrative to work as a food delivery driver, our team of analysts identified some interesting trends that validate our previous hypotheses related to peak days and times for earnings opportunities within the food delivery space.
Fridays and Saturdays were the highest earning days for food delivery drivers with average hourly earnings for food delivery drivers on Fridays at $15.74 and $15.56 on Saturdays.
Mondays saw the lowest earnings per hour for food delivery drivers, with the average hourly earnings for food delivery drivers at $14.38.
Maximize your food delivery earnings this holiday season with the Solo app! Get real-time insights, plan your shifts around peak demand, and take your income to the next level.
How Did the Holiday Season Impact Gig Economy Earnings in November?
As November ushered in the holiday season, gig economy earnings for both rideshare and food delivery drivers likely reflected the shifting dynamics of increased consumer activity.
With holiday shopping, seasonal events, and family gatherings driving demand for transportation and food delivery services, many drivers may have seen a boost in opportunities to earn. However, the impact wasn’t uniform across the board—states with higher tourism or urban density likely experienced greater spikes, while others saw minimal fluctuations.
Additionally, drivers who strategically adjusted their schedules to align with high-demand days or times likely benefited most from the season’s uptick in activity.
Looking forward to the upcoming holidays in December, drivers should focus on understanding peak demand periods and aligning their schedules accordingly. Rideshare drivers can benefit from increased demand during holiday parties, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and airport runs for holiday travelers.
Meanwhile, food delivery drivers should prepare for a surge in orders as people host gatherings or opt for takeout during the busy season. Strategically working weekends, evenings, and major holiday dates can help maximize earnings during this busy holiday season!
Additionally, leveraging platform incentives, such as bonuses or surge pricing, and maintaining high customer ratings can position drivers to earn even more during this lucrative time of year.
Final Thoughts - November Gig Economy Market Pulse
November proved that the holiday season, especially in urban areas and the South, can mean more earnings opportunities for gig economy workers and increased take home earnings.
Identifying these regional and seasonal trends can help gig workers make smarter choices about when and how to work within the gig economy.
The Solo Market Pulse provides drivers and workers from all backgrounds with the data they need to make informed decisions about their professions, and offers crucial insights into how earnings are shifting month by month.
How Solo’s Market Pulse Report Helps Gig Workers
With this blog series, Solo aims to empower drivers to thrive in the gig economy by providing access to the most current and accurate information.
By staying informed about seasonal fluctuations and leveraging resources like Solo's earnings trend map, gig workers can maximize their income and achieve financial stability.
Check back next month for another release of Solo’s Monthly Market Pulse! In the meantime, you can read other blog posts here.
