Wondering how to become a Uber food delivery driver in Canada? Or not sure which platform to choose – SkipTheDishes or Uber Eats?
Do you want to earn a decent income but feel confused about which platform offers the best financial benefits?
Then you’re in the right place.
After all, not all gigs are created equal, and making the right choice can significantly impact your earnings.
Below, we’ll explore all the nitty-gritty details to help you compare SkipTheDishes and Uber Eats to determine which might put more money in your pocket when you deliver food.
How Much Can You Earn As A Delivery Driver in Canada?
In Canada, the average delivery driver can expect to make approximately CAD 35,100 per year or CAD 20.69 per hour, according to data at Indeed.
However, it’s important to note this average can vary depending on the delivery app you choose, your location in Canada, and the hours you put in.
For example, if you’re living in Victoria, BC, the average hourly rate jumps up to $21.81. In contrast, the rate drops to $19.71 in Ottawa, ON.
What Affects How Much You Can Earn as a Delivery Driver?
Beyond your choice of app and location, there are a few other factors you need to know about to maximize your income in the gig economy.
- The Time of Day: The time you choose to work can impact your earnings, as different hours and days may have varying demand levels. Working during peak hours, such as lunch and dinner, and on busy days can help increase your earnings.
- Tips and Ratings: Earning tips on top of your hourly rate is the best way to increase your income as a delivery driver. How do you do that? Focus on providing excellent customer service to increase tipping amounts and maintain a high driver rating.
- Competition: The number of delivery drivers in your area can impact your earnings. High competition may lead to more drivers chasing fewer orders, potentially reducing individual earnings. You must usually be on the app and ready to accept an order or risk losing a delivery to another driver.
- Mode of Transport: Bikes are one of the most popular modes of transport. You can deliver the food faster, don’t require a valid driver’s license, zip past traffic, and complete more orders than a car.
RELATED: Reasons Why SkipTheDishes Jobs are the Perfect Gig for You
SkipTheDishes vs. Uber Eats
Okay, now that you know the average delivery driver salaries in Canada and the key factors affecting how much you can make, let’s compare two of the biggest food delivery apps.
What is The Average Base Hourly Rate for SkipTheDishes Couriers?
According to Indeed, the average SkipTheDishes delivery driver in Canada makes CAD 19.07. However, the app doesn’t have a “rate of pay”.
Instead, SkipTheDishes uses transit pay.
It’s a flat fee to drive to the restaurant, pick the food up,, and take it to the customer.
Before you accept an order, the app will show you the transit pay in advance, and if the customer is paying with a credit card, you’ll see the tip amount as well.
RELATED: Breaking Down The Guidelines For The SkipTheDishes Job
What Is The Average Base Hourly Rate for Uber Eats Drivers?
Uber Eats works differently.
Instead of using transit pay, your rate is calculated in the Uber Eats app using the following factors:
- A flat delivery fee
- A rate per mile from pick up to drop off
- A per-minute fee for the trip
These rates are estimates, and you’ll only see your final payment in the Uber Eats driver app after accepting and dropping off the order.
And unlike SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats delivery drivers won’t see the pick or drop-off location in advance.
According to data collected by Glassdoor, the average annual salary for an Uber Eats delivery driver in Canada is CAD 63,903, and Uber Eats drivers earn around CAD 20.
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Tipping With SkipTheDishes and Uber Eats
At SkipTheDishes, you receive 100% of the tip from each order you deliver.
The app will never subsidize your tips or pool tips for redistribution.
It’s the same for an Uber Eats driver.
You’ll get 100% of the tip, and even if it’s only $3, it adds up and can make a significant impact on how much you’re earning every month.
On Quora, one Uber Eats delivery driver shared a breakdown of their salary with the app.
60% of their income comes from tips and 40% from the base fare.
For example, if you make CAD 500 total for the week, 40% is CAD 200.
How can you increase your chances of getting a good tip with both apps?
- Use a thermal bag to keep your customer’s food warm.
- Pack the items carefully to avoid spilling.
- Double-check the order in the SkipTheDishes or Uber driver app before leaving the restaurant to ensure it’s correct.
RELATED: How to Earn Over $5K a Month as a SkipTheDishes Delivery Driver
Incentives and Bonuses With SkipTheDishes and Uber Eats
Incentives and bonuses are a great way to boost your earning potential without increasing your hours.
At SkipTheDishes, incentives are communicated via email or in the app, and you must meet all the requirements to qualify.
The food delivery app also offers an additional “Gear Up” incentive. It happens when SkipTheDishes sees the demand for couriers is high, but not enough drivers are online. If you accept any deliveries during this period, the incentive will be applied to all completed orders.
Uber Eats offers drivers Uber Eats Pro. A rewards program where you can earn points for each delivery and unlock rewards. Some of the rewards include discounts on car maintenance and e-bikes.
RELATED: Trends and Opportunities of Driving Jobs in Canada
What Are the Best Cities To Get Paid To Deliver With SkipTheDishes and Uber Eats?
As mentioned earlier, some cities in Canada have higher hourly rates than others, and the demand for couriers is higher.
Here are some of the best cities in Canada to get paid to deliver with SkipTheDishes and Uber Eats:
Toronto, Ontario: As Canada’s largest city, Toronto offers a bustling food delivery scene with high demand throughout the day. The city’s dense urban environment can result in shorter delivery distances, which means more deliveries and higher earnings.
Vancouver, British Columbia: Vancouver boasts a strong food delivery market, especially in neighborhoods with busy professionals and a thriving restaurant scene. With its pleasant climate, delivery drivers in Vancouver can work year-round, which is not always the case in colder regions. Plus, you can expect to make between CAD $60 to $100 per 4-hour dinner shift.
Calgary, Alberta: Calgary’s growing gig economy and expanding food delivery services offer drivers excellent opportunities. The city’s large geographic area means more potential deliveries, and the high average income in Calgary can lead to better tips.
Montreal, Quebec: Montreal’s vibrant food culture and diverse population create a constant demand for food delivery. The city’s combination of bustling neighborhoods and its popularity with tourists means you have plenty of opportunities to make a decent living as a shift worker.
Edmonton, Alberta: Edmonton’s expanding restaurant scene and its growing tech-savvy population make it a promising city for food delivery drivers. The city’s layout with large suburban areas means drivers can cover more ground for deliveries.
Quebec City, Quebec: Quebec City offers a thriving food scene, making it an excellent choice for delivery drivers. The city is also rated as the most generous regarding tipping delivery drivers.
How Can You Pick Up More Delivery Shifts and Maximize Your Earnings?
There is one major problem couriers face with Uber Eats and SkipTheDishes.
You have to be in the app to accept delivery requests.
Get Open Runs eliminates this tedious task, offering drivers a more innovative and efficient way to manage their time. The software’s ability to instantly grab open runs as they become available ensures that drivers can take advantage of every opportunity, whether it’s a lunch rush, dinner demand, or a late-night craving.
All you need to do is link your Uber Eats or SkipTheDishes account to your Get Open Runs profile, and you’ll get an SMS notification as soon as it grabs a shift for you.
By automating the shift-grabbing process, Get Open Runs removes the pain points associated with constant monitoring, allowing drivers to focus on what they do best—delivering food to hungry customers.
Which Food Delivery App Should You Choose? The Choice is Yours
In the battle of SkipTheDishes vs. Uber Eats, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The platform that will help you get paid more in Canada depends on various factors, including location, preferences, and the time you’re willing to invest.
Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, but understanding these differences is the key to maximizing your income in the gig economy.
The one thing you can do to increase your earning potential (no matter which app you choose) is to take advantage of Get Open Runs. You don’t need to download another app or open anything to confirm an order.
Once you’ve set up your availability, the only thing you need to do is wait for an SMS (text) confirmation and deliver the food.
Sign up for the 7-day free trial today and start catching more shifts on autopilot.
