Guide to the New York City Earnings Standard
Guide to the New York City Earnings Standard
Overview
New rules impacting Dasher pay have been in effect in New York City since December 4, 2023. The new rules require that platforms in New York City pay Dashers according to one of the two pay methods, which will operate in practice as follows:
STANDARD METHOD – NYC Dashers earn a minimum earnings rate of $22.13/hr* for their individual active time on the platform (time spent on a delivery, starting from when the order is accepted), plus a weekly pay bonus for eligible Dashers who meet certain weekly criteria.
ALTERNATE METHOD – NYC Dashers earn a minimum earnings rate of $36.88/hr* for engaged time on the platform (time spent on a delivery, starting from when the order is accepted).
*Note: All pay rates are updated annually on April 1.
As of March 4, 2024, DoorDash transitioned to the “Standard Method” of pay outlined by the NYC Pay regulations, where Dashers earn a minimum guaranteed earnings of $22.13 per active hour (from when an offer is accepted until that offer is completed), with the opportunity to earn more through tips, incentives, and a weekly pay bonus (for Dashers who qualify for the new Dasher Rewards program). |
If you’re dashing in NYC, here’s a quick breakdown of how these new laws will impact your experience:
Earnings Minimum & Weekly Pay Adjustments: A Deeper Look
You’ll earn at a minimum rate of $22.13/hour for active time (from when an offer is accepted until it is complete).
How does the Earnings Minimum Work?
1. Continue to dash and earn per offer
2. Get paid each week: At the end of each week, Dasher earnings are reviewed to see if their DoorDash pay meets the minimum earnings.
If DoorDash pay is below the minimum earnings, we will add a pay adjustment the following Monday morning.
If DoorDash pay is equal to or more than the minimum earnings, Dashers will not receive a pay adjustment.
Dashers can view their pay adjustment in the weekly summary on the Earnings tab in the Dasher app.
3. If eligible, receive an additional weekly pay bonus: High-quality Dashers will have the opportunity to earn an additional weekly pay bonus if they meet specific criteria the week prior. Eligibility for a weekly pay bonus is tied to a Dasher’s rewards level in New York City. Learn more about the NYC Dasher Rewards program and weekly pay bonus structures here.
4. Receive payment in your preferred method
You will be able to continue receiving payment the way that you prefer.
You’ll still have the option to cash out daily with Fast Pay.
You'll still be able to receive Instant Payouts if you use DoorDash Crimson as your payment method.
What this looks like:
For example, let’s say that you dashed in New York City and the following were true for a given week:
Your active time* on orders either picked up or dropped off in NYC was 300 minutes (5 hours)*
Your DoorDash delivery pay for the week was $70
Plus, you earned $50 in customer tips
Your minimum earnings for the week would be: [5 hours x $22.13/hour] = $110.65
Since your DoorDash delivery pay ($70) was less than your minimum earnings ($110.65), you would receive a $40.65 DoorDash pay adjustment for the difference, bringing your total earnings for the week to $160.65 ($70 delivery pay + $40.65 pay adjustment + $50 tips).
*Note: Wondering how we define active time? View the FAQs section below for more information.
Here’s how this would look in your app:
In this example, what would happen if you earned above the earnings minimum?
Instead, let's say you dashed at peak hours and delivered faster to hit your earnings goals, totaling $120 in DoorDash delivery pay, plus the same $50 in tips. For that same week, the $170 ($120 + $50) in earnings would be yours to keep—and you'd earn above the earnings minimum.
Keeping you informed
You will be able to view your earnings adjustment on the weekly summary within the Earnings tab in the Dasher app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who does the Earnings Standard apply to?
A: The Earnings Standard applies to Dashers fulfilling deliveries with a pickup or drop-off location in New York City. Deliveries that occur in adjacent areas of New York state, New Jersey, and Connecticut do not qualify.
For example, if you deliver an offer with a pickup in New York City and a drop-off in Yonkers, New York, the delivery will qualify for the New York City minimum pay regulations. However, if you pick up AND drop off a delivery in Yonkers, NY, the delivery will not qualify for the New York City minimum pay regulations.
Q: What is the definition of active time?
A: Active time, for purposes of New York City minimum pay regulations, is the time you're engaged in completing an offer, which begins the moment you accept an offer and ends once you drop it off to the customer. Only active time for offers with a pickup or drop-off in NYC will count towards the minimum earnings.
*Note: If you deliver orders both within and outside New York City during your time dashing during a given week, only your active time spent on orders either picked up or dropped off in a New York City zip code will be applicable to the earnings minimum. So if, for example, you had 400 minutes of active time during a given week, but only 300 of those minutes were spent on deliveries with a pickup or drop-off in NYC, and the other 100 minutes were spent on deliveries within New Jersey, only those 300 minutes will count towards the minimum earnings.
Q: If I’m eligible for a pay adjustment, when will I receive it?
A: Pay adjustments are issued on Mondays, but may take approximately 3 business days to show up in your account. For example, if you’re eligible for a pay adjustment the week of December 4-10, the adjustment will be processed on Monday, December 11. There is no action required from you. The pay adjustment will be reflected on your earnings screen immediately. Your regular weekly earnings will continue to be deposited in your bank account as usual, and you’ll still be able to access Fast Pay.
Q: How can I become eligible for a weekly pay bonus?
A: Eligibility for a weekly pay bonus is tied to a Dasher’s rewards status in New York City. Learn more about the NYC Dasher Rewards program and weekly pay bonus structures here.
Q: How will I get paid?
A: Dashers will continue to receive their earnings the same way, whether that’s weekly pay or instantly when opting for Fast Pay or DoorDash Crimson. Please note that pay adjustments for minimum earnings are issued weekly, so Dashers will receive that portion of their earnings on a weekly cadence.
Q: How do you calculate active time for batched orders?
A: Active time includes all the time you are on any delivery, starting from when you accept it. For batched orders, this starts from when you accept the first order and ends when you make the last drop-off.
Q: Will I be paid back for tolls and fees?
A: No. You are responsible for tolls and fees (parking fees, parking tickets, or traffic tickets). To learn more, see here.
Q: Am I still going to receive tips?
A: Yes, as always, you will receive 100% of tips in addition to your DoorDash pay. You’ll be able to view the customer tip amount in the breakdown of your earnings in the Dasher app after an offer has been completed.
Q: If I normally dash outside of NYC but want to dash in NYC temporarily, what does that mean for me?
A: You’ll still be able to dash wherever you choose. Keep in mind, only deliveries with pickups or drop-offs in New York City zip codes will be subject to the minimum earnings requirements described above.
Q: Do referral bonuses count toward my minimum earnings?
A: No, referral bonuses do not count toward your minimum earnings.
Other Laws Applicable to NYC Dashers
Other Delivery Worker Laws went into effect in April 2022. If you’re dashing in NYC, view more information about these laws and how they work, click here.
