Gig driver earnings calculator
What a delivery or rideshare shift really pays per hour after gas, the mileage deduction and self-employment tax.
- ๐บ๐ธ US federal & state rules
- IRS 2026 mileage rates and 15.3% self-employment tax
- See sources
What you really made per hour
$24.34
$26.43 gross, minus $14.59 in gas and costs, over 7 hours
- Cash after costs
- $170.41
- After SE tax
- $154.47 ($22.07/hr)
- Gross per mile
- $1.95
- Cost per mile
- $0.15
This is an example. Enter your numbers above and press the button to see your own result.
Taxes on this period
| Mileage deduction (95 mi ร 76ยข) | $72.20 |
|---|---|
| Taxable net earnings | $112.80 |
| Self-employment tax (15.3% of 92.35%) | $15.94 |
- Gas is only part of the cost of driving. Wear, tires, insurance and depreciation add up, which is why the IRS mileage rate is higher than fuel alone. The deduction line shows that fuller cost.
- Federal and state income tax are not included. Self-employment tax covers Social Security and Medicare, and half of it is deductible on your return.
- California (Prop 22), New York City and Seattle set minimum pay floors for app drivers and delivery workers. Those are not applied here.
Show the math
| Gross earnings and tips | $185.00 |
|---|---|
| Gas: 95 mi รท 28 mpg ร $4.30 | โ$14.59 |
| Cash after costs | $170.41 |
| Per hour | $170.41 รท 7 = $24.34 |
What to do next
How it works
Gas cost is miles divided by your car's mpg, times the price per gallon. Cash after costs is earnings minus gas minus other costs, and dividing that by hours gives your real hourly rate.
For taxes, the calculator applies the IRS standard mileage rate to your miles instead of gas, because that is how the deduction works. Net earnings after the deduction are multiplied by 92.35% and then by 15.3% to estimate self-employment tax.
Things to keep in mind
Enter all miles while working, including the drive to the first pickup and the dead miles between orders. Those are deductible and they are a big part of the real cost.
Income tax is on top of self-employment tax and depends on your other income and state. The quarterly estimated tax calculator covers that.
Sources
Rules applied as of 2026-07-01. See the sources below for details.
- IRS Standard mileage rates (all years table)Checked 2026-10-19
- IR-2025-128 IRS sets 2026 business standard mileage rate at 72.5 cents per mileChecked 2026-10-19
- IRB 2026-29 (July 13, 2026) Announcement 2026-11 Optional Standard Mileage RatesChecked 2026-10-19
- IRS Topic no. 554 (reviewed 24-Sep-2026)Checked 2026-10-19
- IRS Publication 15 (2026), What's New, dated Dec 15, 2025Checked 2026-10-19
Frequently asked questions
How much do gig drivers really make per hour?
The app shows gross pay. Subtract gas, and the number drops. Subtract the full cost of the car using the IRS mileage rate, and it drops again. This page shows gross, cash after gas and the taxable number so you can see all three.
Should I deduct mileage or actual expenses?
Most part-time drivers come out ahead with the standard mileage rate because it covers depreciation and insurance without receipts. If you have a new or expensive car and drive a lot, actual expenses can be higher. You pick once per car.
Do I pay self-employment tax on app income?
Yes, if your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more for the year. The rate is 15.3% on 92.35% of net earnings. You also owe regular income tax on the net amount, and you can deduct half the self-employment tax.
Are tips taxable?
Yes, cash and in-app tips are income. For 2025 through 2028 there is a federal deduction of up to $25,000 for qualified tips, which can reduce income tax but not self-employment tax. If you are married, you need to file jointly to take it, and it phases out above $150,000 of income ($300,000 joint).