How much do Uber drivers in Miami make? This was the topic of a conversation between a passenger and a Hispanic Uber driver during a ride in the City of Sun. "I work between 8 and 9 hours a day," the driver is heard saying in a video posted by the user caroo.pereez on TikTok.
The driver stated that he exclusively works for Uber and can earn between $200 and $220 a day. "Sometimes you can do a little better, sometimes a little worse, depending on how the day is," he mentioned, using Friday, the day the video was recorded, as an example.
This response led the spontaneous interviewer to consider fuel costs. "I refuel every day. Every day I use half a tank," the driver responded, prompting the passenger to calculate that if he refuels half a tank daily, at $3 per gallon, the net earnings would be approximately $200.
"But overall, you earn better," said the driver, who works every day of the week, comparing this job to regular or part-time jobs available in Miami.
Uber's Requirements and Restrictions
In each country, Uber sets specific requirements for cars and drivers. Among the most significant are that drivers must be at least 16 years old, have a four-door vehicle in good condition without any cosmetic damage, and no commercial branding is allowed.
Regarding driving time, the company limits the hours a driver can work for safety reasons. Uber restricts driving time to 12 hours; if exceeded, the app will automatically disconnect the driver for 6 consecutive hours. Drivers receive notifications in the app when they have 2 hours, 1 hour, and 30 minutes of driving time remaining. The hours reset after the driver disconnects for 6 hours or more.
However, not everything is rosy for those who dedicate themselves to this app. Last February, drivers for Uber, Lyft, and Doordash protested at Miami Airport and other U.S. cities against low pay. Justice for App Workers, a national coalition of rideshare and food delivery platform drivers with over 100,000 members, organized the action, urging drivers to turn off the apps from 11 am to 1 pm on Valentine's Day as a form of protest.
They claimed that Uber "takes more than it should." "They used to pay 80% to the driver and kept 20%. Now, they keep up to 60% of the earnings," they argued.
In response to the strike, Uber issued a statement saying, "These types of events rarely impact trips, prices, or driver availability, and we expect the same. Most drivers are satisfied; earnings remain strong, and as of the last quarter of 2023, drivers in the U.S. earned about $33 per active hour."
Disgruntled drivers anticipated that Uber would defend their claim of making "$33 an hour," but they insist this argument is false.
Earnings and Challenges for Uber Drivers in Miami
This section addresses frequently asked questions about the earnings and challenges faced by Uber drivers in Miami.
How much do Uber drivers in Miami earn per day?
On average, Uber drivers in Miami can earn between $200 and $220 per day, depending on various factors such as the day of the week and demand.
What are the fuel costs for Uber drivers in Miami?
Uber drivers in Miami typically use half a tank of fuel daily, which costs about $3 per gallon, significantly impacting their net earnings.
What are the requirements for becoming an Uber driver?
Drivers must be at least 16 years old, have a four-door vehicle in good condition without any cosmetic damage, and no commercial branding is permitted.
How does Uber manage driving hours for safety?
Uber limits driving to 12 hours. If exceeded, the app disconnects the driver for 6 consecutive hours. Notifications are sent when drivers have 2 hours, 1 hour, and 30 minutes remaining.