Driver incomes for Uber and Lyft are dependent on location and the types of rides completed. Each company offers multiple tiers of rides ranging from standard four-seat to luxury six-seat vehicles that charge different rates. Riders are also charged higher rates for surge periods and pay larger fares for long-distance trips. There have been recent studies of Uber and Lyft driver pay that paint a clearer picture of potential incomes.
The Street found that the median pay for Lyft and Uber drivers is $155 per month. The average income for a full-time ride-hailing driver was $36,525 in 2018. Uber drivers earned $15.97 per ride and Lyft drivers earned $11.48 per ride. _The Street _concluded that pay per hour after expenses for both companies ranged from $8.55 to $11.77.
The College Investor _provide a slightly more optimistic view for Lyft drivers. The publication found that Lyft drivers averaged $17.50 per hour, exceeding the estimate provided by _The Street.
Conflicting reports of driver pay for Uber and Lyft are due in part to regional variations. Drivers in smaller communities may not have as much demand as big-city drivers. Uber and Lyft have different levels of popularity from city to city. The differing income ranges are also caused by drivers who take advantage of bonuses and surge-priced rides.