How Much Does Postmates Pay? Postmates Delivery 101

Looking for ways to make money on your own time? With delivery service apps like Postmates, you can do just that. 

With the option to make money part-time or work full-time hours, you can choose your schedule and can make cash quickly. 

We’ve put together a guide to help you learn how you can start making money with Postmates. This guide will cover how Postmates works, how much does Postmates pay, and how to start making money with Postmates. 

How does postmates work?

Postmates gives people the ability to order anything from anywhere in their city. You can order meals, snacks, headphones, and even a new shirt. The options are seemingly endless! 

Orders are placed using a smartphone or a computer. From there, the order is given to a Postmates driver who picks up the item, drives to the customer’s location, and delivers the item to their doorstep. 

Postmates lets customers track orders and get real-time updates on their delivery status. Postmates charges a minimum delivery fee based on the distance it takes for the driver to pick up the item and drop it off.

Postmates driver requirements

• At least 18 years or older.

• Access to reliable transportation.

• Car insurance if driving with a motor vehicle

• Ability to pass a background check

• An iPhone or Android smartphone

• Work eligibility in the United States

How to apply for Postmates fleet

Step 1: 

Download the Fleet app on your phone or apply directly on the Postmates website.

Step 2:

Create an account with Postmates.

Step 3:

Fill out a basic questionnaire. It will ask you to answer questions about yourself, your knowledge of the city you plan to drive in, and information regarding your driving history. You will also need to supply Postmates with your driver’s license number so having your ID with you will make the application process easier.

Step 4:

Authorize Postmates to run a background check. Once you pass the required background check, you can move on to step 5. 

Step 5-:

Review the Fleet agreement before agreeing to the terms and conditions.

Step 6:

Upload a profile picture. This is a necessary step because having a profile picture makes you identifiable when picking up passengers.

Step 7: 

Now it’s time to input your bank account information so that Postmates can pay you via direct deposit. Postmates will prompt you to enter your checking account information to set up direct deposits.  

Step 8: 

Activate your Postmates card in your app or at fleet.postmates.com/card upon receiving your welcome kit.

*Note: Not all markets require a Postmates card. In that case, your welcome kit will be sent after completing your first delivery.

How to deliver Food with Postmates

• Download the Postmates Fleet app on your mobile device.

• Sign in to your Postmates Fleet app.

• Once online, view the delivery that Postmates sends you.

• Accept the new delivery.

• Tap the Navigate button to receive directions and the best route to the pick-up location.

• Pick up your order at the location provided.

• Tap the arrow to the right of the buyer’s name to view order details.d

• Double-check that all the items in the order are accounted for, take a photo of the receipt and then tap Complete Order.

• Use the GPS in the Fleet app to get directions to your customer’s location.

• Upon arrival, follow the drop-off instructions and adhere to all safety protocols.

• Once you complete the order, finalize the delivery in the app.

How much can you make with Postmates?

The amount of money that drivers make per order will vary depending on two main details: the size of the tip and the delivery fee amount. As a Postmates driver, you’ll receive a base pay that covers the pick-up, the drop-off, the time spent traveling, and the miles driven. 

On average, you can make between $14 and $20 per hour. Here’s a more specific breakdown of what to expect for Postmates pay!

Postmates pay per pick up

You’ll earn $1.55 base pay every time you pick up an order from a store or restaurant. 

Postmates pay per drop off

For every drop-off that you complete, you’ll earn $0.77.

Postmates pay per minute

Drivers make $0.07 per minute spent waiting at a store or restaurant. 

Postmates pay per mile

You’ll make $0.43 per mile traveled between the pick-up location and the drop-off location.

Postmates Fleet tips

The largest payout of Postmates comes from tips. Customers are encouraged to leave a tip. The app offers them the option to leave a tip ranging from 5% to 20% of the order total. You also get to keep 80% of the delivery fee on every order. 

When does postmates pay drivers?

You can expect to receive your Postmates wages every Monday, but you can also take your money out whenever you want with an instant deposit. Getting paid weekly is free, but if you opt into the option of instant deposits, you’ll be charged $0.50 per deposit. There’s no limit to how many times you can make an instant deposit, but there is a fifty-cent fee associated with each withdrawal. 

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The best time to deliver with Postmates

As a Postmates driver, it’s wise to deliver during peak hours. More deliveries means more opportunity for you, and opportunities result in cash. 

To fulfill more orders during the day, open your Postmates app to view hot spots in your area. Hot spots refer to neighborhoods where you have the best chance of receiving a greater number of delivery requests. 

When you check the app, keep an eye out for the dark red areas on the map. They’re the busiest.

Go online during peak hours to get more delivery requests. Peak hours include a lunch and dinner rush. Hit the lunch rush every day from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm. Customers usually start ordering early for lunchtime arrival. The dinner peak hours are between 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. 

Be a weekend warrior! Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are the days with the greatest number of opportunities. It’s also smart to stack deliveries whenever possible. 

Sometimes, this means you’ll have to wait for orders to be ready, but you get paid for the time you spend waiting so it’s worth it. Make sure you accept orders that are nearby while you wait, too! 

By doing so, you’ll reduce the amount of time you spend sitting still. It’s all about making the most of your time. 

That being said, don’t accept more orders than you can handle. Postmates tells their customers that deliveries will be made within a certain timeframe, so it’s important that you  deliver the items to your customers in a timely manner. 

Another way to increase your income from Postmates is by making bonus pay on deliveries. To successfully meet the expectations for a bonus, you must accept certain orders within the specified timeframe and complete the orders in a certain area specified zone. 

You are guaranteed a minimum payout by completing a certain number of deliveries within a set period of time, too!

• Last but not least, invite your friends and family members to be a Postmates driver. If they decide to sign up and start delivering with Postmates, then you will earn a set amount of money for referring people.

Making money with Postmates

Driving for a delivery app like Postmates is a great way to earn extra income. With minimal requirements and serious flexibility, you get to make money on your schedule. 

Choose between delivering for Postmates either full-time or part-time, and get ready to start bringing in cash. With these Postmates tips and tricks, you’re well on your way to better opportunities and a beneficial income stream, both of which will help you work towards your financial goals.