So, there is a question: How much do pizza delivery drivers make in tips. Let’s get to the bottom of it. Maybe you are googling it for interest, or maybe you are looking for a job or part-time job. Anyway, we’re here to answer it for you.
We should warn you right away that there will not be a short one-size-fits-all answer here. Much depends on where you live and work, as well as how much effort and time you are willing to invest in your work.
Even if you were just curious about how much tip the current delivery guy gets or how much it would be appropriate to tip him, take the plunge into the profession. After all, there are no easy jobs.
But let’s talk about everything one by one.
How Good Is a Pizza Delivery Driver Job?
Each job has its own specific features, let’s look at the pros and cons of being a delivery driver.
Quick start
You don’t need a formal education or anything like that to get started as a delivery driver. The pizza chains themselves will provide the necessary corporate-style instruction. The minimum requirement is a valid driver’s license.
Flexible hours
Delivery drivers can plan their own work day. This allows you to decide whether it will be your main work or part-time. Working part-time, for example, only the evening shift, the delivery driver can continue his education in the morning.
Personal development
Working as a pizza delivery driver allows you to pursue personal development. Driving gives you the opportunity to listen to music, audio books, podcasts, or science lectures to further your education.
Obviously, you will learn how to navigate your location perfectly. Excellent local knowledge always comes in handy in life. At the very least, you’ll know exactly which blocks you shouldn’t go into alone at night.
Career building
Many people see the job of a delivery driver as lacking career progression. Although, delivery drivers develop planning skills, personal organization, and punctuality while on the job. These specific skills are a good foundation for a future career in any field. For example, knowing the job from the ground up can make you a great logistics manager.
Health effects
The driver’s work is a sedentary job, even though you are moving all the time. It’s a good thing to be able to get out of the car to warm up. It’s pretty good for your cardio and spine.
Another vulnerability of all drivers is vision. Bright sunlight or the glare at night causes rapid eye fatigue. Use polarized sunglasses and night glasses for your health.
Stresses
Heavy traffic, accidents, and traffic jams cause stress for all pizza delivery drivers. It’s hard to be calm when you have to rush to deliver a pizza hot.
Also, sometimes communicating with customers can be difficult. No one would want to be in the shoes of the Little Nero delivery driver from the movie Home Alone.
But no kidding, if mistakes in the order happen, the delivery driver has to listen to negative feedback from the customer. At the same time, pizza delivery driver must remain polite and do everything to make sense of the situation.
How Much Pizza Delivery Drivers Earn
As you’ve seen, it’s not all that easy. The driver must get decent money for their work. So, how much pizza delivery drivers earn?
What about the pay?
Among pizza stores and chains, there is no uniform agreement on how to pay a delivery driver. Some pizza places pay delivery drivers based on salary. Other pizza retailers prefer an hourly rate for the driver position. But in any case, the scheme works, the more you work, the more you get.
Of course, average salary of a pizza delivery driver may vary depending on the company for which he works. In the giant chains such as Pizza Hut or Domino’s have strict corporate rules. In smaller pizza shops, hourly wages can be discussed directly with the owner of the business.
The average salary will vary from city to city even within the same pizza chain. The trend is that the delivery service has a greater demand in large metropolitan areas, so there and the payment to the driver is higher.
The average income of pizza delivery drivers
Here are some facts from different sources from which you can get an idea of the average income of pizza delivery drivers.
- The average hourly wage for a pizza delivery driver at Pizza Hut across the U.S. is $16, with a range of $7.70 to $27.30.
- In the U.S. Domino’s offers pizza delivery driver jobs the hourly wage about $17, ranging from $7.25 to $33.30.
- U.S. data from Papa John’s Pizza shows an average hourly rate of $14, ranging from $7.25 to $33.10.
- Overall in the U.S., the average salary for pizza delivery jobs is $17 per hour, ranging from $11.57 to $25.74.
- In terms of the average annual salary of a pizza delivery driver, it is $30,600.
- Pizza Hut and Domino’s, the market leaders, provide the largest average annual salary. An experienced pizza delivery driver earns up to $41,000.
- Here is the average pizza delivery driver salary by state, let’s quote the top 10:
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
| Hawaii | $31,639 | $2,636 | $608 | $15.21 |
| Massachusetts | $31,291 | $2,607 | $601 | $15.04 |
| Nevada | $31,248 | $2,604 | $600 | $15.02 |
| Connecticut | $31,099 | $2,591 | $598 | $14.95 |
| Rhode Island | $30,295 | $2,524 | $582 | $14.56 |
| Oregon | $30,074 | $2,506 | $578 | $14.46 |
| Alaska | $29,879 | $2,489 | $574 | $14.37 |
| Washington | $29,769 | $2,480 | $572 | $14.31 |
| North Dakota | $29,466 | $2,455 | $566 | $14.17 |
| New York | $29,360 | $2,446 | $564 | $14.12 |
Texas ranks 43rd, but be especially careful in Houston. Judging by this video, it looks like local pizza delivery drivers will soon have to be left behind:
As you can see, the average rate varies from company to company. Competing with each other, large chains such as Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, Papa John’s, Marco’s Pizza, Little Caesars, etc. are willing to pay more money for fast delivery and quality customer service.
Within the same company, the salary of a pizza delivery driver depends on location. Earnings are higher in large cities than in the countryside. Among local brands, most pizza shops are willing to pay less, but the work there is less intense.
What is the situation with tipping?
Tipping is the extra money pizza delivery drivers make on top of their paychecks. The amount can be up to $50 per day. Again, the major role is played by the company you work for and the area where you live.
Secondly, tips depends on the amount of the order, on the delivery area and time of the order, on customer satisfaction and their mood.
It is customary to leave a tip as about 10-15% of the order amount. This is of course not a set rule, and tipping is always left at the customer’s discretion. Sometimes the tips depend on whether the client has cash or a credit card. In general it works that the more the order, the more the tips may be.
As for location, the likelihood of getting good tips is higher in the area of expensive real estate. Pizza places give profitable shifts in favorable locations to the most experienced pizza delivery drivers. The most profitable time is evening shift on weekends and morning shift at lunchtime on weekdays.
Sometimes a pizza company welcomes it if delivery drivers share tips with other restaurant employees, such as chefs. But that’s a sensitive issue for every pizza shop.
Do you remember this episode with the tip? Sorry, I can’t resist posting Home Alone again:
What pizza delivery drivers can do to get tips more often
Obviously, cold pizza and tips are not compatible. Also, the driver has to make it in the time allotted by pizza store rules. Besides the mandatory requirements, there is something a driver can do for the customer’s benefit and earn thanks with tips.
First of all, check the completeness of the order. Perhaps customers asked for extra sauces, napkins or drinks. Yes, if the order wasn’t properly completed, it won’t be the driver’s fault. But if the driver corrected the mistake, it will be their merit.
Always inform customers yourself how their order is progressing. Type a short text message just to stay in touch with the client. It’s not just about taking care of the customers, it’s also a check for your schedule.
It’s good if you have extra devices in the car to keep the pizzas hot. It’s usually up to the company to give all the equipment, but the extra heating is good for you. Sometimes when I take pizza out myself, I use the car seat heating.
I wonder if the customer asks the delivery driver to check whether the pizza cut was clean, is the pizza delivery driver entitled to see it? Is it allowed by the sanitary rules? And if the kitchen is open to view through the glass? If you have any thoughts on this, please share in the comments!
How to Get the Position of Pizza Delivery Driver
Pizza delivery is the first job for many, so pizza companies have experience in how to teach and help drivers get started. All major pizza chains have a section on their website for job seekers. Study all the offers in your area and choose what is more convenient for you.
Initial training usually includes corporate standards and skills for communicating with customers. Many pizza delivery drivers start work at minimum wage the day after they are hired. But thanks to tips, drivers have additional income, sometimes even more than their daily wage.
What are the employer requirements
The most important condition to deliver pizzas by car is to have a driver’s license. It is desirable to have sufficient experience in driving, agree, a novice is unlikely to trust the delivery vehicle. At a start, most likely you will have to drive your own car.
Delivering pizzas is primarily a customer service, so be open and friendly. Even if you are new and make the occasional slip, a sincere smile will help you earn your first money.
What benefits delivery drivers get
When applying for a pizza delivery driver positions, know what benefits you will have. Be warned right away that your bonuses will depend on the employer’s company. Let’s list some common benefits for pizza delivery driver jobs.
Many pizza delivery drivers have their own vehicle, in which case pizza companies may offer you mileage reimbursement and service assistance. To get a company vehicle, delivery drivers must have a long driving record of accident-free driving.
Most companies arrange car insurance for pizza delivery drivers. Some go further and add life and health insurance. Also, many employers take part in retirement support. All of these measures are designed to retain qualified pizza delivery drivers.
FAQ
How much tip do you give pizza delivery?
I usually leave about 10% of my order or a couple of dollars if I have cash. The main thing is that the pizza was hot and waiting for delivery was not too exhausting.
Do you tip a pizza delivery person?
Yes, I leave tips when possible, at least a couple of dollars. It’s not big bucks, of course, but it’s a nice thank-you for the kid at the block restaurant. I especially appreciate it when the delivery sends a message when my order arrives.
How much do local pizza delivery drivers make?
On average, pizza delivery drivers make about $17 an hour. It is estimated that a delivery man can make about $85 for a full shift, plus tips around $50 for a good night.
Who pays the most for pizza delivery?
The biggest paychecks are at the big pizza chains like Pizza Hut or Papa John’s pizza. It’s not easy for a small pizza place to compete with the giants, but they say the work there is less stressful.
Final Words
Pizza delivery drivers are an important element of the food industry. We’ve had the opportunity to see this during the covid pandemic. Drivers help us to obtain our coveted pizzas when we can’t bake it ourselves and go to the place outdoors. So let them get the money they deserve.
Share in the comments how much you tip. Or maybe you have experience as a delivery driver? I’d be very interested to read about your experience.
