Can You Really Make a Living Driving for UberWhat You Need to Know - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

Can You Really Make a Living Driving for Uberâ€"What You Need to Know There’s no doubt that you can make real money with Uber. From sign up bonuses to driver guarantees and surge prices, there are plenty of opportunities to make extra money on top of the fare that you receive driving people to and from their destinations. Driving for Uber is tempting, not only because you can make money, but because it allows you to be your own boss. Some people like it so much that they want to make a career out of it. The question is, can you? The short answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to know. How Much Do Full-Time Uber Drivers Make? The average income for a full-time Uber driver is pretty impressive. In 2014, it was $90,766 a year in New York and $74,191 in San Francisco. There’s no doubt that plenty of people are making some serious cash driving around in their cars full-time. Keep in mind that these are averages in a few of the largest and busiest cities in the country. Places where Uber is popular. If you live in a small rural town, or even a city that isn’t very enamored with Uber, chances are, your income will be a lot less. Costs That Are Associated With Driving for Uber With statistics like that, many people are tempted to get into Uber driving full-time. But, not only do you have to think about the potential for earnings in your particular area, you also have to consider the costs that are associated with driving. They include: Gas Car insurance Parking fees Maintenance and repairs Purchase or lease price of the vehicle That’s why cabs are still around. Although you have to be licensed, you don’t have to worry about all those additional costs. The pay you take home is the pay you take home. You never have to worry about a surprise repair on your vehicle. Cost isn’t just moneyâ€"it’s also time. You have to remember that you’re essentially an independent contractor, or a freelancer. If you can’t drive your vehicle, you won’t make any money, which means you may find yourself driving more than you’d like. Ways to Boost Your Income While Driving If you really want to make a living driving for Uber, it’s important for you to think about other ways to boost your income while driving. A few ideas include: Driving up surge fairs by logging out of the app right before a surge is expected, like before bar close. Dont drive around endlessly; stick to a central area instead. Use the Uber Passenger App to find more people who need a lift. Consider selling something in your car, like drinks or snacks. Just like any career, you aren’t going to get rich without putting in plenty of hard work. Working for Uber full-time is a possibility. You just have to go into it with the right expectations and strategies to boost your chances of success. This is a guest blog post by Susan Melony,  an is an accomplished marketing consultant and writer.