This is probably the question I get asked most often in delivery driver chat groups: "I heard that delivery drivers can make 60,000 to 80,000 a month. Is that true?" To be honest, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.

Let me start with the conclusion

It is possible to earn that much, but it’s not the kind of “easy money” you might think. An income of 60,000 to 80,000 yuan a month usually comes from working as a full-time delivery driver and putting in long hours while maintaining high efficiency.

Actual data

Among the full-time food delivery drivers I know, they can generally be divided into three categories:

• General Level:40,000–50,000 per month (working about 40 hours per week)
• Effort Level:50,000–60,000 per month (working 50–60 hours per week, and being online almost all the time during peak hours)
• Legendary:60,000–80,000 per month (sacrificing almost all free time, plus bonuses)

Key Points to Note

• The above figures represent income "before expenses"
• When you add up the cost of gas, maintenance, insurance, and accident insurance, it comes to about 3,000–5,000 yuan a month.
• Physical wear and tear is an invisible cost

My suggestion

Don’t just look at the numbers on the surface. The greatest value of a food delivery job isn’t the amount of money you make, but the flexibility it offers. If you’re in it to “make easy money,” you’re likely to be disappointed. But if you’re in it for “time freedom,” this job could be a good choice.