Quarterly Market Pulse - Gig Economy Insights: Rideshare & Food Delivery Earnings Trends from Q1 2025

The first quarter of 2025 brought a shift from the holiday hustle into the slower winter months and the gig economy responded in compelling ways that influenced both rideshare and food delivery earnings across the United States.

Our team of analysts closely examined how seasonal slowdowns, regional weather patterns, and shifting consumer behaviors affected earnings trends during Q1, revealing key insights into how gig drivers adapted in the post-holiday landscape.

The Solo Market Pulse offers a data-driven snapshot of the gig economy, empowering drivers with the insights they need to make smarter decisions and maximize their income.

In this blog post, we break down quarterly performance for food delivery and rideshare earnings across the country, including average hourly earnings, state-by-state comparisons, and quarter-over-quarter trends.

Whether you're curious about which states saw the biggest earnings gains, how your region compares, or how stable your market has been over time, this report is designed to help you navigate the ever-changing world of gig work!

The Solo Market Pulse Report continues to bridge the gap between drivers and the information they need to run their gig work businesses with confidence and clarity.

Check out the numbers for the first quarter of 2025 in Solo’s Market Pulse Report to see how gig economy earnings for rideshare and food delivery have changed quarter-over-quarter!

To get more localized insights for your city or state on a regular basis, download the Solo app today! Our data insights are unparalleled and can help you make highly informed decisions about when and how to work.

Rideshare Trends and Earnings in the Gig Economy in the First Quarter of 2025

The first quarter of 2025 saw a slight dip in nationwide rideshare earnings compared to the end of 2024. After analyzing data from January through April, our team found that the average hourly earnings for rideshare drivers dropped by approximately 0.66%, falling from $20.64 in Q4 2024 to $20.50 in Q1 2025. This figure is based on all reported rideshare earnings nationwide from the Solo app, giving us a comprehensive view of driver performance across the U.S.

While this decrease is relatively modest, it aligns with seasonal expectations. Post-holiday lulls, winter weather conditions, and shifts in rider demand likely contributed to the cooling in earnings early in the year. Despite the dip, many markets remained stable, and driver earnings stayed above the $20/hour threshold on average.

Keep reading to see which states saw the biggest jumps—or declines—in rideshare pay this quarter!

Rideshare earnings insights (top 3 highest earning cities) from the first quarter of 2025

Washington ($31.38/hour), Minnesota ($24.72/hour), and Massachusetts ($24.14/hour) were the states with the highest average hourly earnings for rideshare drivers during the first quarter of 2025.

These states consistently offer strong earning potential, likely due to high urban demand, specific rideshare regulations (or lack thereof), and strong tipping culture.

Each quarter, our team of analysts reviews how rideshare earnings are shifting across the country to uncover key trends in the gig economy. By analyzing data from platforms like Uber and Lyft, we aim to equip rideshare drivers with the information they need to better navigate changes in earning potential across states and seasons.

From the last quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025, nationwide rideshare earnings experienced a slight decrease of approximately 0.66%, with the average hourly rate dipping from $20.64 to $20.50.

While this change isn’t too stark, it reflects a broader seasonal pattern—earnings typically soften after the busy holiday season, particularly during the colder winter months. Many states maintained relatively stable earnings during this time, indicating consistent demand and driver engagement in key markets.

However, some states did experience more notable shifts in average hourly pay, reinforcing the importance of tracking localized changes. Our analysts observed that weather disruptions, changes in commuter behavior, and market saturation may all contribute to quarterly earnings fluctuations.

For gig workers who rely on rideshare as a core income source, understanding these regional and seasonal dynamics is essential for making informed decisions about when and where to drive.

Quarter-Over-Quarter Increases in Rideshare Earnings

Rhode Island saw the largest increase in rideshare earnings this quarter, with a +12.58% jump, rising from $18.09 in Q4 2024 to $20.36 per hour in Q1 2025.
Kansas followed with a +8.49% increase, with average earnings climbing from $19.41 to $21.06 per hour.
West Virginia also experienced strong gains, increasing +7.77% from $18.31 to $19.73 per hour.
Minnesota saw earnings rise by +7.46%, moving from $23.00 to $24.72 per hour.
Arizona rounded out the top five with a +6.90% increase in average hourly rideshare pay, up from $19.38 to $20.72.

Quarter-Over-Quarter Decreases in Rideshare Earnings

Vermont experienced the largest drop in rideshare earnings this quarter, with a −11.48% decrease, falling from $23.05 in Q4 2024 to $20.40 per hour in Q1 2025.
Alaska followed closely with an −11.35% decline, dropping from $26.45 to $23.45 per hour.
Connecticut saw earnings fall by −9.47%, decreasing from $19.98 to $18.09 per hour.
New Hampshire experienced a −9.28% decrease, with average pay declining from $22.58 to $20.49 per hour.
New York rounded out the top five with a −7.82% drop, going from $22.94 to $21.15 per hour.

Food Delivery Trends and Earnings in the Gig Economy in the First Quarter of 2025

Nationwide food delivery earnings experienced a slight decline in the first quarter of 2025. After analyzing data from every state across January through April, our team found that the national average hourly earnings for food delivery dropped by approximately 1.11%, falling from an average of $15.41 during the final quarter of 2024 to $15.24 in the first quarter of 2025.

Check out some of the additional earnings insights our team found from the first quarter of the 2025 year below.

Food Delivery earnings insights (top 3 highest earning cities) from the first quarter of 2025

Alaska ($17.75 quarterly average earnings per hour), Montana ($17.27 quarterly average earnings per hour), and Nevada ($17.24 quarterly average earnings per hour) were the states with the highest average hourly earnings in food delivery during Q1 2025.

Minnesota ($17.05 quarterly average earnings per hour) and North Dakota ($16.93 quarterly average earnings per hour) also ranked among the top five for the quarter. These figures reflect strong regional performance across parts of the West and Upper Midwest, where factors like order volume, tipping behavior, and delivery distances may be contributing to higher pay for gig workers.

Many states showed relatively stable food delivery earnings quarter-over-quarter, with minimal fluctuations from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025.

For example, states like Texas, Georgia, and Kansas experienced less than a 1% change in average hourly earnings between the two quarters. This consistency may indicate steady demand for food delivery, a stable driver supply, or balanced market conditions in those areas. As we move further into 2025, we’ll continue monitoring how these earnings trends evolve across different regions.

Quarter-Over-Quarter Increases in Food Delivery Earnings

West Virginia saw the most significant increase in food delivery earnings, with average hourly pay rising by +7.90% from $14.92 in Q4 2024 to $16.10 in Q1 2025.
Hawaii followed closely with a +7.70% increase, where earnings grew from $17.96 to $19.34 per hour.
Vermont also experienced strong growth, with a +6.84% jump in earnings, rising from $15.88 to $16.97 per hour.
Mississippi and North Dakota rounded out the top five, with earnings increasing by +5.64% and +5.49% respectively.

Quarter-Over-Quarter Decreases in Food Delivery Earnings

Alaska experienced the largest decrease in food delivery earnings this quarter, with a significant −17.68% drop from $21.56 in Q4 2024 to $17.75 in Q1 2025.
Rhode Island followed with a −13.71% decline, as average earnings fell from $17.18 to $14.83 per hour.
Nevada also saw a notable decrease of −8.18%, dropping from $14.77 to $13.57 per hour.
Oregon's average earnings decreased by −7.68%, while Colorado rounded out the top five with a −5.89% drop.

Maximize your food delivery earnings this holiday season with the Solo app! Get real-time insights, plan your shifts around peak demand, and take your income to the next level.

Final Thoughts - Q1 2025 Gig Economy Market Pulse

The first quarter of 2025 offered a valuable look at how the gig economy adjusts after the peak holiday season. While food delivery and rideshare earnings remained relatively stable on a national scale, subtle shifts across regions highlighted the ongoing influence of weather, consumer behavior, and local market dynamics. In some states, drivers saw notable increases in average hourly pay, while others experienced seasonal slowdowns that resulted in decreased earnings.

These quarter-over-quarter trends emphasize just how much regional conditions and seasonal timing can affect gig work opportunities. Whether it’s a temporary decline due to winter weather or a surge in demand in a specific metro, understanding these patterns helps gig workers plan smarter—choosing when, where, and how to drive or deliver to maximize their earnings.

The Solo Market Pulse continues to serve as a vital resource for drivers across the country, delivering timely, data-backed insights to support informed decision-making and long-term success in the gig economy. As the year progresses, we’ll keep tracking these fluctuations to help gig workers stay ahead of the curve.

How Solo’s Market Pulse Report Helps Gig Workers

With this blog series, Solo aims to empower drivers to thrive in the gig economy by providing access to the most current and accurate information.

By staying informed about seasonal fluctuations and leveraging resources like Solo's earnings trend map, gig workers can maximize their income and achieve financial stability.

Check back soon for another release of Solo’s Market Pulse! In the meantime, you can read other blog posts here.