Uber's insurance and operational fees can vary widely on similar trips

Tech Insider : Economy, Business
A black-and-white Uber banner hangs over the columns at the New York Stock Exchange building.
Uber charges fees for insurance and "operational costs" on every trip.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

I live in a van full-time without a remote job. There are challenges, but I've found sustainable ways to fund my lifestyle.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Environment
The writer sitting on the roof of their van, with a blue sky in the background.
I've been living in a van and doing gig work for about two years now.

Koi Reid

Delivery drivers say more customers are asking: Did you actually get my tip?

Tech Insider : Economy, Business
A pedestrian walks on a sidewalk while carrying a red DoorDash-branded insulated bag.
DoorDash and Walmart Spark delivery workers are talking to customers about their tips.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Walmart is starting to deliver restaurant meals with your grocery order

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Customers walk in the parking lot of a Walmart store with plants on shelves outside of the main entrance.
Walmart has started asking some Spark delivery workers to deliver customers' restaurant orders.

Scott Olson/Getty Images

I made $50,000 as a deaf Uber driver last year. I earn more than I did working in restaurants.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Technology
Uber driver William Parr stands in front of his minivan in a parking lot wearing a grey baseball cap, sunglasses, black pants and a shirt, and a reflective vest.
William Parr started driving for Uber last April.

William Parr

I drive for a ride-hailing cooperative for extra cash instead of Uber or Lyft

Tech Insider : Economy, Business
Daniel Mondragon
Daniel Mondragon drives for a ride-hailing cooperative in Colorado.

Matthew DeFeo for BI

We asked 12 gig workers how much they made in 2025. The answers varied wildly.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
Daniel Mondragon

Matthew DeFeo for BI

Gig workers and the companies that pay them often talk about earnings in hourly terms.

That doesn't tell the full story, though.

Voracious demand for robotics training data is transforming gig work

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Environment
An Instawork Pro recording his activities
An Instawork Pro recording his activities

Instawork

Mamdani is cracking down on food delivery app junk fees in NYC

Tech Insider : Economy, Business
Zohran Mamdani
Affordable housing has become a central part of NYC Zohran Mamdani's agenda.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

DoorDash CEO Tony Xu says he likes getting 2,000-word emails from delivery workers. It helps him fix their issues.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
DoorDash CEO Tony Xu stands and gestures on a stage while wearing glasses with black rims and a light-grey t-shirt
DoorDash CEO Tony Xu says he likes long emails from customers and delivery workers.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Subscribe to gig-workers