Gig Driver Net Earnings Calculator (Connecticut, 2026)

For Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, Amazon Flex and Grubhub drivers. Enter one week of driving to see what you really keep per hour after gas, wear, depreciation, any rental and self-employment tax.

Your week of driving
Everything the apps paid you: fares, delivery pay, tips and bonuses, before any fees you pay.
Include waiting time between trips, not just time with a rider or order.
All miles while working, including driving to pickups and between trips. Check your odometer or mileage app.
Your car
Only used if you rent. Check the app's rental listing for Connecticut prices.
Your estimate for oil, tires, brakes and repairs, divided by miles. Your records or the kit's car cost sheet help. Ignored for rentals.
(Value today − value later) ÷ miles in between. Example: $20,000 → $8,000 over 100,000 miles = $0.12. Ignored for rentals.
A rideshare or delivery endorsement, divided by weeks. Rentals usually include insurance.
Other costs and taxes
Sets the IRS standard mileage rate used for your tax estimate.
Federal plus Connecticut income tax depends on your whole household. Our self-employment tax calculator gives a closer figure.
Thinking about renting? (optional)
We'll show how many miles a week make renting cheaper than wearing out your own car.

Estimates for education only, not tax, legal, insurance, or investment advice. The example numbers are placeholders; enter your own.

How the calculator works

  • Cash costs are what leaves your wallet: gas (miles ÷ mpg × price), maintenance and repairs, rental, extra insurance, phone share, tolls and other costs.
  • Depreciation is the value your car loses with each mile. You don't pay it every week, but you pay it when you sell or trade in the car, so it counts as a real cost.
  • Tax deduction: with your own car we use the IRS standard mileage rate (72.5¢ a mile for January to June 2026, 76¢ from July 1) plus tolls, parking, your phone share and other costs. With a rental we use actual costs: rent, gas, insurance, tolls, phone and other costs.
  • Self-employment tax is 15.3% of 92.35% of your profit. It assumes your total 2026 earnings stay under the $184,500 Social Security wage base, and it ignores the $400 yearly minimum.
  • Income tax set-aside is the percentage you choose, applied to profit after half of self-employment tax.
  • Rental break-even trips = weekly rental ÷ your average pay per trip after gas.
  • Rent vs. own miles = (rental quote − your extra insurance) ÷ (maintenance + depreciation per mile). Above that many miles a week, the rental can cost less than the wear on your own car.

Tips to raise your real hourly pay

  • Cut dead miles: wait in busy zones and use destination filters to get paid on the way home.
  • Turn down offers that pay less per mile than your car cost per mile.
  • Check tire pressure weekly and follow your manual's severe-service schedule. Small habits lower cost per mile.
  • Move your tax set-aside into a separate account every payout so the April bill isn't a surprise.

More detail: gig driver guide, car costs and deductions, mileage deduction calculator, CT self-employment tax calculator and quarterly tax calculator.

Gig Driver Kit 2026, CT Edition ($19): a full guide to each app, plus an Excel mileage and expense log, a weekly earnings tracker, a rent-vs-own break-even calculator, a maintenance schedule and a printable checklist.

Get the Gig Driver Kit

Frequently asked questions

How much do Uber and DoorDash drivers really make per hour?

It depends on your town, hours and car. To find yours, subtract gas, maintenance, depreciation, any rental and taxes from your weekly gross pay and divide by hours online, including waiting time. That's what this calculator does.

What is the 2026 IRS mileage rate for gig drivers?

72.5 cents a mile for business miles driven January 1 through June 30, 2026, and 76 cents a mile from July 1 through December 31, 2026. Tolls and business parking are deductible on top.

How many trips do I need to cover a rental car?

Divide the weekly rental, including taxes and fees, by your average pay per trip after gas. For example, $310 ÷ $12 a trip is 26 trips before you earn anything for yourself.

How much should I set aside for taxes from gig driving?

At least enough for self-employment tax (about 14.1% of profit) plus federal and Connecticut income tax. Many drivers set aside 20–30% of profit, but your number depends on your household. Our quarterly tax calculator gives a closer estimate.

Sources (checked November 2026)

For general education only. Not tax, legal, insurance, or investment advice. App rules and pay change often, so check each app's official pages for current terms.

Want help with your gig income taxes or setting up your books?

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Enhance Finance is a small-business finance practice serving Connecticut.