Uber Driver and Courier Partners in Florida Earned more than $870 Million in 2017

Riders, drivers and couriers who use Uber are having a substantial impact on Florida’s economy. From driver earnings, to community spending, to increased mobility options, a newly released study by the Economic Development Research Group* (EDR Group) takes a closer look at Uber’s economic impact in Florida (the rideshare business alone). We’re also excited to share that in Florida, the take-home amount in gross revenue for all of Uber’s partners in 2017 was more than $870 million.

Unique insights and big numbers stand out in EDR Group’s study on Uber’s economic impact:

  • Uber’s ridesharing platform supports $1 billion dollars of gross domestic product in Florida.
  • The net impact of Uber on the Florida economy is $69 million.
  • Altogether, 10% of Uber trips in Florida are for business travel.
  • Overall, 14.5% of Uber trips in Florida are taken by international visitors, and 27.3% of visitors report spending more during their trip because Uber enabled them to visit additional locations.
  • Another 17% of Uber trips in Florida were reported to allow riders to visit destinations they could not access without Uber.
  • The importance of schedule flexibility is significant and the most commonly reported amenity benefit for drivers: 76% cite the importance of schedule flexibility that the Uber app offers.
  • Overall, 87% of Florida drivers also earn income from other sources.

One of the aspects we found most compelling about EDR Group’s study is how it takes a separate look at Uber’s economic impact on people who use Uber, for both riders and drivers.

Our products, partners, and technology help enrich the lives of people in ways that aren’t always tangible. For example, how would you measure the relief someone feels when they are able to catch a ride when pressed for time? Or an increased sense of personal safety knowing you can share your location with others during a late-night ride home? EDR Group’s surveys focused on how people use Uber and what they would have done if Uber or a similar platform were not available. In other words, all impacts were measured against a realistic baseline so as to capture Uber’s added value.

EDR Group’s study shows that most of Uber’s driver partners report earning considerably more money than they were earning before they started driving. However, some drivers reported they are choosing to partner with Uber over a higher-paying earning opportunity because of the benefits of driving with Uber, such as flexibility and independence.

The different kinds of amenity (non-dollar) benefits to drivers highlight a variety of reasons why people choose to drive. Maybe you’re busy taking care of children or a relative and you need work to fit your schedule. Or maybe you are retired, but enjoy driving a few hours every week to interact with people in your community.

It turns out that the majority of US drivers (nine out of ten) say they use Uber to complement other sources of income. At the same time, the availability of this kind of opportunity is a game changer for some people, as nearly a quarter of Uber driver partners were unemployed before they started driving with Uber.

Overall, EDR Group’s study found that well beyond contributing to our country’s overall economy, Uber is adding substantial (and measurable) value to people’s lives. As you can see from the data, this report demonstrates that Uber has a net positive contribution to the national economy and at local levels. It is also clear from the study that Uber is part of a dynamic ecosystem: Uber riders rely on many interconnected options. At the same time, every time drivers choose Uber by logging in to the app, they are doing so in the context of their lifestyle priorities.

Link to Florida Uber Report

* The Economic Development Research Group (EDR Group) conducted this study from mid-2016 to mid-2017. They ran detailed surveys on riders and drivers to understand what they would have done if Uber were not available and also used limited trip and administrative data.