Are Uber Drivers Functionally UNEMPLOYED?

Описание: *Are Uber and Lyft drivers working for nothing?* With declining Uber driver pay, rising vehicle expenses, unpaid driving miles, and unpredictable rideshare earnings, many gig workers are questioning whether driving for Uber or Lyft is still profitable in 2026.

In this video, we examine the **real cost of driving for Uber and Lyft**, why some rideshare drivers may be functionally unemployed despite working full-time, and how unpaid hours and vehicle expenses can consume a driver's earnings.

Research discussed by Columbia Business School's Len Sherman highlights major differences in Uber driver compensation across markets. In Orlando, reported median compensation was just **$0.72 per mile**, raising serious questions about driver profitability when compared with the 2026 IRS standard business mileage deduction of $0.76 per mile.

But here's the bigger problem: *Uber and Lyft drivers don't get paid for every mile they drive or every hour they work.*

Drivers spend significant time waiting for ride requests, traveling between busy areas, and driving without passengers. Meanwhile, fuel, insurance, vehicle depreciation, tires, brakes, and maintenance continue to eat away at their earnings.

*In this video, we discuss:*

Why Uber and Lyft drivers may be functionally unemployed
The truth about Uber driver pay in 2026
Why $0.72 per mile raises concerns about profitability
How unpaid miles and deadhead driving reduce earnings
The difference between gross earnings and actual profit
What the IRS standard mileage deduction tells us about vehicle expenses
Why driving for Uber and Lyft can be an easy way to make a difficult living
Whether rideshare driving is still worth it in 2026

The IRS mileage rate is a standardized tax deduction, not every driver's exact operating cost. But it highlights an important issue: *Gross earnings are not the same as take-home profit.*

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and other gig economy platforms offer flexibility and relatively easy entry into gig work. But flexibility means very little if workers cannot earn enough to cover their expenses and make a sustainable living.

*The question is simple: Are gig workers truly earning a living, or are they just exchanging the value of their vehicles for short-term cash?*

💬 *JOIN THE CONVERSATION*

Are you still making a profit driving for Uber or Lyft? How much do you actually earn per mile after accounting for ALL your expenses?

Leave a comment below. I want to hear what drivers are experiencing in different markets across the country.

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*SOURCES & RESEARCH*

Business Insider — Reporting on Len Sherman's analysis of Uber driver compensation.

IRS — Standard Mileage Rates: https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals...

https://www.businessinsider.com/uber-...

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