A detailed schedule of income, expenses, and net profit earned by delivery partners working on platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto, Flipkart Minutes, and Blinkit over an eight-hour shift was presented. This comes against the backdrop of the common belief that courier work is simple and yields huge incomes.
However, if the situation is viewed more realistically, one can complete an average of 12 to 16 orders in an eight-hour shift, which equates to approximately 1.5–2 orders per hour. The number of orders depends on multiple factors, including order availability and distance to them.
Assuming an average order value of ₹30 to ₹50, the total potential income can increase through platform bonuses, peak-hour bonuses, and tips. However, after deducting expenses for gasoline, motorcycle maintenance, and mobile communication, the net profit remains.
According to calculations based on data provided by the platforms, 14 orders at ₹40 can bring in approximately ₹560 in revenue. To this, daily or peak-hour bonuses of ₹100 to ₹150, as well as tips of ₹20 to ₹40, can be added. Thus, the total daily revenue is estimated at ₹650–₹800, and the monthly income is approximately between ₹18,200 and ₹24,000.
Some partners shared their experiences in videos. For example, one video showed an instance with Zepto where, after working for 8 hours, completing orders during peak slots and combining two orders into one, an income of about ₹615 was achieved. A Zomato partner reported earning ₹524 in a day after working about 4 hours and 50 minutes and completing 12 orders, corresponding to a weekly income of about ₹9,264.
On other platforms, such as Flipkart Minutes, earnings range from ₹23 to ₹40 per order. If a person works for 12 hours and completes 21 orders, they can earn up to ₹960, of which about ₹200 goes towards gasoline.
It is important to consider not only the income but also the expenses. With a travel distance of about 60–80 km in 8 hours, fuel consumption of 45–50 km per liter, and gasoline prices of ₹95–₹100 per liter, daily fuel costs amount to approximately ₹150–₹200. Motorcycle maintenance costs, such as oil changes, tire replacements, and technical servicing, are estimated at ₹30–₹40 daily. Daily expenditures on mobile internet and charging amount to ₹10. Thus, total daily expenses reach ₹190–₹250.
Consequently, the net daily income can be ₹700–₹800, and the monthly income—from ₹18,200 to ₹20,800. Using electric scooters or rented electric vehicles can significantly reduce fuel costs and increase net income. In major cities like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore, as well as on weekends, income can increase by 15–20% due to increased orders and bonuses. It should be noted that all these calculations are approximate and based on online reviews and an 8-hour shift; actual income may vary depending on the city, situation, and rules.