Delivery App Jobs For Felons (2024 Guide)

Delivery app jobs allow you to earn good money on your own terms, making them one of the most sought-after side hustles in the gig economy. Getting a job with one of the popular food delivery apps is one of the easiest ways for a felon to secure work, even if only for part time.

More and more people are choosing to “order in” over “eating out” for their meals and to satisfy their cravings. This shouldn’t be surprising considering the convenience, efficiency, and sheer variety the first option offers.

Fueled by increasing demand, new delivery apps are constantly popping up. Sure, this is excellent news for customers who love having choices. But it’s also amazing for anyone looking to make some money on the side.

However, not all delivery app jobs are created equal. To help you make an informed choice, we’ve compiled a list of the top 7 food delivery apps highly regarded by drivers and customers.

Top Delivery App Jobs For Felons

1. Uber Eats

Launched as an offshoot of the popular ridesharing app in 2014, Uber Eats has quickly gained popularity among customers looking to get food delivered right to their doors. As an Uber Eats driver, you can earn anywhere between $15 and $25 per hour.

To apply for this position, you need to meet specific criteria, most of which (unsurprisingly) have to do with driving. You’ll need to be of the minimum driving age in your city and have an eligible car, a valid U.S. driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and at least one year of licensed driving experience. You can also deliver for Uber Eats using a scooter, bicycle, or even on foot.

Drivers love working for Uber Eats since they can combine it with driving for Uber, maximizing their income. Throw in incredible scheduling flexibility, excellent incentives, and the possibility of instant cash to the mix, and it becomes clear why Uber Eats tops our list.

Did you know? In 2021, Uber Eats merged with another highly popular delivery company, Postmates. Although Postmates has remained a separate app, it offers the same experience as Uber Eats.

2. DoorDash

DoorDash is another food delivery giant you’re probably familiar with. Since its launch in 2013, the company has managed to conquer the food delivery market in all 50 states and apparently doesn’t plan on stopping there.

For DoorDash, the grocery delivery market is next. If you want to be a part of this successful company and become a Dasher, you can expect to make around $15 to $25 per hour.

To do so, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old and have a smartphone and a vehicle (car, motorcycle, bike, e-bike, or scooter). Suppose a car is your vehicle of choice. In that case, you’ll also need a valid U.S. driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and a clean driving record.

As a Dasher, you can schedule your hours in advance, drive for as long as you’d like, choose which orders to accept, keep all the tips, and earn extra money, thanks to Peak Pay and Challenges.

3. Amazon Flex

If you want to join the delivery game, why not do so with a company that has set the standards for efficient and reliable delivery services?

Amazon Flex, a program by the delivery giant, allows you to deliver orders using your own vehicle and earn $18 to $25 per hour in the process.

By Amazon orders, we mean packages for Prime Now members, groceries for those using Amazon Fresh, and food for Amazon Restaurant customers.

If you’re 21, the only thing standing between you and earning money making these diverse deliveries is a valid driver’s license, a mid-size or larger vehicle, and an iPhone or Android smartphone.

As an Amazon Flex driver, you’ll enjoy one of the highest hourly salaries in the industry, a highly lucrative rewards program, and complete control over when you get paid.

Check out other Amazon jobs you can get with a felony conviction.

4. Grubhub

Launched in 2004, Grubhub is a veteran in the food delivery industry. Today, it serves more than 4,000 cities across all 50 states, giving customers a wide range of dining options at their fingertips.

Join Grubhub’s ranks, and you’ll earn approximately $12 to $17 per hour.

The company states it’s looking for punctual drivers with a positive attitude and excellent communication skills. Sure, these will get you far, but you won’t begin the journey without being 18 and owning an eligible phone and vehicle (a car or a bicycle).

The best thing about delivering for Grubhub is that there’s a minimum payment threshold for every location. If a specific delivery doesn’t meet this requirement, your employer will take care of the difference.

Grubhub also looks after you in different aspects, like encouraging customers to tip at least 15% and offering live support during deliveries.

5. Caviar

Do you want to deliver food from upscale restaurants that typically don’t partner with standard food delivery apps? If so, Caviar is the way to go.

Sure, DoorDash acquired this service in 2019 and expanded its food selection, but the emphasis is still on a high-end service from a curated list of restaurants.

With Caviar, you can earn up to $25 per hour (plus some very generous tips).

Since DoorDash is now its parent company, the requirements for Caviar couriers are the same as for Dashers. The same goes for the possibility of earning more during Peak Pay hours and by completing Challenges.

Staying true to its initial mission, Caviar lets you carefully curate your orders and doesn’t penalize you for low order acceptance rates.

6. Instacart

If delivering groceries is more up your alley, you’ll love working for Instacart. The grocery delivery giant was launched in 2012 and operates in all 50 states.

When applying for a job here, you can choose between two positions: an in-store shopper and a full-service shopper.

Choose the former, and you’ll hand-select items for customer orders and prepare them for delivery. Since you won’t do the delivery part, you only need to be at least 18 years old and have a smartphone.

Go for the latter, and you’ll need a car, a valid driver’s license, and car insurance since you’ll also deliver the orders. Depending on your choice, you’ll earn between $10 and $20 per hour and be paid an hourly wage (in-store shoppers) or per job (full-service shoppers).

Pro Tip: To maximize your earnings, only accept batches with 30 items or more.

Besides the opportunity to choose your position, Instacart lets you decide when to work, schedule your hours in advance, see estimated earnings before accepting an order, and skip checkout lines with the Scan & Pay feature.

7. Eaze

California or Michigan residents with a felony conviction wanting a breather from food delivery services should consider working for Eaze. This new startup specializes in cannabis delivery and offers extremely attractive pay rates, ranging from $18 to $26 per hour.
To start working with licensed dispensaries and make many people happy and relaxed, you must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver’s license, registration, and auto insurance.

You’ll also have to complete a criminal background check and have a clean driving record.

Eaze might have some of the strictest driver requirements on the list, but it will all be worth it, and we aren’t talking solely about the desirable pay rates.

You’ll also be reimbursed for your mileage (about $0.55 per mile) and fulfill orders from your personal car supply, allowing you to do more deliveries in less time.

Also, check out other top jobs for felons in California, as its considered one of the most felon-friendly states in the US.

Drive Your Way to Great Earnings

Knowing exactly what each delivery app offers to its drivers will help you make an informed decision about where to apply.

However, you don’t have to limit yourself to only one company.

The best thing about working as an independent contractor is that you can work for multiple delivery apps simultaneously. Whichever you choose, one thing’s for sure: you’ll make a decent wage on your own terms.