A 72-year-old Uber driver who earned $80,000 last year explains how he avoids burnout and why it's become harder to make money on the app

• Rich, 72, earned $80,000 last year driving for Uber.
• He said more drivers and fewer app promotions mean it's more difficult than ever to make money.
• Engaging with customers helps him avoid burnout during long shifts.

Rich, a full-time Uber driver for more three years, said it's not uncommon for him to start working as early as 4:30 a.m.

"After I have my coffee and watch a little news I start driving," he told Insider.

Rich is not the Arizona 72-year-old's real name. His identity is known to Insider, but he spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of professional repercussions.

Last year, Rich made over $80,000 driving for Uber, according to a tax document viewed by Insider. But he said it took a lot of hours to earn this income.

Rich considers himself to be retired, but he said whenever he's not traveling, he usually drives between 40 and 55 hours a week for Uber. He's completed over 17,000 trips since he began driving, and over just the past year, he said he's put about 77,000 miles on his vehicle — which he uses strictly for Uber.

Including tips, Rich estimated that he makes about $22 per hour before gas, maintenance, and other vehicle expenses are accounted for. He said making money from driving is more difficult than ever.

"I am making less, per hour, this year than I made in the previous three years," he said. "Not near as many promotions or surges as there were in previous years."

Rich is one of millions of Uber and Lyft drivers in the US who can't count on a consistent paycheck. It's why many are tracking their hours, expenses, and tips to make sure driving is worth their time. For some drivers, working longer may be the only way to offset declining hourly earnings.

Rich, who started driving largely out of boredom, said engaging with customers — at least the ones who are willing to talk — is the key to getting through long work shifts.

"For share-driving you have to like to drive," he said. "You have to like to meet people and to be able to carry an intelligent conversation. Otherwise, you're going to burn out early."

The growing number of drivers has made it harder to make money

Rich began driving around the beginning of the pandemic but said he eventually decided to pause due to rising COVID-19 case numbers. In early 2021, when he received the vaccine that was rolled out for Americans aged 65 and older, he said he started driving again.

During the pandemic, when some drivers stopped driving due to health concerns, Rich said he thinks the lack of competition made it easier for him to make money.

But many drivers have since returned. Uber reported that its number of drivers hit a record-high 5 million in 2022. Last fall, Lyft said it had its highest number of active drivers in over two years.

"There were a number of times when I'd make over $2,000 a week — as high as $2,700 one week — however, those days are long gone," Rich said. "I can't remember the last time I made $2,000 in a week."

In September and October, Rich earned between $1,000 and $1,500 during the four weeks he drove five or more days, according to a document viewed by Insider.

While making money may have become more challenging, Rich said it's a comfort that he has his retirement savings and Social Security income to fall back on — and that he's not driving to keep a roof over his head.

"I don't make the money that I did previously but I do okay, not great but okay," he said. "For me, it's all play money."