Gig workers are increasingly leaving ride-hailing and delivery apps, such as Uber and DoorDash, in search of full-time employment or alternative side hustles. Factors contributing to this trend include declining earnings and the looming threat of self-driving vehicles. Many gig workers are expressing a desire to move away from the unpredictable income associated with these platforms.
After spending two years as a full-time Uber driver in the Denver area, James Howe experienced a significant shift in his earnings. Initially, he earned between $2,000 and $3,000 monthly by accepting every ride offer. However, as lucrative trips became harder to find, he began selectively accepting only the most profitable rides. This strategy required him to spend more time monitoring the app without generating income. “You wound up spending a lot more time on the app, even though you weren’t necessarily driving people,” Howe stated.
Late last year, Howe transitioned to a full-time job in finance after a passenger recommended him for the position. Since December, he has not returned to driving for Uber. He expressed concern over the future of gig work, particularly regarding how self-driving cars may impact human drivers. “The future looks quite grim for them,” he remarked.
Retention Rates Highlight Gig Work Challenges
Data from Gridwise, a data analytics company, reveals that retention rates for gig workers remain low. Approximately 41% of Uber drivers who began working between July and September 2025 continued to complete trips six months later. This marks a decline from earlier figures showing about 50% retention for drivers who started between January and April 2024. Similarly, Lyft has reported a retention rate of around 40% for both periods.
An Uber spokesperson claimed that the company has experienced historic lows in driver churn rates in the US. They referred to a survey from last year indicating that 64% of drivers reported satisfaction with their experience on the platform. Despite these claims, Ryan Green, CEO of Gridwise, noted that many gig apps previously offered higher bonuses, which incentivized drivers to remain active. As these bonuses have diminished, competition among gig workers has increased due to more individuals seeking income amid rising living costs.
In Atlanta, a former Uber driver shared her experience of relying on the app for income for a decade after losing her corporate job. She is now exploring other employment options after observing a decline in her earnings. Similarly, Justin Fisher, a ride-hailing driver in Houston, is seeking alternatives after his Uber account was temporarily deactivated for not completing an identity check. Fisher, who previously worked in restaurant management, highlighted the instability of gig work: “It’s been making it very difficult for me to have a stable income, because I don’t know for sure whether they’re going to deactivate me.”
Challenges in Securing Traditional Employment
Transitioning from gig work to a conventional full-time job presents its own challenges. Many former gig workers face long-term unemployment, even as they engage in networking and interviews for new roles. A Lyft driver in Florida shared that having gig work as the most recent experience on his résumé complicates his job search. Despite possessing a bachelor’s degree and prior experience running a marketing business, he suspects his time as a Lyft driver has hindered his applications. “I’m very much considering taking Lyft off of my résumé,” he admitted. “But if I do that, that’s going to show an enormous gap of employment that I’m going to need to explain.”
As gig workers assess their futures, the shifting landscape of employment options continues to present both challenges and opportunities. The significant decline in earnings and the competitive nature of gig platforms have prompted many to reconsider their career paths, seeking stability in traditional employment.
