Doordash Pay Adjustment Calculator

Estimate your guaranteed earnings adjustment in California. This tool helps Dashers understand their pay structure under Proposition 22.

What is a DoorDash Pay Adjustment?

A DoorDash pay adjustment is a payment made to Dashers in California to ensure their earnings meet the minimum standards set by Proposition 22. This law guarantees that gig workers earn at least 120% of the local minimum wage for their active time, plus a set compensation for miles driven. If a Dasher's base pay from DoorDash (not including customer tips) for a pay period falls below this guaranteed minimum, DoorDash provides a "pay adjustment" to make up the difference. Our doordash pay adjustment calculator simplifies this calculation for you.

This system is designed to provide a more predictable and fair income floor for drivers. It only applies to "active time," which is the duration from when you accept a delivery offer until you complete the drop-off. Time spent waiting for orders is not included in this calculation.

DoorDash Pay Adjustment Formula and Explanation

The calculation for the Prop 22 guaranteed minimum is straightforward. The formula used by our doordash pay adjustment calculator is as follows:

Guaranteed Minimum = (120% of Local Minimum Wage × Active Hours) + (Mileage Rate × Miles Driven)

The final adjustment is then: Pay Adjustment = Guaranteed Minimum - DoorDash Base Pay

If your DoorDash Base Pay is already higher than the Guaranteed Minimum, your adjustment will be $0. Customer tips are not included in this calculation and are yours to keep on top of all earnings.

Formula Variables

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
Local Minimum Wage	The minimum hourly wage in your delivery area.	$/hour	$16.00 – $20.00+
Active Hours	Total time spent on deliveries after accepting them.	Hours	1 – 40+ per week
Mileage Rate	A fixed rate to compensate for vehicle expenses. As of 2024, this is around $0.35 per mile.	$/mile	$0.35 (fixed by law, adjusted periodically)
Miles Driven	Total miles driven during active hours.	Miles	Varies widely
DoorDash Base Pay	Your total earnings from DoorDash for the period, excluding tips and promotions.	$	Varies widely

Practical Examples

Example 1: Adjustment is Required

A Dasher in an area with a $16/hour minimum wage has the following stats for the week:

• Inputs: Active Hours: 20, Miles Driven: 200, DoorDash Base Pay: $350.
• Guaranteed Time Earnings: (1.20 * $16) * 20 hours = $384.00
• Guaranteed Mileage Earnings: $0.35 * 200 miles = $70.00
• Total Guaranteed Minimum: $384.00 + $70.00 = $454.00
• Result: Since their $350 Base Pay is less than the $454.00 guaranteed minimum, they will receive a $104.00 pay adjustment.

Example 2: No Adjustment Needed

Another Dasher works during busy peak hours:

• Inputs: Active Hours: 15, Miles Driven: 150, DoorDash Base Pay: $400.
• Guaranteed Time Earnings: (1.20 * $16) * 15 hours = $288.00
• Guaranteed Mileage Earnings: $0.35 * 150 miles = $52.50
• Total Guaranteed Minimum: $288.00 + $52.50 = $340.50
• Result: Their $400 Base Pay is already higher than the $340.50 guaranteed minimum. Therefore, the pay adjustment is $0. They keep their full earnings. Thinking about your earnings strategy? You might want to explore a Dasher pay guide to maximize your income.

How to Use This DoorDash Pay Adjustment Calculator

1. Enter Minimum Wage: Input the local minimum wage for the city or area you dash in. The calculator defaults to the California state minimum.
2. Input Active Hours: Find your "Active Time" in your DoorDash earnings summary for the pay period and enter it here.
3. Input Active Miles: Enter the total miles you drove while on active deliveries.
4. Enter Base Pay: Input your total "DoorDash Pay" for the period, making sure *not* to include customer tips.
5. Click Calculate: The tool will instantly show your guaranteed minimum, compare it to your base pay, and display your estimated pay adjustment. For more information, read our guide on understanding Prop 22.

Key Factors That Affect Your DoorDash Pay Adjustment

• Local Minimum Wage: A higher minimum wage directly increases your guaranteed earnings from active time.
• Number of Active Hours: The more you are on active deliveries, the higher your time-based earnings guarantee.
• Miles Driven: Longer-distance deliveries increase your mileage-based guarantee, helping to cover vehicle costs.
• DoorDash Base Pay: Higher base pay from deliveries (often during peak times or with promotions) makes it more likely you'll exceed the minimum without needing an adjustment.
• Customer Tips: While tips don't count towards the adjustment calculation, high-tipping orders can sometimes have lower base pay, making an adjustment more likely. See how tips impact your overall take-home with a tip percentage calculator.
• Pay Period: The adjustment is calculated over an entire pay period (typically one week), not on an order-by-order basis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I get a pay adjustment?

You received a pay adjustment because your DoorDash base pay for the period was lower than the guaranteed minimum earnings set by California's Proposition 22. Our doordash pay adjustment calculator helps you verify this.

Do customer tips affect my pay adjustment?

No, customer tips are entirely separate. The adjustment calculation only compares your DoorDash base pay to the guaranteed minimum. You keep 100% of your tips on top of everything.

What is "Active Time"?

Active time starts the moment you accept a delivery offer and ends the moment you complete the delivery. Time spent waiting for an order to come in does not count as active time under Prop 22. To optimize this, check our earnings per hour calculator.

Is this calculator applicable outside of California?

No. This pay structure is the result of Proposition 22, which is a California state law. Other states or cities may have different rules or no guaranteed earnings minimum.

How often is the mileage rate updated?

The mileage compensation rate is tied to the IRS standard mileage rate and is typically adjusted annually to reflect changes in vehicle operating costs.

What if my DoorDash pay is higher than the guarantee?

If your base pay already exceeds the guaranteed minimum, you will not receive an adjustment. You simply keep the higher amount you've already earned.

Where can I find my Active Hours and Miles in the Dasher app?

You can find this information in the "Earnings" tab of your Dasher app. Look for the weekly summary, which should provide a breakdown of your active time and sometimes mileage.

Does the pay adjustment include promotions like Peak Pay?

Promotions like Peak Pay are typically included in your DoorDash base pay. Therefore, they contribute to helping you meet or exceed the guaranteed minimum before an adjustment is calculated.