How Much Couriers Earn

Let's start with gross figures, since these are the numbers that appear in job listings. In Kyiv, a courier working for the largest delivery service earns approximately UAH 25,000–30,000 per month when working full-time, meaning approximately eight hours every day. Top earnings reach UAH 50,000. At the second major service, figures in Kyiv range from approximately UAH 15,000 to UAH 30,000 with a flexible schedule, and experienced couriers emphasize that working only in the evenings and on weekends is the most profitable option. In Dnipro, a three-kilometer delivery during lunchtime pays up to approximately UAH 81, while completing six to ten deliveries a day brings in around UAH 18,000–25,000 per month. In other cities, the range is approximately UAH 17,000–26,000, depending on demand and the number of establishments in the delivery area.

How the Two Services Differ

The first service pays for traveling to the order pickup point, offers more bonuses and a more flexible schedule, but pays less for the delivery itself. The second pays more for distance but does not compensate for traveling to the pickup point and rarely awards bonuses. The practical consequence is that the first option is more profitable on short urban routes with a high volume of orders, while the second is better for longer routes. Experienced couriers often work for both services simultaneously, switching between them during quieter hours. According to estimates, this adds approximately one-third to their revenue.

Now, the Expenses

Fuel or charging costs for approximately 200 kilometers of travel per day amount to around UAH 4,000 per month for a car and approximately UAH 500–1,000 for a bicycle or scooter. Depreciation and repairs cost approximately UAH 2,000 for a car and around UAH 300 for a bicycle. Taxes amount to approximately UAH 2,500.

About Fleets

A significant proportion of couriers and drivers work not directly with the platform but through an intermediary known as a fleet.

A fleet arranges the working relationship, maintains records, and charges a commission of approximately 10–20% of your revenue. In other words, out of UAH 20,000, the intermediary takes UAH 2,000–4,000, and this amount is charged on top of all platform deductions. This is worth clarifying before starting work, since the difference between working directly with a platform and working through a fleet can amount to several thousand hryvnias per month.

A Full Calculation for a Courier

A car courier with a gross revenue of UAH 30,000 spends approximately UAH 4,000 on fuel, UAH 2,000 on depreciation, and UAH 2,500 on taxes, leaving around UAH 21,500. If they work through a fleet charging a 15% commission, that means another UAH 4,500 deducted, leaving approximately UAH 17,000.

A bicycle courier with a gross revenue of UAH 25,000 spends approximately UAH 800 on maintenance, UAH 300 on depreciation, and UAH 2,500 on taxes, leaving around UAH 21,500. An interesting point emerges here. Despite the lower gross revenue, a bicycle delivers approximately the same or even a better net result because its expenses are several times lower. Industry estimates confirm this: out of UAH 30,000 in gross revenue, approximately UAH 22,000–25,000 remains after expenses.

How Much a Taxi Driver Keeps

As of 2026, platform commissions in Kyiv are approximately 20% for one service and 25% for two others. One of these also adds another 2% to its base commission for processing cashless payments, bringing the total to approximately 27%. In smaller cities, commissions are lower and, according to data from one of the services, range from approximately 5% to 25%, depending on the city. However, the commission is only the first deduction. After fuel, car depreciation, and taxes, a driver keeps approximately half of their gross earnings. In other words, if you collect UAH 4,000 during a shift, approximately UAH 2,000 is actually yours.

What Eats Up the Other Half

The platform commission is approximately 20–27%. Fuel is the largest expense after the commission when working intensively in the city. Car depreciation means wear and tear that may not be noticeable every day but becomes apparent through repairs and the loss of the vehicle's value. Maintenance, tires, and washing also cost money. Then there are taxes. A fleet commission also applies if you work through an intermediary. It is worth mentioning separately that changes to driver taxation have been announced for 2027, so this is something to keep track of.

Why Job Listing Figures Are Inflated

Job listing aggregators calculate averages based on advertised vacancies, while employers list the maximum possible earnings to attract candidates. As a result, one aggregator shows the average courier salary at more than UAH 39,000, whereas practical calculations indicate net earnings of UAH 20,000–25,000. This is the difference between what you could theoretically earn under ideal conditions and what remains on average. It is better to use the lower end of the range as a reference rather than the average.

What Has the Greatest Impact on Revenue

The city determines everything else, since the difference between the capital and a small town is approximately 1.5–2 times. The type of transport affects not gross revenue but net earnings, and a bicycle or scooter often comes out ahead of a car. Working hours matter more than the total number of hours, because evenings, weekends, and bad weather bring higher rates and bonuses. Working for several services simultaneously provides a noticeable increase in earnings during quieter hours. Working directly instead of through an intermediary saves 10–20% of your revenue.

What You Should Consider in Advance

This is a full-time job, meaning eight or more hours every day, and revenue is directly proportional to the time worked, with no days off or sick leave. Vehicle depreciation is a real expense, even if you do not feel it every month, and after two or three years of intensive work, a car will require significant investment. Seasonality is pronounced: there are more orders in winter, but expenses are higher and working conditions are more difficult. You bear the insurance and medical risks because you are not an employee. Tax registration is mandatory, and the rules are the same as for any other entrepreneurial activity.

Sources

Data on taxi service commissions in Kyiv as of 2026, based on Kyiv Smart City materials; calculations of courier revenue and expenses from industry publications; job listing aggregator data.