I have been working as a food delivery rider in South Korea for three years, using platforms like Baemin Connect and Coupang Eats. When I first started, I accepted any delivery request available. Over time, I began to favor Baemin Connect because the delivery fees were slightly higher than Coupang Eats. For similar distances, Baemin Connect typically pays about $0.40 to $0.80 more per delivery. For short distances, the difference is minimal. However, when delivery fees exceed around $3, the gap becomes more noticeable. This trend has remained consistent even after three years. During the COVID-19 period, news reports claimed that delivery riders were earning extremely high incomes. Even today, some riders reportedly earn over $7,000 per month. I personally know someone who made around $5,500 monthly while working through a delivery agency. However, this required working more than 12 hours a day, 6–7 days a week, often completing high-volume “mission-based” deliveries. It is far from easy. My Actual Earnings as a Delivery Rider From my experience, my income is slightly above the minimum wage level. On weekdays, my hourly earnings typically look like this: There are also idle times during off-peak hours when no delivery requests come in. Sometimes, I wait 30 minutes to an hour without any orders. To reduce downtime, I usually move to busy commercial areas like Jongno or Hongdae, where orders are more consistent. Real Delivery Examples One afternoon, I completed a delivery that paid $3. The navigation estimated 16 minutes total (6 minutes to pickup, 10 minutes to delivery). In reality, it took about 20 minutes due to delays in finding the restaurant and the delivery location. That equals roughly $9 per hour. In another case, a delivery paid $2.50 with a 15-minute total time including waiting and locating the address. This again translates to about $10 per hour. Daily and Monthly Income Breakdown Based on my typical weekday schedule (9 AM to 6 PM): On average: Assuming 22 working days per month: Expenses and Net Income Expenses significantly reduce actual earnings: After deducting these costs, my net monthly income is حوالي $1,630. Why Some Riders Earn More Many riders who earn over $3,000–$4,000 per month work longer hours (10+ hours daily, 6+ days a week). They also increase efficiency by reducing delivery time. However, this often involves risky behaviors such as speeding, ignoring traffic signals, and weaving through traffic. These higher earnings are not just about skill—they are often the result of longer hours and higher risk. Industry Average vs Reality Some reports suggest that full-time riders working over 40 hours per week earn an average of around $3,200 per month in Korea. However, based on my experience, such figures include overtime and risk-based income. A realistic baseline for a rider following traffic rules and working standard hours is closer to $1,600–$1,800 per month after expenses. Final Thoughts Food delivery can provide flexible income, but it is not as lucrative as it may seem in headlines. Earnings depend heavily on working hours, efficiency, location, and willingness to take risks. For those considering this job, it is important to understand both the potential income and the hidden costs.