Culture

Gen Z Dashers Value the Flexibility and Reliability of Dashing on Their Own Schedule

Gen Z Dashers – those ages 18 to 25 years old – recognize the value of earning on their own schedule, when and where they want. As Gen Z continues to join the workforce, they are known to be determined in their pursuit of a job that works for them, often switching employers until they have found the right fit.

Apr 26, 2023
dx spotlight BridgetCraig2

With the recent news that more people are turning to supplemental sources of income, Gen Z is being drawn to flexible work. A recent H&R Block study found that more than half of Gen Z (52%) have a side hustle, with nearly one in five reporting multiple side hustles. 

Gen Z Dashers – those ages 18 to 25 years old – recognize the value of earning on their own schedule, when and where they want.  As Gen Z continues to join the workforce, they are known to be determined in their pursuit of a job that works for them, often switching employers until they have found the right fit. However, Gen Z Dashers also say it’s important to have an additional source of income amidst these career transitionsAlmost three-quarters (71%) of Gen Z Dashers said that dashing provided a source of income after leaving a previous full- or part-time job that wasn’t a fit. And more than half (55%) of Gen Z Dashers said being able to earn through an app-based delivery platform positively influenced their decision to pursue a life goal such as taking on a new career. 

Dashing provides supplemental income – whenever Dashers want it. When the job market doesn’t deliver, a flexible and accessible source of income is even more useful — the vast majority (75%) of Gen Z Dashers said they have dashed to make up for lost income or reduced hours at a full- or part-time job. Nearly half (49%) of Gen Z Dashers said that Dashing gave them the freedom to leave a job they didn’t like. Gen Z Dashers overwhelmingly prefer delivery instead of rideshare — nearly all (90%) of Gen Z Dashers have never driven for rideshare and don’t plan to.

“Dashing fits into my schedule because I can study or take class during the day and then dash in the afternoon or on weekends,” says Pamela Bonilla, a Los Angeles-based Dasher who is a student at UC Riverside. “The flexibility to dash whenever I have time is great.”

Many Gen Z Dashers are busy with school or work other jobs, which means they want to earn supplemental income in new and creative ways when they have free time. Dashing offers a low-stress way to earn in between classes or after other job responsibilities — 40% of Gen Z Dashers are students and 35% of Gen Z Dashers have a separate full-time job where they work at least 30 hours a week. Around a third (32%) of Gen Z Dashers dash to pay for educational expenses, such as their school tuition, books, or supplies. 

Gen Z Dashers choose to supplement their income for a wide variety of reasons — over half (58%) of Gen Z Dashers dash to pay monthly bills like rent, mortgage, or car payments, for example. Yet dashing is an accessible way to meet smaller milestones as well. For example, more than a third (38%) of Gen Z Dashers dash to pay for gifts, either for themselves or others, and special occasions. Gen Z Dashers are driven and leverage dashing to help them achieve their goals — in fact, Gen Z Dashers were almost twice as likely as older Dashers to say that they planned to dash until they met a specific goal.By connecting Dashers from all walks of life — such as those who have full-time jobs or are experiencing disabilities — to supplemental sources of income, DoorDash is committed to continuing to positively impact the lives of millions of people.