Seattle Gig Workers Face Income Decline

After the implementation of Seattle’s ordinance aimed at increasing wages for gig workers, many are now experiencing a sharp decline in their earnings. Initially, these regulations successfully raised app-based workers’ minimum wage payments and compensation for time spent in traffic and distance traveled. However, wages soon dropped considerably as increased customer fees affected order volume.

For instance, DoorDash driver Michael Rowe shared that he earned $58 for two deliveries that took an hour due to heavy traffic, compared to just $17 for the same deliveries before the ordinance was in place. He noted that after a few months, customer orders dwindled, leaving some workers on the platform without any assignments for long stretches.

According to Uttam Mukherjee, co-owner of a Seattle Indian restaurant, the ordinance has resulted in a nearly 50% decline in business, as the added fees push meal prices sky-high—rising from $12-$15 when ordered directly to $35-$40 through apps like DoorDash.

A report from DoorDash analyzed order sales in cities like Denver, Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco between January 2023 and January 2025. It revealed that while Denver saw a 20% increase, Portland 40%, and San Francisco 30%, Seattle only experienced a modest rise of 5% in monthly order sales.

Moreover, DoorDash noted that Seattle customers pay, on average, 3.5 times more for their orders than those in Denver, San Francisco, or Portland. A survey conducted by Intentionalist, a small business guide, highlighted that many local establishments are now facing tougher financial challenges than during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of those surveyed, almost 71.4% reported decreased foot traffic, 63% saw a drop in business, and about 80% operated with less than $1 million in annual revenue.