No state income tax and real pay floors — but the car and the IRS still take their cut. See what a Washington driver actually keeps.
Gross hourly
—
Vehicle cost (72.5¢/mi)
—
Self-employment tax
—
Est. federal income tax
—
WA state income tax
$0 — none!
Your TRUE hourly pay
—
Tracking every mile is worth real money
At 72.5¢/mi, a driver logging 15,000 miles/year deducts $10,875 from taxable income. A mileage tracking app does it automatically. Compare mileage trackers →
How this calculator works
Your true hourly pay is what's left after costs the apps never show. We subtract vehicle cost at the 2026 IRS standard mileage rate of 72.5¢ per mile, then self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of profit) and federal income tax at your bracket. Washington has no state income tax on wages or self-employment profit, so the state line in your results is $0.
Washington's pay floors — what they cover
Washington was the first state to set statewide minimum per-mile and per-minute rates for rideshare drivers (higher inside Seattle), adjusted annually. Seattle separately enforces its "PayUp" minimum pay standard for app-based delivery workers. Two catches: delivery minimums apply only in Seattle, not statewide, and some apps added customer fees in response, which affected demand. The floors help, but your real number is still gross minus car minus taxes — which is what this page measures.
Watch the rain-soaked miles
Puget Sound traffic and hilly terrain are hard on cars. At 72.5¢/mi, 12,000 business miles is an $8,700 federal deduction — track every one.
How much do gig drivers really make in Washington?
Gross $18–28/hour is common around Seattle thanks to state and city pay floors, but after vehicle costs (72.5¢/mi) and 15.3% self-employment tax, realistic net is often $11–17/hour. No state income tax helps Washington drivers keep more than coastal peers.
Do Washington gig drivers pay state income tax?
No. Washington has no state income tax on wages or self-employment profit. You still owe federal income tax and 15.3% self-employment tax on net profit of $400+.
What minimum pay do Washington drivers get?
Washington sets statewide minimum per-mile and per-minute rates for rideshare trips (higher in Seattle), adjusted annually, and Seattle enforces its own minimum pay standard for delivery app workers. The floors cover engaged time only, so whole-shift pay still depends on staying busy.
Estimates for educational purposes only — not tax, legal, or financial advice. State rules and rates change; consult a tax professional about your situation.