Lyft executives earned $300 as Lyft drivers, IPO filing reveals

It's not easy being a Lyft driver.
 By 
Sasha Lekach
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Last year when Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi got behind the wheel to understand life as a driver for his ride-hailing company, he failed miserably. And it was all filmed. After Lyft filed to go public Friday, we learned that like its competitor, ride-hailing executives also gave rides on its platform in the past two years.

While disclosing executive pay, Lyft shared that in 2017 and 2018 some of the executives, like the co-founders, executive vice president, and chief operating officer "provided rides to riders...in a similar manner as other drivers." While we don't know how they fared making turns and following app directions, we do know that they earned the company a dismal amount from these rides: less than $300 each year.

That's small potatoes compared to the $10 billion drivers have earned since Lyft started. But Lyft says there's value beyond the earnings, "We believe that these driving activities provide the named executive officers with substantial practical insight into how our platform serves drivers."

The execs couldn't have given too many rides considering the average Lyft trip is about 6 miles or so, which in San Francisco is a trip from City Hall to Ocean Beach and costs about $20 bucks. Needless to say, no matter how many trips they gave, those earnings didn't mean much for their annual income.

The average Lyft driver earns about $30 an hour before expenses, while co-founder and CEO Logan Green made over $41 million in 2017 including stock options. His 2018 salary was just over $400,000.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Here's the light-hearted video of Khosrowshahi missing turns and struggling to follow directions as he drives around for Uber last year:

For the Lyft executives, you have to wonder how much riders tipped and what their driver rating is...

Topics Uber lyft

Mashable Image
Sasha Lekach

Sasha is a news writer at Mashable's San Francisco office. She's an SF native who went to UC Davis and later received her master's from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She's been reporting out of her hometown over the years at Bay City News (news wire), SFGate (the San Francisco Chronicle website), and even made it out of California to write for the Chicago Tribune. She's been described as a bookworm and a gym rat.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Does AI save time? Executives say yes, employees say no.
AI apps on mobile device

Lyft launches Lyft Teen for riders 13-17 years old
Two phone screens, one shows the Lyft app's map, the other displays the PIN verification screen.

DoorDash drivers are getting paid to close Waymo car doors
Waymo robotaxi

The Jackery Explorer 300 power station is down to its lowest-ever price — save $80 at Amazon
Jackery Explorer 300

Upgrade your smartphone with $300 off the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold on pink and light purple background

More in Tech
How to watch Chelsea vs. Port Vale online for free
Alejandro Garnacho of Chelsea reacts

How to watch 'Wuthering Heights' at home: Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi's controversial romance now streaming
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi embracing in still from "Wuthering Heights"

How to watch New York Islanders vs. Philadelphia Flyers online for free
Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders warms up

How to watch Mexico vs. Belgium online for free
Israel Reyes of Mexico reacts

How to watch Brazil vs. Croatia online for free
Vinicius Junior #10 of Brazil leaves

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.


NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!