How much a food delivery courier earns in Cluj and Iași (2026)
Updated · 2 min read
The first thing everyone asks me on the phone is "how much will I make?". The honest answer is "it depends", but it depends on things you can calculate. These are the numbers I work with, by vehicle and hours.
What you make per hour
You are paid per delivered order, not a fixed hourly rate. To compare, I turn it into hourly averages I see among couriers in Cluj and Iași:
Weekly and monthly examples
From the gross amount, the 10% commission comes off. That's it. No sign-up fee, no hidden costs from me. Tips are 100% yours.
Why it differs from person to person
- Time of day: lunch (around 11–14) and dinner (around 18–22) bring the most orders. An hour at 4 pm on a Tuesday is not worth a Friday evening hour.
- Weekends and weather: when it rains or it's cold, people order more and fewer couriers are out.
- Area: in dense neighbourhoods with many restaurants close by you do more deliveries per hour than at the edge of town.
- Vehicle: a scooter or car covers longer distances but you pay for fuel. A bike costs nothing but hills tire you faster.
- Experience: after two weeks you know the blocks, entrances and slow restaurants. That shows directly in orders per hour.
Your own costs
On a scooter or car you pay fuel and maintenance. You need a phone with mobile data and a delivery bag. On a bike, costs are close to zero.
Taxes depend on the contract type. With an employment contract, contributions are withheld from your payslip. As a PFA (self-employed) you pay them yourself. I tell you exactly what fits you before you sign anything.
When you get paid
Weekly, straight to your bank account. You don't wait a whole month like at a regular job, which matters a lot when you're just starting.
In short
With 45 hours a week on a scooter you get to about ~1.125 lei net per week. With 20 hours as a side job, around ~495 lei. These are estimates, not promises. The calculator on the site shows the number for your hours and vehicle.