Prop 22 Calculator

Estimate Your California Minimum Earnings Guarantee & Net Pay

Category	Amount	Notes

What is a Prop 22 Calculator?

A Prop 22 Calculator is an essential tool for gig workers in California, including those driving for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Instacart. Since the passing of Proposition 22, app-based drivers are classified as independent contractors but are entitled to specific financial protections. The most significant of these is the “guaranteed minimum earnings.” This Prop 22 Calculator allows you to input your “engaged” time and distance to see if the platform owes you a “top-up” or adjustment payment.

Who should use it? Any gig worker operating in California should use a Prop 22 Calculator to verify their weekly or bi-weekly pay statements. A common misconception is that all hours with the app open count toward the guarantee. In reality, only “engaged time”—the period from accepting a request to finishing it—is calculated.

Prop 22 Calculator Formula and Mathematical Explanation

The math behind the Prop 22 Calculator is standardized across all platforms. The law guarantees that drivers earn at least 120% of the local minimum wage for their engaged time, plus a per-mile compensation for vehicle expenses.

The Core Formula:

Total Guarantee = (Engaged Hours × Local Minimum Wage × 1.20) + (Engaged Miles × $0.35)

Variable	Meaning	Unit	Typical Range
Engaged Hours	Time spent on active deliveries/trips	Hours (decimal)	10 – 60 hrs
Min Wage	Applicable state or city minimum wage	USD ($)	$16.00 – $19.00
Engaged Miles	Distance driven during active trips	Miles	100 – 1000 mi
Mileage Rate	Statutory reimbursement (inflation adjusted)	USD per mile	$0.34 – $0.35

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Example 1: The Part-Time DoorDash Driver

Let’s say a driver in Los Angeles (Min wage $16.78) has 20 engaged hours and 150 engaged miles. They earned $350 in base pay and $100 in tips.
Using the Prop 22 Calculator:
– Wage Guarantee: 20 × $16.78 × 1.2 = $402.72
– Mileage Comp: 150 × $0.35 = $52.50
– Total Guarantee: $455.22
– Adjustment: $455.22 – $350 = $105.22 top-up.
Total Take-home: $455.22 (guarantee) + $100 (tips) = $555.22.

Example 2: The High-Efficiency Uber Driver

An Uber driver completes 40 engaged hours and 600 engaged miles in a city with a $16.00 minimum wage. Their base pay was $850 due to high surges.
Using the Prop 22 Calculator:
– Wage Guarantee: 40 × $16.00 × 1.2 = $768.00
– Mileage Comp: 600 × $0.35 = $210.00
– Total Guarantee: $978.00
– Adjustment: $978.00 – $850 = $128.00.
The driver still receives a top-up because the high mileage increased their total guarantee beyond their base earnings.

How to Use This Prop 22 Calculator

1. Enter Engaged Hours: Look at your app’s weekly summary for “Engaged Time” or “Active Time.” Convert minutes to decimals (e.g., 30 mins = 0.5).
2. Enter Engaged Miles: This is the distance tracked by the app while on trips.
3. Input Local Wage: Use the minimum wage for the area where you perform most of your work.
4. Enter Base Earnings: This is the net pay before tips and before any previous Prop 22 adjustments.
5. Add Tips: Input your total tips received to see your true total net income.
6. Analyze Results: The Prop 22 Calculator will instantly show if you are owed an adjustment and calculate your total earnings.

Key Factors That Affect Prop 22 Calculator Results

• Engaged vs. Online Time: The Prop 22 Calculator only uses time spent on a task. Waiting for pings does not count toward the 120% guarantee.
• Mileage Reimbursement: The $0.35/mile rate is designed to cover gas, maintenance, and depreciation. If your vehicle costs are higher, your real profit may be lower.
• Local Minimum Wage: Cities like West Hollywood or San Francisco have higher wages than the California state minimum, significantly increasing your guarantee.
• Tips Handling: Tips are legally separate. The Prop 22 Calculator ensures you see how tips bolster your income without letting the app use them to meet the minimum wage requirement.
• Healthcare Subsidy: While not in the primary earnings calculation, your engaged hours per week determine if you qualify for a quarterly healthcare stipend.
• Operating Expenses: Since you are an independent contractor, you must subtract fuel, insurance, and taxes from the final Prop 22 Calculator result to find your actual profit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does Prop 22 pay for gas?

Prop 22 provides a mileage reimbursement (currently $0.35 per engaged mile) which is intended to cover gas and vehicle wear and tear. Use the Prop 22 Calculator to see your total mileage compensation.

How often are Prop 22 adjustments paid?

Most platforms, like Uber and DoorDash, calculate and pay Prop 22 adjustments every two weeks.

What counts as ‘Engaged Time’ in the Prop 22 Calculator?

Engaged time starts the moment you accept a delivery or ride request and ends when you complete that specific task.

Are tips included in the 120% guarantee?

No. One of the best features of the Prop 22 Calculator is that it separates tips. Tips are added on top of the guarantee and cannot be used by the app to reach the minimum wage threshold.

Does Prop 22 apply outside of California?

No, Prop 22 is specific to California. Other states may have different regulations, such as Seattle’s PayUp law or New York City’s minimum pay for delivery workers.

What is the 2024 Prop 22 mileage rate?

As of 2024, the inflation-adjusted mileage rate is approximately $0.35 per mile, up from the original $0.30 in 2020.

Can the Prop 22 adjustment be negative?

In our Prop 22 Calculator, if your base earnings exceed the guarantee, the adjustment is $0. You never have to pay money back to the app.

Do I still need to track my own miles for taxes?

Yes. The IRS standard mileage rate is usually higher than the Prop 22 rate. While the Prop 22 Calculator helps with earnings, tax tracking is separate for maximum deductions.