If you’ve been eyeing SkipTheDishes as a way to earn extra cash, you’re not alone. Thousands of Canadians have tried it, and the appeal is obvious: set your own hours, work whenever it suits you, and pocket some gas money on the side. But driver reviews paint a more complicated picture — and the numbers don’t always match the marketing.

4 related posts

Average Hourly Pay: $18.31 (Indeed Edmonton data) · Approval Timeline: Up to 14 business days · Startup Cost: ~$80 ($20 background + $60 bag) · Edmonton Rating: 2.9/5 on Indeed

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact approval times vary by location — no official SLA published
  • Peak hour top-up amounts aren’t publicly posted
  • Tip frequency and average amounts aren’t disclosed
3Earnings signal
  • Edmonton hourly average: $18.31 (Indeed), 15% below national average (Indeed salary data)
  • Drivers report pay dropped from $20-25/hr to $11-13/hr in recent years (Indeed pay reviews)
  • Pick-up shifts reportedly pay more hourly and often extend longer (Indeed driver reviews)
4What happens next
  • Apply at couriers.skipthedishes.com with documents ready
  • Wait up to 14 business days for background check completion
  • Consider multi-apping (DD, Uber Eats) to maximize earnings

The following table summarizes key specs and data points from driver reports and platform sources.

Field Detail
Job Type Self-employed courier
Pay Model Per delivery + tips
Avg Hourly (Edmonton) $18.31 (Indeed reviews)
Requirements Vehicle, phone, license, G license (cars)
Startup Cost ~$80 ($20 background + $60 bag)
Incentive Rate 80% acceptance for minimum fee guarantees
Application Site couriers.skipthedishes.com
Edmonton Rating 2.9/5 (Indeed, 1,230 reviews)
Pay/Benefits Rating 2.3/5 in Edmonton

Can anyone be a Skip the Dishes driver?

Technically, yes — but the requirements narrow the pool more than the ads suggest. Skip doesn’t require a fancy car or special certifications, but you still need a few things in order before the app opens up for you.

Basic eligibility

The baseline is straightforward: you must be the age of majority in your province, which is 18 in most cases (19 in some due to alcohol delivery rules in Alberta). You need a valid driver’s license, a smartphone with a data plan, and a vehicle with valid insurance and registration. According to Driversnote, a gig-driving guide that tracks Canadian delivery platforms, you also need to pass a background check that costs $20 and can take up to 14 business days to process.

The catch

The background check is non-negotiable and time-consuming. If you’re planning to start next week, build in at least two weeks of waiting — and that’s before the approval even goes through.

Vehicle and equipment needs

Skip doesn’t require a specific car model or year, but it must be a reliable vehicle with insurance and registration in your name. Regular G license holders are fine — no commercial license needed. You cannot use vans or trucks, as confirmed by Indeed’s Skip FAQ section. Beyond the car, you’ll need a thermal delivery bag, which Skip sells for around $60.

Background checks

The background check itself runs through a third-party provider (Sterling), and drivers note the wait can be frustratingly long. Some applicants report waiting closer to three weeks rather than the stated 14 business days, especially during high-volume hiring periods. What goes into that check? Your driving record and criminal background — nothing unusual for a delivery role, but it adds friction to getting started.

Bottom line: The implication: budget for at least three weeks from application to first delivery, not the two weeks Skip officially quotes.

How do Skip the Dishes get paid?

Skip operates on a per-delivery model, which sounds simple but gets complicated once you factor in incentives, peak bonuses, and tips. Here’s how the math breaks down.

Payment structure

Base pay is per delivery, with a guaranteed minimum fee that kicks in if you hit an 80% acceptance rate. That’s the threshold — below it and you lose the guarantee. Peak hours add small top-ups, roughly $1 extra per delivery, according to Driversnote’s tracking of Skip’s incentive structure. Tips are separate and go directly to you, which is where experienced drivers say the real money hides.

The upshot

The 80% acceptance rate is the key metric. If you’re cherry-picking only short trips, you’ll likely fall below it and lose the minimum fee floor — making every low-ball offer feel even worse.

Tips and fees

Skip doesn’t charge drivers a commission fee like some platforms do, but the base per-delivery rate has reportedly dropped over time. Drivers on YouTube have documented minimum order payments as low as $4.45 per run, though Skip has never publicly posted a guaranteed minimum amount. Tips vary wildly by order and customer, and Skip has faced criticism that the app doesn’t always surface tip amounts before drivers accept orders.

Payout schedule

Direct deposit is standard, and you’ll need a Canadian bank account. The application process guides you to link your account early on. Payout frequency appears to be weekly, though drivers report waiting several days after the weekly cutoff to see funds land.

The pattern: weekly gross pay can take 3-5 days to reach your account after the work week ends.

How much money can I earn with Skip the Dishes in Edmonton?

This is where the official data and user reports diverge most sharply. Indeed’s salary data shows Edmonton couriers averaging $18.31/hour, while Glassdoor pegs the annual figure at $61,220 — but driver reviews tell a grimmer story.

Location-specific earnings

The Indeed salary page for Skip in Edmonton shows $18.31/hour as the average, approximately 15% below the national average. A second estimate on the same page lists $17.76/hour, 17% below national average. These figures come from aggregated self-reported data, meaning they include drivers who worked full-time and part-time, with and without tips. According to Driversnote, peak hours offer a $1 bonus per delivery, which can add up if you’re strategic about your schedule.

Factors affecting pay

Multiple Edmonton reviews point to a significant pay decline in recent years. One courier on Indeed’s pay discussion board stated: “Use to earn 20-25 an hour, now it’s 11-13. Rarely make above minimum wage.” Another reviewer put it more bluntly: “By the time you pay for gas, you make about half of minimum wage.” The Glassdoor compensation rating for Skip in Edmonton sits at 3.4/5, which suggests mixed but not entirely negative sentiment on overall pay.

Why this matters

The gap between Indeed’s $18.31 average and driver reports of $11-13/hour tells you something important: the average includes tips and peak bonuses that aren’t guaranteed. In a slow week, Edmonton drivers say the floor is much closer to minimum wage — and after gas, sometimes below it.

Comparisons to other cities

Edmonton’s 15-17% below-average pay position is notable when compared to Toronto or Vancouver, where demand and order volume tend to be higher. Multi-apping drivers in Edmonton frequently report that Skip offers worse per-delivery deals than DoorDash or Uber Eats, which they stack to stay profitable. Pick-up shifts, where restaurants call drivers directly, reportedly pay better per hour and often extend longer than app-assigned routes.

Bottom line: The catch: Edmonton drivers treating Skip as a primary income source face an uphill financial battle compared to counterparts in larger markets.

How long does it take to get approved for skip?

Approval involves three stages: application, document review, and background check. Each adds time, and the total can stretch longer than Skip’s official guidance suggests.

Application process

You start by visiting couriers.skipthedishes.com, filling in your personal details, vehicle information, and availability. You’ll need to upload copies of your driver’s license, government-issued photo ID, and proof of work eligibility (typically a SIN or work permit). Bank account information is collected for direct deposit. A YouTube application walkthrough shows the process taking 15-20 minutes if all documents are ready.

Documents required

The full document list, per Driversnote, includes: valid driver’s license, government-issued photo ID, bank info for direct deposit, and proof of work eligibility. If you’re in BC, regular personal auto insurance is acceptable for up to six days per month of delivery work — beyond that, you’d need to upgrade to commercial coverage, which costs around $60/month extra. In Alberta and most other provinces, standard insurance typically suffices for the delivery use case.

Approval timeline

Skip’s official guidance suggests 14 business days for the background check, but that’s a maximum, not a minimum. Some drivers report approval in 7-10 days; others wait closer to three weeks during busy periods. The background check itself runs through Sterling, and the wait is the biggest wildcard in the process. Once approved, you’ll download the Skip driver app and complete an orientation module before you can start accepting orders.

What this means: plan for a 3-week timeline from application to first delivery, and don’t quit your day job until the approval comes through.

Is it worth being a SkipTheDishes driver?

The honest answer depends on your goals, your location, and how you approach the gig. Here’s what the reviews and data say about the trade-offs.

Upsides

  • Flexible schedule — work whenever you want
  • No commission fees deducted from earnings
  • Pick-up shifts offer better hourly rates
  • Bike delivery option in select cities (Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver)
  • Peak hour bonuses add modest income boost

Downsides

  • Edmonton pay reportedly dropped from $20-25 to $11-13/hour
  • Pay and benefits rated 2.3/5 on Indeed in Edmonton
  • Not a living wage — multiple reviews say it’s not viable alone
  • Graveyard shifts often the only available slots
  • Gas costs eat into earnings significantly
  • 80% acceptance threshold required for minimum fee guarantees

Driver experiences

The Indeed reviews for Skip in Edmonton paint a picture of frustrated drivers. With 1,230 reviews, the overall rating sits at 2.9/5 — mediocre for a gig platform. Pay and benefits, at 2.3/5, is one of the lowest-rated categories. One reviewer’s blunt assessment: “Not even close to a living wage.” Another stated: “You’re lucky if you can make $5 an hour.” These are clearly at the negative end of the spectrum, but they represent a real segment of drivers who expected more from the platform.

What to watch

Edmonton drivers report wildly inconsistent daily earnings — $80 one day, $200+ the next. This unpredictability makes Skip unreliable as a primary income source unless you have other financial backing or extremely low vehicle costs.

Comparisons to Uber Eats

Multi-apping drivers in Edmonton consistently report that Skip offers lower per-delivery payouts than DoorDash or Uber Eats. Many drivers run Skip alongside another platform to compensate. One reviewer summarized the common strategy: “Multi-apping with DD and Uber [is common], but Skip offers worse deals.” If you’re strictly comparing platforms, Skip’s pay structure is less competitive in Edmonton than its rivals.

The implication: treating Skip as your sole delivery platform in Edmonton likely means leaving money on the table compared to multi-apping strategies.

Bottom line: SkipTheDishes works as a flexible side gig with low barriers to entry, but Edmonton drivers report earnings that have dropped sharply in recent years — from $20-25/hr down to $11-13/hr after gas. For anyone treating it as a primary income source: the data suggests the math doesn’t work. For flex earners with a vehicle already paid off: it’s worth the experiment if you target peak hours and pick-up shifts.

How to become a SkipTheDishes courier

Here’s the step-by-step process for getting on the road with Skip.

  1. Check eligibility. Confirm you’re 18+ (19+ in Alberta) with a valid G license, smartphone, and vehicle insurance.
  2. Prepare your documents. Gather driver’s license, government-issued photo ID, proof of work eligibility (SIN or work permit), and bank account details for direct deposit.
  3. Budget for startup costs. Set aside roughly $80 — $20 for the background check and $60 for a thermal delivery bag if Skip is selling them.
  4. Apply online. Visit couriers.skipthedishes.com, fill in the application, and upload your documents.
  5. Wait for background check. Expect up to 14 business days. Avoid calling support asking for updates — processing times are firm.
  6. Download the driver app. Once approved, install the Skip driver app and complete the orientation module.
  7. Start accepting orders. Begin with a few shifts to gauge demand in your area. Target peak hours if maximizing income is the goal.
  8. Consider multi-apping. Pair Skip with DoorDash or Uber Eats to offset lower per-delivery payouts.

“By the time you pay for gas, you make about half of minimum wage”

— Delivery Driver, Anonymous Indeed Reviewer

“Not even close to a living wage”

— Skip the Dishes Food Courier, Anonymous Indeed Reviewer

Related reading: CIBC online banking for direct deposit · Amazon Canada delivery customer service

Additional sources

youtube.com, ca.indeed.com, youtube.com, glassdoor.com, youtube.com

Aspiring couriers exploring SkipTheDishes often start with the SkipTheDishes driver guide for its practical tips on app setup alongside requirements and realistic pay expectations.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the SkipTheDishes driver app?

The Skip driver app is the interface couriers use to receive delivery requests, navigate to restaurants and customers, and track earnings. It’s available on iOS and Android and works alongside your phone’s GPS.

How to contact Skip driver support?

Driver support is accessible through the app’s help section. You can also reach Skip’s courier support via the contact options listed on the couriers portal. Response times vary, and many drivers report long wait times for non-urgent queries.

What is SkipTheDishes driver login?

The driver portal login is at couriers.skipthedishes.com, where you access your dashboard, update documents, and review earnings. The driver app handles order acceptance once you’re logged in there.

Do Skip drivers need a car?

Not necessarily. Bike delivery is available in select cities — Halifax, Montreal, Toronto (Downtown), and Vancouver (Downtown). For car deliveries, a regular G license is required; vans and trucks are not permitted.

How often do Skip drivers get paid?

Pay is distributed via weekly direct deposit. The exact cutoff day varies, and funds typically arrive a few days after the weekly period ends.

What documents are needed for Skip approval?

You’ll need a valid driver’s license, government-issued photo ID, proof of work eligibility (SIN or work permit), and bank account information for direct deposit. A thermal delivery bag is also required — Skip sells one for around $60.

Is a background check required for Skip?

Yes. All couriers must pass a criminal background and driving record check. It costs $20 and can take up to 14 business days, with some drivers reporting longer waits during high-volume periods.

Is Skip worth it compared to other delivery gigs?

Based on Edmonton driver reports, Skip pays less per delivery than DoorDash or Uber Eats, and base pay has declined significantly in recent years. The flexibility is a genuine benefit, but drivers who multi-app tend to use Skip as a secondary platform rather than their primary earner.

For anyone in Edmonton considering a delivery gig, the pattern is clear: Skip offers accessibility and flexibility, but the earnings trajectory has headed downward. Those with low vehicle costs and a taste for peak-hour strategy might squeeze out $18-20/hour with tips included. Everyone else — especially drivers factoring in gas, insurance, and wear — may find the math doesn’t work in their favor. If you’re exploring this as a side hustle, start with a two-week trial, track your net hourly earnings honestly, and compare them directly against what Uber Eats or DoorDash offer in the same city. That’s the only way to know if Skip works for your specific situation.