In a recent interview on the Full Disclosure YouTube channel, Loveena Kamath, a YouTuber and entrepreneur, revealed some eye-opening insights into the earnings of delivery agents in Bengaluru, compared to those of IT engineers. Kamath spoke with two delivery agents from Swiggy and Zomato, uncovering that their monthly earnings surpass those of an average IT engineer in India.
Shiva, a 22-year-old Swiggy delivery rider, reported earning between ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 a month. Despite his young age, Shiva has been working in this role for three years. His income is a combination of the base pay of ₹20 per order from Swiggy, tips amounting to around ₹5,000 monthly, and additional incentives. Over the last six months, Shiva has saved ₹2 lakh, which he plans to invest in opening a D-Mart in his village to create employment opportunities.
Taiyappa, a Zomato delivery agent, also shared his experience, confirming that he earns close to ₹40,000 a month. Both delivery agents’ earnings significantly exceed the average monthly income of ₹20,000 for IT engineers in India, as noted by Kamath.
The video sparked a lively discussion on social media. While some commenters were impressed by the earnings of the delivery agents, others highlighted the strenuous nature of their work compared to that of software engineers. One Instagram user commented, “People don’t understand the engineer may start at 25-30k but eventually he or she will see major growth in their package whereas the delivery guy won’t…so let’s not compare.”
Another user shared an anecdote about a Zomato rider who earned ₹70,000 in a month by working relentlessly, to the extent that Zomato gifted him a laptop and an electric scooter in recognition of his dedication.
Kamath’s interview sheds light on the diverse earning opportunities within India’s gig economy and prompts a conversation about the value and sustainability of such jobs compared to traditional employment in the IT sector.
