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Three of the country's most expensive cities - San Francisco, New York City, and San Jose - pay Uber and Lyft drivers the most, according to a new report.
JPMorgan Chase analyzed banking records to find which cities pay gig workers who are drivers the most. The bank found that while more people are using ride-sharing apps to generate income, the average monthly pay from these apps declined by half since 2013.
The report suggests the pay, on average, is not enough for drivers working full-time: "As occasional engagement becomes more common in the transportation sector, important policy questions arise around what should be or can be done for would-be full-time drivers," the report states.
While the pay may be reasonable in some cities, Uber drivers work as independent contractors, meaning they are not salaried employees and don't get company benefits like healthcare. While Uber argues contract work allows drivers to craft their own schedule, drivers themselves say they deserve more pay and better working conditions.
"New technologies that encourage contingent or just-in-time labor lower the bargaining power of workers," the report said. "This, in turn, lowers the natural rate of unemployment and real equilibrium wages."
Here are the 15 metro areas where Uber drivers earn the most money, according to JPMorgan: