The upward trajectory seen in earnings of workers at dark stores as also delivery partners of quick commerce players in 2023-24, is expected to continue in the current year albeit at a moderated pace. The average earnings of dark store workers are projected to reach `20,167 a month in FY25, a growth of 9.15%, data from TeamLease Digital showed.
The earnings of delivery partners are likely to touch `26,000 a month, clocking a rise of 11.6%.Performance-based incentives can significantly boost these earnings, according to Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease. The demand for q-comm gig workers may surge by 60% in 2025, driven by dark store expansion and the entry of new players into the market, she added.
As of early 2025, the sector employs 350,000 workers, including 70,000 under-the-roof workers handling loading, picking, and packing operations, and between 250,000-300,000 delivery partners, Sharma said.The average base monthly earnings of dark store workers rose to Rs18,402 in FY24 from Rs15,000 in FY23, a 20.37% increase.
Delivery partners saw an even sharper rise of 21.8%, with base monthly earnings climbing to Rs 23,155 in FY24 from Rs 18,595 in FY23.Market leader Blinkit, which operates 1,000 dark stores, is targeting a network of 2,000 stores by December 2025.
Swiggy Instamart is targeting over 1,046 dark stores by March this year, up from around 523 in March last year. Zepto is also targeting 1,200 dark stores by March, up from 700-750 in December last year. The companies may also increase the number of mother warehouses, which are larger 8,000-10,000 sq ft facilities compared to smaller 2,500-4,000 sq ft network dark stores.
While a smaller dark store requires at least 35 workers, larger ones require more workers and delivery partners due to larger inventory management needs.Dark store workers earn additional Rs 4,000 monthly with the potential to pocket up to Rs 70,000 more annually. Delivery partners earn Rs 6,000 extra monthly, with annual additional earnings potential of Rs 90,000.
These incentives are closely tied to operational metrics such as packing and delivery time. With q-comm players ramping up their franchisee model for operating dark stores, the store wise incentives that come along with meeting packing and delivery time targets on such arrangements are also trickling down to the workers, experts suggest.
“The rapid expansion of q-comm and gig work may create an appealing alternative for young workers, especially those seeking immediate earnings without extensive educational investments,” says Sharma. “Driven by the latest technologies and evolving consumer needs, we expect the sector to be further strengthened by new offerings and market expansion in the foreseeable future,” said Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services, another staffing firm.
However, Yasin Hamidani, director of Media Care Brand Solutions, said while current incentives make it lucrative, gig workers face long-term stability and career progression challenges. Meanwhile, Milan Sharma, founder and MD of 35North Ventures, cautions that q-omm may see wages stabilise in the long run as dark store additions saturate.
Delivery partners typically work 9 hours per day, with 65% working full-day shifts plus 2 additional hours, according to TeamLease data. Motorbike users complete 2 deliveries per hour, totaling 19 deliveries daily, earning Rs 55 per delivery, including incentives, covering 4 km per delivery. Electric vehicle users also achieve 2 deliveries per hour with similar daily delivery counts, earning Rs 45 per delivery. Cyclists, completing 1.7 deliveries per hour for a total of 15 deliveries daily, earn Rs 43 per delivery.
The average time to complete one delivery is 30 minutes, including idle time for EV users and motorbike users, and 35 minutes for cyclists. Working 26 days monthly, after accounting for operational costs of Rs 2,700 for fuel and internet, motorbike delivery partners’ weekly take-home earnings are Rs 3,800. Electric vehicle users, with operational costs of Rs1,500, take home Rs 3,700 weekly, while cyclists, spending Rs 450 on operations, earn Rs 3,800 weekly.