I'm a firefighter who turned to Uber as a temporary gig. It's been a tough way to make money

Matthew Guerrero, a 41-year-old former firefighter turned Uber driver in Southern California, has struggled to make ends meet with his temporary gig. After sustaining an injury on the job, Guerrero took up driving for Uber to support his family of three, but the job has proven to be less than profitable. Despite working 30 hours a week, Guerrero often only earns around $600, after spending a significant portion of his income on gas and taxes.

Guerrero has tried to make more money by targeting high-paying rides to and from airports, but this isn't always feasible. He prefers to work weekend nights around bars in Temecula, where the tips are better, but the job is still unsustainable in the long run. An Uber spokesperson stated that drivers in Riverside County, California make at least $20.28 per engaged hour, plus $0.37 per mile, but this doesn't account for time spent waiting for trips or other expenses.