You can make a good living as an Instacart shopper. Your work will be to shop for and deliver groceries to customers. The positions offer a lot of potentials to earn a good income.
But only if you work hard and maximize their earning potential. You can earn a reasonable wage by investing a good amount of effort, so how much do Instacart shoppers make?
Instacart shoppers’ salary (Quick Answer)
How much you get paid as an Instacart shopper depends on several factors, such as location, number of deliveries, and tips earned. However, the hourly pay for an Instacart shopper can range from $15 to $25.
As per Glassdoor, the average hourly pay for an Instacart shopper is around $13 per hour. Additionally, you may be paid according to the size and complexity of the order.
Tips from other customers can also significantly increase the amount of money you make as a shopper.
If you’re active, you can receive bonuses depending on your performance and the number of orders you deliver. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a gig that pays decently and offers some flexibility, Instacart may be worth considering.
Instacart shopper’s salaries from different states
| City | Estimated average hourly pay | City | Estimated average hourly pay |
| Houston | $35.64 | Seattle | $19.57 |
| Miami | $19.14 | Oklahoma | $14.94 |
| Tampa | $18.17 | Las Vegas | $21.83 |
| Chicago | $18.91 | Washington | $18.34 |
| New York | $20.59 | ||
| Los Angeles | $17.48 | ||
| San Francisco | $20.22 | ||
| Austin | $15.85 | ||
| Brooklyn | $18.74 | ||
| Alabama | $14.48 |
What determines the amount you earn as an Instacart shopper?
- Location
As you can see above, pay varies in different cities. Therefore, the exact amount you can make significantly differs based on the city you’re in. For example, Instacart shoppers in San Francisco earn more than those in smaller cities due to higher demand in the area.
- What time of day you work
This includes peak times. If you take advantage of rush hours and other busy periods, you can make more money as a shopper.
Others include
- The number of orders you complete
- The size and complexity of the orders
- The tips you earn from customers
- Experience.
How to maximize your Instacart shopper’s salary
If you’re looking to maximize your earnings as an Instacart shopper, staying active and taking as many orders as possible during peak times is essential.
You should also try to pick up bigger batches of orders so that you can save time and increase your earnings per hour. Also, don’t forget to take advantage of any bonus opportunities that may occasionally present themselves!
With dedication and hard work, an Instacart shopper can make upwards of $20 an hour or more! You’ll need to be efficient and provide excellent customer service.
What exactly do Instacart shoppers do?
When you become an Instacart shopper, you are an independent contractor working for Instacart, a grocery service. You are expected to pick up and deliver groceries to customers from participating grocery stores.
You are always notified when a customer orders on the Instacart app. If you’re nearby, you are always lucky to be notified first.
You go to the designated store, purchase the items per the customer’s list, and once you have collected, you deliver the groceries to the customer’s address.
You need to have your own vehicle. You’re responsible for the vehicle’s expenses, such as gas. Additionally, you’re responsible for all taxes involved.
When your customers highly rate you, you can qualify to get more orders in the future. You also get to choose the orders you would want to deliver.
You should note that as an Instacart shopper, you’re paid by the order, not by the hour.
What are the requirements for an Instacart shopper?
You must meet the following requirements to be considered an Instacart shopper.
- Age
To become an Instacart shopper, you must be at least 18 years old.
- Means of transport
You must have access to a reliable vehicle and have valid auto insurance. It’s worth noting that Instacart also offers the role of “In-Store Shopper,” which does not require a car, but it’s only for picking and packing groceries in the store, not for delivery.
- Smartphone
You need a smartphone with internet access to install the Instacart app and get notifications.
- Background check
Instacart conducts a background check on potential shoppers, which you must pass. This contributes to their customers’ safety.
Unfortunately, these requirements do not guarantee acceptance as an Instacart shopper. The company may also take into account other factors, such as location and demand for shoppers in a specific area.
Some skills you need to run a successful Instacart shopper.
Like any other profession, you also need skills to be a successful Instacart shopper. Some of the skills you may need that come in handy are
- Good communication skills
They’ll help you when interacting with customers and store staff
- Physical stamina
Groceries can be heavy and fragile, so they need good handling. Even the whole shopping process will involve a lot of walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds, which requires physical stamina. You must be physically able to perform these tasks.
- Grocery shopping experience
This comes in as an advantage, though it is not a must. When you’re an experienced shopper, you get to know your way around the grocery store.
- Navigation skills
You’ll need the ability to navigate through store aisles efficiently to find the items on customers’ lists.
- Flexibility
You become an independent contractor when you decide to become an Instacart shopper. As a result, you need to be able to work flexible hours. In addition, you need to be adaptable and flexible to changes in delivery locations and customers.
- Time management skills
You must plan your route. You must manage your time effectively to pick up and deliver groceries promptly.
- Customer service skills
Most of your time as an Instacart shopper, you will be interacting with customers, and they need to see that you care about providing excellent service. This will be advantageous as you’ll receive positive reviews, which may impact your pay increment. You must engage with the costumes in a friendly and professional manner.
- Attention to detail
Grocery shopping is not only about picking up the grocery and living. Due to the necessity of checking expiration dates, such specifics must be considered. Additionally, you must make sure to select the correct items. You also need the ability to follow instructions.
- Organization skills
You must be able to monitor multiple orders and deliveries simultaneously. Additionally, you must resolve any issues that may arise during deliveries. As a result, problem-solving skills are also required.
- Reliability and punctuality, and willingness to learn
You must be reliable and always arrive on time for your pick-ups and deliveries. You should also be open and willing to learn and follow Instacart policies and guidelines.
Read also, How much do NFL cheerleaders make?
Conclusion
You can make up to $25 an hour as an Instacart shopper but with enough experience. However, the pay is not limited and may vary depending on various factors.
They include the order size and whether or not the customer adds on. You can get lucky to receive some tips too.
However, it is essential to note that being an Instacart shopper is independent contractor work, which means you’ll be responsible for your own taxes and expenses, such as gas.