Instacart is an excellent opportunity for go-getters who do not shy away from putting effort into probably one of the simplest day-to-day chores.
Imagine being paid for shopping for other people. Sounds good right? Wondering “how do Instacart shoppers get paid”? Continue reading and you’ll find out.
Yes, getting paid for shopping for other people! That is exactly what the job description of an Instacart shopper and driver entails. Instacart remains one of the most recommended and preferred ways of making money and it is also one of the best delivery apps to work for.
Probably the best part about this job is that it is not as complex or problematic as most roles and it is quite easy to get used to the job. If you are someone who does not get bothered while shopping or actually even enjoys the experience of shopping, you are the best fit for this company.
Also, it is a major plus if you are well-versed in the best routes in your area. This is because that will not only help you make deliveries faster if you are an Instacart driver, but it also means that you will not have to spend too much on gas and will be actually able to rack up some high-earning numbers.
Instacart payments depend on a variety of factors that determine how much an Instacart shopper or Instacart driver may earn on an hourly basis. All of these factors that play into their total income will be discussed along with the best ways to optimize your income if you are looking forward to joining the Instacart team as a shopper or a driver.
How Does Instacart Work?
The first question which might have come into your mind is, how exactly does Instacart Work? Well, worry not we will explain it to you perfectly.
As we all are thoroughly aware with Netflix, Uber, and amazon we truly live in an on-demand economy. With a busy schedule, everyone wants something here and now, and many big companies around the globe have built themselves around consumer demands.
The same can be said about food shopping which is somehow being left behind when compared to e-commerce and transportation. Instacart however is trying to change that.
Instacart is a marketplace that offers customers the chance to purchase food items in their local area and get the item to be delivered to their doorstep within an hour. In Short, your weekly shop is a delivery and pickup service.
The business of Instacart now incorporates thousands of cities across North America, with hundreds of different retailers like Costco, Kroger, and seven eleven all offering their goods through this app.
With this customers can schedule delivery within an hour or later on any day of the week suited to their preferred date, time, and need. Even more than this to get unlimited free deliveries they can pay for Instacart Express an annual fee as well.
Once your required order is placed the Instacart contractors whose station is nearby the shops will fill the orders by purchasing the order and delivery to you in the given time.
You might want to read: Does Instacart Take EBT?
What is Instacart’s Basic Pay Rate?
In many states per order, Instacart base pay is around 7$. If you move from one town to another, you might find variation among the base pay but the maximum per order it can go is up to 9$.
If you are in California you might see the base pay as 10$ in a few parts. But please keep in mind these base pays are not Instacart’s base pay representative across the whole country.
The following table illustrated the average salary of personnel, store shoppers, and delivery drivers.
You might be thinking the rate might change based on the retailer shop but unfortunately, that isn’t the case, Kroger and Costco even huge stores like those have kept base pay of seven until a big item is purchased by a customer.
One thing that is amazingly common on Instacart is that usually, the 7$ order is a no-tip order which will earn no living for Instacart shopper, and even if more order is placed only a 2$ tip is given which doesn’t change the situation of the Instacart shopper.
What is Included in Basic Pay?
There are different types of batches that you can do with Instacart, the first one is what we call the delivery-only batch with the minimum payment that Instacart guarantees are 5$ per order and for a full-service batch it offers 7$ to 9$. Heavy pay may also be included in this payment.
So, in basic pay along with Instacart payment, customer tip is also included which sums up your whole earnings on a single batch.
Double and Triple Orders Vs Basic Pay
When more than one order is shopped by an Instacart shopper it is called double or Triple Orders or multiple batches. Well, it might sound cool and the idea may hit your head that it’s great but few of the shoppers are not that much excited about them.
While on contrast some might consider it a great opportunity when they get double, triple or even more batches which means they will get more money if for each order a handsome tip is paid and they can even deliver two orders in one trip which is again more beneficial then basic Pay where you only get 7 to 9$ along with a 2$ or no tip.
On What Basis Does Instacart Shopper Pay Vary?
As it is a well-known thing that Instacart shoppers shop for items from the nearby store for the customer and few of them delivery them to the customer’s doorstep within an hour, well in reality these shoppers are independent contractors.
The Instacart shopper pay varies broadly upon two categories, the first one is Full-Service Instacart shoppers and the second one is the In-store Instacart shoppers.
When the shopper fulfills two roles: shopping the item from the store and as well delivering the item straight to customers, by completing the whole Instacart order in all aspects is known as a full-service shopper and they are paid more than In-store shoppers because full-service shoppers get paid for shopping items for the customer, delivering customer item and also getting additional tips which eventually increases the pay.
While on the other hand, the In-store Instacart shoppers have only in charge of packing the package, they only perform one role where they ready the items bag according to the customer’s grocery list and keep them prepared for pickup.
SEE ALSO: How Many Stamps Do I Need?
What’s the Average Earning of an Instacart Shopper?
As we all are well aware Uber pay guarantees which proffer new drivers but unfortunately Instacart is not have the same pay guarantees as Uber. The average earning of an Instacart shopper per hour according to Glassdoor is 16$.
Majorly depending upon the size of the order and distance the Instacart shopper covers to deliver the item to the customer, the pay of Instacart shopper can vary upon the mentioned two factors.
What Does Instacart Pay for Delivery-Only Orders?
Instacart app will greatly help you with your delivery-only orders as it has simple-to-follow prompts and online training. For delivery-only orders, you only need to walk into the store, find and scan your bags, load them in your car, and make the delivery.
With Instacart you can make this process easier, quicker, and more efficient. For delivery-only orders, Instacart shoppers can get paid for delivering customer items and can also get additional tips which eventually increases the pay more.
How Much Does Instacart Pay Hourly and Weekly?
Instacart is a good source of income if you consider the flexible hours as well as the occasional generous tips that you can enjoy alongside it. Although Instacart may pay you, there are still some expenses that you may encounter while working that you need to be aware of before you make any decisions.
The payment that Instacart offers to its shoppers depends upon a number of factors that include the type of shopper, region/city, number of batches, distance, demand, and tips. You might either be working as an In-Store Instacart Shopper or a Full-Service Instacart Shopper and therefore the hourly and weekly pay provided by Instacart will vary.
Also, depending on your region/city you may earn more or less due to the demand and also due to tips that may vary from one place to another. You may also earn more if you are willing to go the extra mile and deliver heavy/bulky items as Instacart provides better pay for those.
Glassdoor reports that personal shoppers earn around $18/hour while In-Store shoppers earn around $14/hour. The best part of this is that these are before including the tips.
SEE ALSO: Where to Buy Stamps?
Full-Service Shoppers Vs In-Store Shoppers
Instacart provides an employment system that is very generous in terms of flexibility. You can decide the hours that you want to put in, the number of deliveries you want to make, and most importantly how you do it.
The flexibility that is provided to a shopper depends upon their role. And as a result, when you choose which role to apply for, you are basically deciding how you want to work at Instacart. There are two types of Instacart shoppers that have different roles, and these are:
- In-Store Instacart Shoppers
- Full-Service Instacart Shoppers
Although both of these are independent roles, they still operate via Instacart and shop/deliver customer orders. The in-Store Shopper’s role is suited more for those that are not able to or do not wish to travel to make deliveries.
They operate out of stores that are partnered with Instacart and make sure that customers’ grocery lists are ready for pick-up when they arrive. On the other hand, Full-Service Shoppers have to deliver straight to the customer’s doorsteps once an order comes in and as a result, they also earn more.
What’s a Heavy Order Pay with Instacart?
Instacart makes sure that its shoppers are well incentivized when they are working hard. They do this by providing certain bonuses or incentives that may bring an increase in the overall pay of an Instacart shopper.
Although, it is important to note that there are some terms and conditions that go along with these bonuses. These incentives require specific conditions to be fulfilled before an Instacart shopper becomes eligible for them.
One of these Instacart bonuses is the ‘Heavy Order Pay’. The Instacart heavy order pay is given to those shoppers that deliver an order which includes a heavy item. For these types of orders, Instacart automatically adds in some extra pay.
Although this pay may range from $1-$10 (usually) it completely depends on how heavy the items are and how many items you are required to deliver. It is important to note though that as mentioned above, there is a condition for an order to be eligible for heavy order pays too.
That is, it requires a single item to exceed the set weight limit, and this means that if you have multiple items that exceed the weight when combined, that order is not eligible for this incentive.
You might be interested in reading: What is Expedited Shipping?
Instacart Driver Vs Instacart Shopper – Understanding the Jobs!
As it goes for every job, it is very important to understand the responsibilities, requirements, and expectations that come with a given role. The same is the case for Instacart too as each role comes with different responsibilities.
They also come with varying incentives and pay structures. Hence, Instacart Shoppers and Instacart Drivers have to complete different tasks and are paid according to that. The Instacart Shoppers are assigned to a specific store/location that is partnered with the company.
This role does not involve any traveling and it requires the person to stay in one place. Once an order comes in, they are responsible for ensuring that the order is ready for pick-up before the customer arrives.
The shoppers are also given shifts in this case and are paid a fixed amount (other than tips). On the other hand, Instacart Drivers are responsible for picking up items from a store once an order comes in.
They then have to deliver that order to the doorstep of the customer or to another specified location. These shoppers are paid on a per-order/delivery basis (other than tips).
Instacart Driver Expenses
Self-employment jobs have always been tough since they involve some degree of self-reliance. This can be difficult for some people to manage but it is important to remain aware of any expenses you may encounter if you are looking to work as an Instacart driver.
One of the biggest expenses you may encounter is gas expenses. You have to be careful while tracking your mileage and planning your routes according to gas prices as Instacart does not provide reimbursements for it.
Also, as it is an independent contractor role, Instacart drivers have to pay self-employment tax also known as FICA tax.
Instacart Shopper Expenses
Instacart shoppers have a bit of an edge over Instacart drivers in case of expenses. This is mostly contributed to by the fact that drivers might have to travel long distances to make deliveries which may increase their gas expenses even further.
In the case of Instacart shoppers, this expense is almost none as they do not have to make any deliveries hence, they don’t have to spend any money on gas (except for the commute to and from their assigned store/location).
They are also given Instacart shopper cards, so they also don’t have to worry about paying for customer orders.
SEE ALSO: Does Walmart Sell Stamps?
About Instacart Job Opportunities and Payments
If you are satisfied with the flexibility provided by Instacart in terms of work hours and average pay, you need not worry about the job opportunities in this company. With a market opportunity of over one trillion dollars, Instacart needs all the help it can get in terms of shoppers and drivers.
Over eight percent of groceries are bought online nowadays. Instacart expects this number to grow almost 4 times to about thirty percent over the next five years. With such a growing and thriving market, there is also a need for reliable and hardworking people that can fulfill these goals.
Instacart ensures that its employees are paid on time and that they are reimbursed for any expenses that are the company’s responsibility. Also, it takes care of the taxes for its In-Store shoppers as they are like normal employees that work full-time jobs (unlike Instacart drivers who have to file for taxes themselves since they are technically self-employed).
Instacart welcomes people of all backgrounds and celebrates the unique paths and experiences that they bring with them.
Factors that Play a Part in How Much You Earn with instacart’s Algorithm
Described below are some factors that decide you are earnings with Instacart’s algorithm.
Batch Incentive
Probably the best thing about Instacart is they offer a number of incentives to their shoppers and drivers. This ensures that the most hardworking individuals are well rewarded for their efforts and that a positive work image can be promoted.
One such incentive is the batch incentive that is offered by Instacart. It works in such a way that upon fulfillment of a certain number of batches of orders, the Instacart shopper is given a bonus.
This encourages a good user experience by ensuring that Instacart shoppers will try to make deliveries and complete customer orders as soon as possible.
Current Demand
The current demand of an area may vary from region to region and from time to time. Certain localities might see a constant increase in the current demand as compared to others.
This is contributed to by multiple factors with one of the biggest being the local communities. In areas where people with higher-than-average incomes live, it is more likely that the current demand will be high as people that earn more generally do not have the time to shop for themselves.
Also, these areas usually have little competition as well which is just the icing on top of the cake.
Distance
Another factor that plays a major role in determining a shopper’s earnings is the distance that is covered when making deliveries. It is important to note that Instacart does not reimburse any amount that may be spent on gas expenses.
This is a very important point to keep in mind while making deliveries as it can be the difference between earning a hefty or a meager sum at the end of the day. Hence it is crucial to ensure planning before setting out to make deliveries.
Some routes may allow you to make deliveries faster and in turn, make more deliveries in short times.
Tips
Another factor that plays a very important part in Instacart shopper earnings is the tips they receive from the customers when they shop and deliver the requested item. This tip is fully deposited into the Instacart shopper account without any cutting.
Bonuses, Minimum Batch Payment
You might as well get direct bonuses from Instacart which will increase the payment sum for you. Besides this when Instacart shoppers complete a batch or any order, they are paid a minimum amount for every order. The minimum Instacart pays now is 7$ to 9$ after the changes in payment structures.
What are the Eligibility Criteria to Work for Instacart?
Instacart welcomes people from all backgrounds to join them in achieving their goals. They encourage equality and fairness in all aspects of the company. This is also why joining Instacart is not too complex or difficult at all.
As there are two different types of Instacart shoppers, both these different roles have varying requirements and different eligibility criteria. In-Store Shoppers have different basic and preferred requirements as compared to Full-Service Shoppers.
In-Store shoppers are required to be at least 18 years old and eligible to work in the United States. They should also be able to use decently new smartphones and also be able to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.
Full-Service shoppers are required to be at least 18 years old and eligible to work in the United States. They should also be able to use a decently new smartphone and also be able to lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation. An additional requirement is that they should have constant access to a vehicle.
How Can I Earn Maximum Being an Instacart Shopper?
There are a number of things you can do to earn more as an Instacart shopper. Following these tips will greatly increase your chances of becoming a successful Instacart shopper and you are sure to turn some heads your way.
One of the best things you can do is work in a location that has a high demand. These areas have one of the highest-paying orders due to increased demand and a lower level of competition when compared to areas with lower demand.
Try to select the best batches that are available to you. These batches usually contain about 25 to 40 items and have closer delivery locations to the store. This way you can ensure you are free for your next order sooner and also don’t spend too much on gas.
Last but not least, better customer ratings lead to better bonuses, and good customer experiences also usually result in generous tips. Making deliveries in as short a time as possible is also another way to ensure you earn more by covering more orders.
Decent Tips with Instacart – What Are They?
A decent tip is whatever is more than $0 to $4. The only time those are rewarding is if your last order is at the store and it will pay off to bring you closer to home. You generally want to look for tips above $10, ideally even more if there are more than 20 items in the order.
For an Instacart shopper receiving a decent amount of tips on their complete batch is very essential. Around half of the income of Instacart shoppers comes from these tips customer pays them as they get to keep the 100% of the tips to themselves.
So, if you receive your items perfectly and are satisfied with the good service then you should most definitely come forward and pay decent tips.
SEE ALSO: Does USPS Deliver on Saturday?
Things to Consider Before You Start as an Instacart Shopper
There is no doubt in my mind if you ask a bunch of Instacart shoppers if they make decent money so they will tell you that they make really decent income with Instacart even if you pick it as a side hustle.
If you are only available to work on the weekends you could pick up an extra three to four hundred dollars each weekend but there are some things, you have to factor in and I’m going to cover it all.
First, the must thing that must know when you are working for Instacart you have two options to make money you can be either be an in-store shopper who fulfills the orders in the store and then hands them off to an Instacart driver or you can be a full-service shopper where you do both shopping items and then delivering the groceries to the customers home. Both ways will earn a decent amount for you.
Make sure that Instacart delivers in your area after confirming that next up we will jump into the hiring process which is simple and quick as it is all done through the app. So for that, you just need to download the Instacart app and put in your information. Then next you have to confirm that you are 18+, can lift up to 40 Ibs, and are eligible to work in the U.S.
Next up you can choose between if you want to be an in-store or full-service shopper. For the further process, you must confirm that you have access to a car and have a driver’s license.
Once done Instacart will set you up with your own pre-loaded Instacart payment card now this is going to be the card that you use to purchase groceries, just sign the paperwork then it will take around 10 days for the check but usually it gets done in three days, once you get your payment card, a lanyard you can go ahead and get started with it.
How Much Does Instacart Pay? – FAQs
[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Do you make good money with Instacart?”]Yes, you can definitely make decent money with Instacart because the average earning of an Instacart shopper per hour according to Glassdoor is 16$.[/wps_faq]
[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”What is better Instacart or Door Dash?”]Door Dash is better than Instacart mainly because it issues high price incentives, and its shopper doesn’t do any shopping which is sometimes done by Instacart shopper.[/wps_faq]
[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Does Instacart pay for gas?”]Unfortunately, no, Instacart doesn’t pay Instacart shoppers for gas, parking, or even trolls.[/wps_faq]
[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Can I bring my child with me to Instacart?”]No, you can’t bring your child along with you if you are on an active batch as it is strictly against Instacart.[/wps_faq]
[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Do I have to file taxes for Instacart?”]If in a year you have earned more than 400$ then you have to file for a tax return along with paying the tax to Instacart.[/wps_faq]
Conclusion:
Instacart is a marketplace that offers customers delivery and pickup service and for the people who want to earn money and get paid for that on the same day, Instacart is the best as a side hustle. If you are only available to work on the weekends you could pick up an extra three to four hundred dollars each weekend.
The best part about this job is that it is not as complex or problematic as most roles and it is quite easy to get used to the job. If you are someone who does not get bothered while shopping or actually even enjoys the experience of shopping, you are the best fit for this company.
