Instacart shoppers typically earn between $10 and $25 per hour depending on location, order complexity, and customer tips. Full-service shoppers can make up to $45 per hour with strong efficiency, while in-store shoppers earn a more stable hourly wage around $15 per hour.
The main problem is that for most shoppers, Instacart's base pay alone isn't high enough. Their earnings heavily depend on customer tips, which account for 30-40% of total income.
You’ll also have to take a look at batch pay, distance, order complexity, and tips. We’ll explain how much Instacart shoppers make in this guide.
How Instacart Shopper’s Pay Structure Works
How much do Instacart shoppers make starts with understanding the three main payment components which are as follows:
- Batch pay is your base earnings for shopping and delivering an order.
- Mileage pay covers your driving distance at $0.60 per mile.
- Tips come from customers and represent the full amount—shoppers keep 100% of tips.
Most shoppers find that tips make up the bulk of their actual earnings, sometimes accounting for 40% or more of a single order's total payout.
The actual batch pay (base pay without tips) ranges between $4 and $10 per order in most US markets. This base rate hasn't kept pace with inflation—in fact, Instacart reduced base pay in 2023, dropping the minimum from $7 to $4 per order. Since then, most shoppers report base pay sits around $5 to $7.50 per order depending on their region. Heavy item orders (items weighing over 8 pounds with a total batch weight of 50+ pounds) get an additional $2 in heavy pay, but this exception is relatively rare.
When you're calculating how much do Instacart shoppers make, it's crucial to separate the math. If a shopper completes an order in 30 minutes and earns $8 in base pay plus $12 in tips, their hourly rate looks like $40. However, that same shopper might take 90 minutes on another order and earn $6 in base pay plus $3 in tips—resulting in only $6 per hour. Efficiency and tip size vary dramatically based on order complexity and customer generosity.
Full-Service Shoppers vs. In-Store Shoppers: Earnings Differences
Instacart offers two distinct roles, and how much do instacart shoppers make differs significantly between them:
How Much Full-Service Shoppers Make?
Full-service shoppers are independent contractors who shop and deliver orders to customer homes. They control their schedule, choose which orders to accept, and have unlimited earning potential. In-store shoppers are part-time employees who assemble orders for in-store customer pickup. They earn hourly wages, work assigned shifts, and can work a maximum of 29 hours per week.
Full-service shoppers earn between $10 to $25 per hour on average, with top performers reaching $30 to $45 per hour. Most full-service shoppers work between 20 and 40 hours per week and can make $400 to $1,000 weekly depending on how many orders they complete and the quality of tips they receive. The income is highly variable—a busy Sunday might yield $150 in a 4-hour shift, while a slow Tuesday might bring only $40 in the same timeframe.
How Much In-Store Shoppers Make?
In-store shoppers earn a more predictable $13 to $15 per hour according to Glassdoor data, though rates vary by location. Since they're employees (not contractors), they receive limited benefits like paid time off eligibility. However, in-store shoppers have zero expenses—no gas, vehicle maintenance, or insurance costs. At 29 hours per week (the maximum allowed), an in-store shopper earning $15 per hour would gross about $450 weekly or roughly $23,000 annually.
How much do instacart shoppers make also depends on their chosen type. Full-service shoppers have higher earning potential but shoulder all business expenses. In-store shoppers have stable, predictable income with benefits but can't scale their hours or earnings as easily.
The Role of Tips in Instacart Earnings
If you're wondering how much do instacart shoppers make, understanding tips is non-negotiable. Tips don't just supplement income—they are the income for many shoppers. Instacart shoppers keep 100% of customer tips, and this policy makes a substantial difference in real earnings.
On average, customers tip $5 to $6 per order, which represents about 30% to 40% of a shopper's total earnings per batch. Some shoppers report weeks where tips comprise up to 80% of their total income. A customer might place a $100 order, pay Instacart delivery fees, and then tip the shopper $15 to $25. Without that tip, the shopper would earn just $5 to $8 from Instacart's base pay.
Instacart shows customers a tip option at checkout with default suggestions like 5%, 10%, or 15% of the order total. However, these suggestions don't always result in adequate compensation for the shopper's effort and expenses. The grocery delivery industry has shifted into a tip-dependent model where shoppers rely on customer generosity more than on company base pay. This creates unpredictability—some days shoppers get generous tippers, other days they don't.
Work timing matters too. Shoppers report that Sunday afternoons (typically 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) bring the highest tips and order volume. Weekend work generally pays better than weekday work. Peak earning windows vary by location, and Instacart provides a "peak earning times" chart in the app so shoppers can plan when to work for maximum potential earnings.
What Else Decides How Much Do Instacart Shoppers Make?
Several factors directly influence shopper earnings, and understanding these helps explain the wide income range. They are as follows:
Order Complexity
Complex orders (larger item counts, specialty products, multiple stops) pay more base pay than simple orders. A single-item delivery might pay $4 base, while a 50-item multi-store order could pay $8 to $12. However, complexity also means more shopping time, which can reduce hourly earnings if the tip isn't proportionally large.
Delivery Distance
Instacart pays $0.60 per mile for driving distance. Orders requiring longer trips pay more in base pay. A 10-mile delivery adds $6 in mileage pay on top of the base batch pay. However, longer distances also mean higher gas costs and more time, so the net benefit depends on the total batch pay and tips.
Location and Market Demand
Shoppers in high-demand areas like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York City report higher per-order earnings than those in rural areas. Urban markets have more orders and more customers willing to tip, while rural areas sometimes struggle to even generate order volume. Some shoppers in California benefit from guaranteed earnings—California law requires Instacart to pay at least 120% of local minimum wage for active time (batch acceptance to delivery) plus $0.34 per mile.
Shopper Rating
How much do instacart shoppers make also hinges on customer ratings. Shoppers with higher ratings get priority access to better-paying orders and are less likely to be deactivated. Five-star ratings unlock access to quality orders, while lower ratings can limit order selection. Some shoppers receive small bonuses for every five-star review, further incentivizing excellent service.
Time of Day and Day of Week
Peak times pay more. Sunday afternoons, Friday evenings, and weekend mornings typically have higher batch pay because demand is higher. Instacart incentivizes working these times with peak boosts—slightly higher base pay during busy periods. Conversely, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings might have far fewer orders available.
Batch Size
Instacart frequently groups multiple customer orders into single batches. A "double" or "triple" batch pays more in total base pay but requires shopping for and delivering to two or three different customers. These batches can boost hourly earnings if completed efficiently, but they also increase shopping time and complexity.
Realistic Earnings Scenarios for Instacart Shoppers
Let's look at real-world examples of how much do instacart shoppers make in different scenarios.
Scenario 1: Part-Time Full-Service Shopper (20 hours/week)
A shopper works Sunday afternoons (4 hours), Wednesday evenings (6 hours), and Saturday morning (10 hours). They complete 12 orders total. Average batch pay is $7 per order, average tips are $4 per order. Total: (12 orders × $7) + (12 orders × $4) = $84 + $48 = $132 per week, or roughly $16.50 per hour gross. After deducting gas ($40), vehicle maintenance ($20), and taxes (roughly 25% of net), actual take-home is roughly $30 to $40 per week.
Scenario 2: Part-Time Full-Service Shopper (30 hours/week, High-Demand Area)
A shopper in San Francisco works peak times strategically: 8 hours Friday evening, 10 hours Saturday, 12 hours Sunday. They complete 18 orders. Average batch pay is $10 per order (higher market rate), average tips are $7 per order. Total: (18 orders × $10) + (18 orders × $7) = $180 + $126 = $306 per week, or roughly $20.40 per week gross. After expenses and taxes, take-home is approximately $150 to $180 per week.
Scenario 3: Full-Time In-Store Shopper (29 hours/week)
An in-store shopper works assigned shifts totaling 29 hours weekly at $14.50 per hour. Total: 29 × $14.50 = $420.50 weekly or approximately $21,900 annually. No tips earned, no variable expenses. This represents stable, predictable income.
These scenarios reveal why estimating how much do instacart shoppers make is complicated—income depends on location, work style, efficiency, and luck with customer tips.
Instacart Shopper Expenses and Net Earnings
How much do instacart shoppers make on paper differs from what they keep after expenses.
Full-service shoppers must cover:
- Gasoline (typically $30 to $60 per week depending on market size and order density)
- Vehicle maintenance and repairs (oil changes, tires, brakes)
- Vehicle insurance (higher premiums for commercial use)
- Self-employment taxes (15.3% of net earnings)
- Phone plan and data (for the app)
These costs quickly add up. A shopper earning $500 weekly might spend $100 to $150 on gas, maintenance, and taxes, reducing net income to $350 to $400. For shoppers in rural areas with longer delivery distances, expenses can be even higher.
In-store shoppers avoid these expenses entirely, making their $14 per hour net income more valuable than it appears. They also gain access to employee benefits like worker's compensation and paid time off eligibility in some regions.
How to Improve Instacart Shopper Earnings?
Shoppers who want to increase how much do instacart shoppers make employ several strategies:
Accept High-Tipping Orders Only
Successful shoppers skip any order below a certain threshold—many refuse anything under $12 to $15 total payout. This selectivity reduces order volume but boosts hourly income. High-tipping customers tend to place repeat orders, creating regular income sources.
Work Peak Hours Strategically
Working Sunday afternoons, Friday evenings, and Saturday mornings generates more order volume and higher tips. Some shoppers structure their entire week around these windows. The peak earning times chart helps shoppers identify when base pay gets boosted in their market.
Shop Familiar Stores
Knowing store layouts speeds up shopping time. A shopper who can complete a 30-item order in 20 minutes at their local Whole Foods earns much more per hour than one taking 45 minutes at an unfamiliar location. Familiarity compounds earnings over time.
Maintain a High Rating
Consistent five-star ratings unlock access to premium orders and prevent deactivation. Providing excellent service—selecting quality produce, bagging carefully, communicating with customers, and making timely deliveries—directly impacts future earnings through order availability and tips.
Combine with Other Gig Work
Many shoppers supplement Instacart with DoorDash, Uber Eats, or other delivery apps. This diversification reduces income volatility and allows flexible switching between apps based on daily demand and pay rates.
Instacart Shopper Payment Methods
Instacart offers flexible payment options. All shoppers can receive weekly direct deposits covering the previous week's earnings (deposited Wednesday through Friday). Full-service shoppers can also use Instant Cashout to transfer earnings to a debit card immediately after completing a delivery, though there's a $0.50 fee per transfer.
How Much Do Instacart Shoppers Make Based on Location?
Geography dramatically impacts shopper earnings. Markets like San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, and Los Angeles pay higher per-order rates than rural Midwest or Southern markets. West Coast shoppers report consistent $18 to $25 per hour earnings, while Midwest shoppers often see $12 to $18 per hour.
California shoppers benefit from unique guaranteed earnings. Instacart must pay at least 120% of the local minimum wage for all active time plus $0.34 per mile. Since California's minimum wage varies by county and ranges from $16 to $17+, this guarantee significantly increases pay. A California shopper working 40 hours weekly at 120% of $16 minimum wage earns at least $768 per week before tips.
Instacart vs. Other Delivery Platforms
How much do instacart shoppers make compared to Shipt? Shipt shoppers also earn $10 to $25 per hour, but Shipt offers fewer benefits and provides less order volume in many markets. DoorDash and Uber Eats focus on restaurant deliveries rather than grocery orders, making them different value propositions.
For grocery delivery specifically, Instacart remains the largest platform with the most order volume, though it doesn't always pay the highest rates per order. The advantage is consistent work availability in most markets.
Conclusion
How much instacart shoppers make varies widely based on work style, location, and market timing. Most full-service shoppers earn $15 to $25 per hour before expenses, while in-store shoppers earn stable $13 to $15 hourly wages. Tips remain the largest income driver, often exceeding base pay. Those who work peak hours, maintain high ratings, and select quality orders, usually make good money, while casual shoppers often fall short.
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