Types of Shoppers
Instacart offers two main types of shopper roles:
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Full-Service Shoppers: Independent contractors who shop and deliver orders to customers. They have the flexibility to choose their working hours and are paid per batch.
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In-Store Shoppers: Part-time employees who only shop for orders within the store. They do not handle deliveries and have a fixed schedule with an hourly wage.
Components of Instacart Pay
Base Pay
The foundation starts with batch pay, typically ranging from $7-$10 for a single order. Base pay is determined by several factors:
- Order size and number of items
- Item weight and size
- Distance from store to delivery location
- Complexity of orders
- Estimated time to complete
Tips
Tips are a significant portion of shopper earnings:
- 100% passed on to the shopper
- Optional for customers
- Usually suggested at 5% by default
- Modifiable up to 24 hours after delivery
Bonuses and Incentives
- Peak Boosts: Additional pay ($2 to $12 or more) during high-demand periods
- Quality Bonuses: Rewards for maintaining high customer ratings
- Referral Bonuses: Earnings for referring new shoppers
- Heavy Pay: Extra $5-$10 for orders with items over 8 pounds or exceeding 49 pounds total
- Long-Distance Bumps: Extra pay for deliveries beyond 7+ miles
Batch Types and Earnings
Single Orders
- One customer order
- One store location
- One delivery destination
Multiple Orders
- 2-3 customer orders combined
- Higher base pay
- Potential for multiple tips
- More complex shopping and delivery logistics
Maximizing Earnings
Strategic Batch Selection
- Focus on high-value orders
- Consider item count vs. payout
- Evaluate delivery distance
- Look for peak pay opportunities
Efficiency Tips
- Learn store layouts
- Use insulated bags
- Maintain high customer ratings
- Track expenses for tax purposes
Expenses to Consider
- Vehicle maintenance
- Fuel costs
- Vehicle depreciation
- Self-employment taxes
- Insurance coverage
Payment Schedule
- Standard weekly deposits
- Instant cashout available
- $0.50 fee for instant transfers
- Daily earning limits apply
Resources for Shoppers
- Instacart Shopper Sign-Up
- Instacart Shopper Help Center
- IRS Mileage Deduction Guidelines
- Instacart Shopper Hub
- Instacart Shopper Community Forums
Note: Actual earnings can vary significantly based on location, time investment, and market conditions. Shoppers should monitor their expenses and earnings to determine profitability in their specific situation.