I tested Instacart Shopper for 6 weeks in Northern Virginia to see if it’s worth it. Spoiler: it pays better than most grocery delivery jobs, but there are some catches you need to know before signing up.
Here’s everything I learned—the good, the bad, and whether you should actually become an Instacart Shopper in 2026.
What Is Instacart Shopper?
Instacart is a grocery delivery service that lets you make money shopping for other people. Customers order groceries through the Instacart app, and you (the shopper) pick up the items from local stores and deliver them to their doorstep.
You’re essentially a personal grocery shopper—but instead of just one client, you’re shopping for anyone who places an order in your area. The app handles everything: order details, payment, navigation, and customer communication.
Founded: June 2012 (San Francisco, CA)
Available in: 5,500+ cities across the US and Canada
Customer Service: 1-888-246-7822
How Does Instacart Work?
The process is straightforward:
- Customer places order: Someone orders groceries through the Instacart app
- You accept the batch: The app sends you available “batches” (orders) with estimated earnings and item count
- Shop at the store: You go to the designated grocery store and pick out the items using the app as your shopping list
- Checkout: You pay using your Instacart shopper card (pre-loaded by Instacart)
- Deliver: You drive the groceries to the customer’s home
- Get paid: Earnings are deposited to your account weekly (or instantly for $0.99 fee)
Two Types of Instacart Shoppers
Instacart offers two different roles. I tested full-service shopping, but here’s how both work:
Full-Service Shopper (What I Did)
- You do: Shop AND deliver groceries
- Schedule: Completely flexible—work whenever you want
- Requirements: Car, valid driver’s license, insurance
- Pay: $15-22/hr average (including tips)
- Status: Independent contractor (1099)
In-Store Shopper
- You do: Shop only—no delivery
- Schedule: Set shifts (max 29 hours/week)
- Requirements: No car needed
- Pay: $11-15/hr (no tips)
- Status: Part-time employee (W2)
My take: Full-service shopping pays better ($4-6/hr more) because you get tips. But if you don’t have a reliable car, in-store shopping is a solid option.
✓ Pros
- Higher pay than most delivery jobs ($15-22/hr)
- See estimated earnings before accepting orders
- Keep 100% of tips (tips are often $5-15 per order)
- Completely flexible schedule (work whenever you want)
- Can shop at familiar grocery stores
- Weekly pay (or instant cashout for $0.99)
✗ Cons
- Heavy lifting required (groceries can be 30-50 lbs)
- Batches aren’t always available in your area
- Some customers don’t tip (rare but frustrating)
- App can be glitchy during peak hours
- Car wear and tear (gas, mileage, maintenance)
- Background check takes 2-7 days (can’t start immediately)
Better Alternatives to Instacart (That Pay More)
After testing Instacart and comparing it to other delivery gigs, I found these three pay $2-8/hr more with less physical work. If you’re considering Instacart, check these out first. For even more options, see my complete guide to 15 jobs like Instacart.
1. DoorDash – Best Alternative to Instacart
$19-27/HrDoorDash is food delivery without the shopping. Pick up prepared food from restaurants and deliver to customers. Way less physical work than Instacart (no grocery shopping or heavy lifting), and orders are faster—most take 20-30 minutes vs 45-60 for Instacart batches.
2. Uber Eats – Restaurant Delivery (No Shopping)
$18-26/HrUber Eats is similar to DoorDash—restaurant food delivery with no grocery shopping. Pick up food from restaurants, deliver to customers, keep all your tips. The instant cash-out feature means you can get paid the same day (vs waiting a week with Instacart).
3. Uber Driver – Highest Earnings Potential
$20-35/HrUber Driver (rideshare) pays significantly more than Instacart—$20-35/hr vs $15-22/hr. Drive passengers instead of delivering groceries. No shopping, no heavy lifting, just drive people where they need to go. Weekend nights and surge pricing can push earnings to $35-45/hr.
How Much Do Instacart Shoppers Actually Make?
Based on my 6-week test and data from Glassdoor, here’s the real pay breakdown:
My average: $17/hr (including tips)
Glassdoor average: $7-20/hr, with $11/hr median
High earners: $20-25/hr during peak times (weekends, evenings)
If you’re looking for consistent $20/hr earnings, check out my list of jobs that pay $20 an hour with better guaranteed rates.
Factors that affect your pay:
- Location: Urban areas = more orders, better tips
- Time of day: Weekends and evenings pay more
- Order size: Larger orders = higher base pay + bigger tips
- Speed: Faster shoppers complete more batches per hour
- Customer ratings: Higher ratings = access to better batches
Real example from my testing: On Saturday afternoon, I completed 3 batches in 4 hours and made $87 ($21.75/hr). On Wednesday morning, I did 2 batches in 3 hours for $42 ($14/hr). Timing matters a lot.
What Are Tips Like?
This is where Instacart shines. You keep 100% of customer tips, and they’re usually generous.
My tip experience (6 weeks):
- Average tip: $8 per order
- Lowest tip: $2 (small order, one bag)
- Highest tip: $22 (large order, 15 bags, second-floor apartment)
- No-tip orders: 3 out of 42 orders (7%)
Most customers tip 10-15% of their order total. Heavy orders (water cases, soda 12-packs) and difficult deliveries (stairs, apartments) often get better tips.
Pro tip: The app lets customers adjust tips after delivery. Great service = tip increases. Bad service = tip decreases. I had 4 customers increase my tip post-delivery. Want to maximize your tips? Check out my complete Instacart tipping guide to learn what customers appreciate most.
Instacart Requirements
To become an Instacart Shopper, you need:
Full-Service Shopper Requirements:
- 18+ years old
- Eligible to work in the United States
- Valid driver’s license
- Access to a reliable car
- Proof of car insurance
- Smartphone (iPhone 5+, Android 4.4+)
- Able to lift 30-40 lbs consistently
- Pass a background check
In-Store Shopper Requirements:
- 18+ years old
- Eligible to work in the United States
- Smartphone (iPhone 5+, Android 4.4+)
- Able to lift 30-40 lbs consistently
- Pass a background check
No car required for in-store shoppers! This makes it accessible if you don’t have a reliable vehicle.
How Long Does Approval Take?
The sign-up process is quick, but the background check takes time:
My timeline:
- Application: 15 minutes
- Background check: 4 days
- Total time to first batch: 4 days
Typical timelines:
- Most approvals: 2-7 business days
- Some take longer: Up to 10 days
- Denied applications: Usually due to driving record or criminal history
Once approved, you’ll get an email with instructions to download the Instacart Shopper app and activate your account. You can start shopping immediately after activation.
How Does Payment Work?
You don’t use your own money. Here’s how the payment flow works:
Shopping: Instacart sends you a shopper debit card in the mail (arrives before your first batch). This card is pre-loaded with funds for each order. You use it at checkout.
Getting paid: Your earnings (base pay + tips) are deposited into your bank account every Wednesday for work completed the previous week (Monday-Sunday).
Instant cashout: For a $0.99 fee, you can cash out anytime (minimum $5 balance). Money hits your account in minutes via direct deposit.
What you earn per batch:
- Base pay (varies by order size and complexity)
- Distance pay (longer drives = more pay)
- Heavy order pay (if items exceed weight threshold)
- Customer tips (100% goes to you)
- Peak pay bonuses (during high-demand times)
Is Instacart Worth It?
Yes, if:
- You want flexible work without a boss telling you when to work
- You don’t mind grocery shopping and heavy lifting
- You want to earn $15-22/hr including tips
- You have a reliable car and clean driving record
- You’re organized and efficient at shopping
No, if:
My Honest Verdict
After 6 weeks of testing Instacart Shopper, here’s my take: It’s worth it if you’re efficient and work during peak times.
I averaged $17/hr, which is decent for gig work. The flexibility is unmatched—I worked whenever I wanted, often just a few hours on weekday evenings and Saturday afternoons.
But it’s physically demanding. Carrying 6-8 bags of groceries up apartment stairs multiple times a day is tiring. And not all areas have consistent batch availability—some days I’d log in and see nothing for 30 minutes.
If I had to choose: I’d do DoorDash over Instacart because it pays $2-4/hr more with less physical work. But Instacart is still a solid option, especially if you’re good at grocery shopping or prefer it over restaurant pickup. Want more alternatives? See my full list of jobs like Instacart.
How to Sign Up for Instacart
Ready to become an Instacart Shopper? Here’s how:
- Visit Instacart’s website: Go to shoppers.instacart.com
- Fill out application: Basic info (name, email, phone, location)
- Choose shopper type: Full-service or in-store
- Submit documents: Driver’s license, insurance (full-service only)
- Background check: Takes 2-7 days
- Get approved: Download Instacart Shopper app
- Activate account: Complete orientation in the app
- Start shopping: Accept your first batch!
The entire process from application to first batch takes 2-7 days on average.
FAQs About Instacart Shopper
Do I need my own car?
Only for full-service shopping. In-store shoppers don’t need a car since they don’t deliver.
How much can I realistically make?
$15-22/hr is realistic, with higher earnings during weekends and evenings. My average was $17/hr over 6 weeks.
Can I work whenever I want?
Yes, full-service shoppers have complete flexibility. In-store shoppers work set shifts (max 29 hours/week).
What if an item is out of stock?
The app has a replacement system. You can choose a similar item, ask the customer via chat, or refund the item. Easy to manage.
Do I pay for the groceries myself?
No. Instacart sends you a shopper debit card that’s pre-loaded with funds for each order.
Can I do Instacart and DoorDash at the same time?
Technically yes, but not practical. Instacart orders take 45-60 minutes vs 20-30 for DoorDash. You can’t efficiently run both simultaneously. Better to choose one.
What happens if I damage someone’s groceries?
Instacart has insurance coverage for damaged items. As long as it wasn’t intentional, you’re covered. Customers can report issues and get refunds.
Bottom Line
Instacart Shopper is a legitimate way to make $15-22/hr on your own schedule. The work is straightforward—shop for groceries and deliver them—but it’s physically demanding and requires a reliable car (for full-service shoppers).
If you’re deciding between Instacart and other delivery gigs, consider this: Instacart pays well but requires more work per order (shopping + delivery). DoorDash and Uber Eats pay similar rates with less physical work. For even more options, check out my guide to jobs that pay $20 an hour.
Still interested? Apply for Instacart Shopper and see how it works in your area. Approval takes 2-7 days, so apply now even if you’re not ready to start immediately.
Looking for more ways to make money? Check out:
- 15 Jobs Like Instacart (Grocery Delivery Alternatives)
- Complete Guide to Food Delivery Jobs
- Jobs That Pay $20 an Hour (No Degree Required)
- Instacart Tipping Guide (Maximize Your Tips)
- 99+ Proven Side Hustles That Pay Real Money
- 19 Best Money Making Apps I’ve Tested
- 15 Jobs Like Shipt (Similar Grocery Gigs)
- How to Make $700 Fast in 6 Days
