Have you ever wondered to yourself “how much do Instacart shoppers make”? Well, this article will answer that question and other questions related to it.
If you are looking to make some extra cash with a side hustle that is tested and proven, you can count on being an Instacart driver or shopper.
Instacart shoppers buy groceries for people who are pressed for time or want convenience. They also take it a step further by efficiently delivering the goods to the owners, fresh and right on time.
So, how much do Instacart shoppers make, you ask? Hang around and find out.
How Much Money Do Instacart Shoppers Make?
So, how much do Instacart shoppers make? It all depends on the kind of shopper in question and the circumstances.
If you are an independent full-service shopper (and you use your own car to carry out deliveries), the commissions vary.
If you are an in-store shopper, you will earn a fixed rate per hour and will be considered a part-time worker by Instacart. An in-store shopper’s working hours depends on their availability.
Keep in mind that shoppers get to keep all of the tips they personally receive. Also, cheques and direct deposits are used for weekly payments.
The following are the three major factors to put into consideration if want to determine how much an Instacart shopper makes:
- The number of orders you complete (and the type of orders)
- Hours spent working
- Location
There are no undisputable figures of how much Instacart shoppers earn. However, there are rough estimates of averages based on reviews from users of the service available online. Full-service shoppers are estimated to make just over $20, while the figure is just under $20 for in-store shoppers.
What is Instacart Shopping and How Does It Work
Instacart is a grocery delivery service that delivers tangible goods directly to the homes of customers. They team up with local stores in order to do this.
The individuals responsible for getting the shopping and delivering done are called full-service shoppers (independent contractors). In-store shoppers (part-time workers) do not carry out deliveries.
As a result of the flexibility of working hours, you can be a shopper as a side hustle while pursuing other endeavors.
Features and Benefits of Being an Instacart Shopper
- Weekly payments
- You get to work at your own time
- The app is easy to use
- The customer service support is impressive
- 100% of the tips go straight to your pocket
- Delivering groceries gets you paid
Downsides
- Timed orders often come with hassles
- Dealing with customers can be frustrating
- Expenses of driving
- The areas you can work in may be limited
- The pay can be volatile
- There is also the headache of finding free parking
How to Become an Instacart Shopper
Becoming an Instacart shopper is a walk in the park if you follow the steps.
First off, open an account on the Instacart website. You will need to enter your email, name, phone number, and other information that is needed.
In the event that you want to become a full-service shopper, a copy of your driver’s license will have to be tendered.
On the other hand, the in-store shopper aspirants will get notified of the need for a face-to-face onboarding procedure. They also get to choose when the onboarding session will happen.
After a background check Is conducted and you have been approved, you can start working.
Don’t forget to keep the following eligibility requirements in mind.
- You’ll need a smartphone
- You must be 18 years of age or above
- You also have to be eligible to work in the US or Canada
- The ability to lift anywhere between 30-40 lbs (equivalent to 12-20 kg) is necessary
- If you will be driving, your vehicle has to be in a condition good enough for working
Where Can You Work as an Instacart Shopper?
Across over 5,500 cities in Canada and the U.S., Instacart offers its services to those who need them.
Within Canada, they are particularly popular in British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland/Labrador, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
Knowing if there are Instacart shopper openings in your area is quite easy. Just enter the ZIP code of your area into the app and you’ll be informed of their availability there.
How Do Instacart Shoppers Get Paid?
Instacart use direct deposit to pay shoppers every week. It’s fast, secure, and easy. If you’re a full-service shopper and you need your money quicker, you can use their Instant Cashout feature after you’ve completed 5 batches.
So, all you have to do is cash out up to 5 times a day as often as you like (as long as you have at least $5 in earnings). You can take out up to $3,000 a day this way.
Keep in mind that full-service shoppers are considered independent contractors, so they may have to make estimated quarterly tax payments.
How Does Instacart Compare to Other Grocery Delivery Services?
There are several grocery delivery services that are worthy alternatives to Instacart in Canada. Among them are Whole Foods (which has a delivery service that can be accessed via Amazon Prime Canada), Cornershop, Costco Canada, Grocery Gateway, and a host of others.
To get a better idea of how the very best of these services compare when placed side-by-side, check out the table below:
Features | Amazon Whole Foods | Cornershop | Costco Canada | Grocery Gateway | Instacart |
Selling point | Juicy discounts and exclusive deals | Same day delivery | Bulk goods delivery | Popular in Toronto | Low delivery fees |
Price range | Varies | $6.90 – $9.90 | Varies | $9.99 - $14.95 | $3.99 |
Ordering timeline | Delivery: 1 - 7 days Pick-up: 1 - 4 days | Delivery: 45 - 90 minutes | Delivery: Same day - 10 days | Delivery: Same day - 7 days in advance | Delivery: within 2 - 5 hours and up to 5 days in advance |
Is It Safe to Be an Instacart Shopper?
Yes, it is generally safe to be an Instacart shopper. However, shoppers can still be victims of store hazards (like slipping on spilled oils or beverages) and road accidents (for full-service workers who use their cars for deliveries).
Since in-store shoppers are officially employees of Instacart, they would be eligible for compensation benefits if they sustain an injury while working. Their worker’s compensation insurance covers medical costs related to the work hazards.
Things are different for full-service shoppers, though. Because they are independent contractors, they are not covered like in-store shoppers.
However, the Instacart Shopper Perks Program included Shopper Injury Protection accident insurance in 2019. Disability payments and medical expenses are covered under this insurance plan and full-service shoppers can be eligible for $1 million if injured while working.
Is Being an Instacart Shopper Worth It?
Now that we have answered the question, “how much do Instacart shoppers make?”, it’s time to explore the worthiness of being one.
It all depends on the priority levels of your everyday endeavors and how much time you have on your hands.
Because of the flexibility of being an Instacart shopper, you can earn some extra bucks while doing other things. We recommend sorting out your priorities and finding a way you can fit being a shopper into your life without disrupting higher priority activities.
To get the best possible earnings, remember to maintain good relationships with customers and deliver goods on time. This can help to boost your earnings.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a way to make some money in your spare time, being an Instacart shopper is an option worth thinking about. But we only recommend if it can provide you with the opportunity to do things while you’re going about your day-to-day activities.
We think the platform is best when it’s used as a way to kill time or earn cash on your own schedule, but we don’t recommend treating it as a viable full-time income source.
If you’re looking for something with more stability and consistency, then you’ll want to take a look at other side hustles instead.
FAQs on How Much Do Instacart Shoppers Make
How Does Instacart Make Money?
They make money in the following ways:
- Delivery charges
- $99/year membership fee
- Payments from grocery partners
- Mark-up price (which is up to 15% higher than the in-store prices of goods)
- Advertisements
Is Instacart Good in Canada?
Yes, it generally is. Through their partnerships with many local stores, they have been able to carve out a place for themselves in the Canadian grocery delivery service market. If their customer reviews are anything to go by, they are one of the best in Canada.
What’s the Best Grocery Delivery Service in Canada?
There is no particular answer to this question. What really matters is what the best grocery delivery service is to you personally.
Choosing the best grocery delivery service in Canada really depends on a few main factors: your location, what you’re looking to buy, the prices, and what kind of money you want to spend.
If you live in a big city, you will have more options. But if you live in a small town, your options will probably be limited, so take whatever choice you have and make the best of it.
Where Can I Buy Groceries Online in Canada?
You can purchase groceries online via Amazon (Whole Foods), Cornershop, Costco (free delivery for those with Costco membership), Grocery Gateway, Instacart, Metro, PC Express, Save On Foods, Voila, and a host of others.
Make sure to confirm if these services are available where you are before you attempt to use them.
Which Grocery Delivery Service is Cheapest in Canada?
Instacart charges a $3.99 grocery delivery fee. They are the cheapest among the big grocery delivery services in Canada.
Hi, I'm Adeola Adegoke. I am a licensed Insurance Broker in Manitoba, and I hold a master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences (with a major in Financial Modeling) from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Tanzania.
Also, I have a second master's degree in Statistics from the University of Regina, and I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. in Statistics at the University of Manitoba.
The primary purpose of Money Reverie is to help everyday Canadians make better financial decisions by providing up-to-date financial news and information, reports, product reviews, and government programs.
