On-demand grocery delivery and pick-up service, Instacart, has made shopping more convenient for customers across the United States and Canada. And while it’s a great service for customers, becoming an Instacart shopper has also become a lucrative side hustle for many. 

So, how much does Instacart pay?

Depending on which source you reference,  Instacart pays anywhere between $10 to $17 per hour, plus tips and bonuses.

According to Glassdoor.com,  Instacart in-store and personal shoppers make $13 per hour on average. Factoring in bonuses, tips, and any additional compensation, an in-store shopper can expect to take home an average salary of $28,043. The site also lists some shoppers who make up to $15 per hour. 

To determine if Instacart is a sustainable means of income for you, and to make the most money possible, there are some additional things you should know about the company’s pay structure.

Instacart pays his shoppers in batches. Batches are another way of saying a “job.” It is possible for one batch to consist of multiple orders to deliver.  Instacart looks at the number of items in a batch, the difficulty in transporting them, and the distance to calculate the amount each shopper (also sometimes called a driver) is paid.  Batches can also include batch incentives, peak boosts, and customer tips, which all contribute to the total amount paid at the end of the day.

Requirements for becoming an Instacart shopper

  1. Have consistent access to a vehicle
  2. Be eligible to work in the United States
  3. Have a smartphone, preferably newly released OS
  4. Be able to lift loads around 30 to 40 lbs. conveniently.