How Much Do Shipt Shoppers Make In 2024?

As a Shipt shopper, you can start a side hustle and earn extra cash by delivering groceries to customers while enjoying the perks of being your own boss.

Shipt is a grocery delivery service that’s been on the scene since 2014 and got a big boost when Target brought it into their family in 2017.

As an independent contractor with Shipt, you can earn some solid income by shopping and delivering groceries to customers who appreciate and accept the help.

Many Shipt shoppers find this opportunity to shop much more enjoyable and better compensated than other food delivery services.

In this blog post, we’ll break down “how much do Shipt shoppers make” and how you can get started.

Key Takeaways

Shipt is a gig app that provides flexible side hustles with higher pay and safety guidelines.
Potential earnings range from $12-$20/hr, plus commission & 100% of customer tips, and are paid through direct deposit.
Requirements include being 18+, a valid US driver’s license, car insurance, & a reliable vehicle from 1997 or after.

How Much Do Shipt Shoppers Make?

On average, Shipt shoppers earn good money, earning between $12 and $20 per hour.

Your earnings could increase depending on location, order size, and customer tips. Some efficient shoppers have reported making over $1,000 per month.

Shipt’s Earnings Standard ensures that the pay is $16+ per hour in any market, with the possibility of going over $27 per hour in certain areas.

Keep in mind that these are averages, and shopper pay can vary.

The Shipt app shows your pay, which includes Offer Pay, bonuses, and tips, so you’ll know what you get.

Another benefit of being a Shipt shopper is a free membership- so when you don’t want to shop, you can get them delivered to you!

Driver Requirements

Ready to hit the road with Shipt? Before you start your engine, let’s make sure you tick all the boxes for their driver requirements:

Be 18 or over
A valid US driver’s license
Car insurance
Reliable car, 1997 or newer- no 2-door sedans
Smartphone (with Shipt app)
Be capable of lifting 50+ lbs

Once you’ve covered these, you’re on your way to becoming a Shipt shopper. Apply and pass the background check, and you’ll be set.

Driver Expenses

When you’re thinking about becoming a Shipt shopper, remember that you will be an independent contractor and will be handling your own business-related expenses.

Whether it’s fuel for those delivery runs, maintenance for your trusty vehicle, or those occasional smartphone updates, these costs are on you.

Why does this matter? Well, these expenses directly impact your shopper pay. 

It’s crucial to factor them into your financial planning to get a realistic picture of your estimated pay before driving around.

Here are the 3 main expenses you’ll have making deliveries:

Gas

The cost of gas is unavoidable for Shipt shoppers because you’ll need to drive between stores and customers’ homes to complete their deliveries.

Rising gas prices can significantly impact earnings, as higher fuel costs ultimately reduce the money you take home.

On average, Shipt shoppers drive around 10 miles per order, but the distance can vary depending on your location and the efficiency of your vehicle.

To minimize gas expenses, you can use gas savings programs like Upside to get gas discounts and cash back on everyday purchases (free money!).

Then, maximize your earnings by efficiently managing your delivery routes and making shorter trips.

Car Maintenance

Regular car maintenance is a must for Shipt shoppers, as it ensures the safe and efficient delivery of groceries to customers. But those costs can add up over time.

Some of the most common car maintenance tasks include:

Oil changes
Tire rotations
Brake inspections
Addressing wear and tear on the vehicle

The cost of car maintenance for delivery drivers can vary depending on the type of vehicle, how often it’s used, and specific maintenance needs.

According to a study by AAA, routine maintenance and repairs for a new car can cost around $0.09 per mile.

Remember to budget for regular maintenance to keep your vehicle running smoothly and avoid unexpected expenses that will lower your shopper pay.

Taxes

Like any job, even a Shipt shopper pays taxes on their hard-earned dollars.

You’re a contract laborer, so it’s up to you to report and pay your taxes for your Shipt pay.

This is especially important if your earnings exceed $400 a year, for example, which brings self-employment tax into the picture.

Here’s the breakdown: the self-employment tax rate in the US stands at 15.3%- so save up that much of your income to set aside for taxes.

A key piece of advice: Keep detailed records of all your business expenses. And for navigating your tax obligations, consider consulting a tax professional.

But there’s some good news: you might be able to reduce your tax burden.

Deductions related to your Shipt work, like the miles you get paid to drive for deliveries, can help offset your tax liabilities.

Other Delivery Companies

Instacart

Instacart offers a flexible way for individuals to earn by shopping and delivering groceries from local stores to customers’ doorsteps.

It’s pretty straightforward – you accept customer orders, hit the aisles to shop, and then complete the delivery.

So, what’s in it for you, pay-wise? According to Indeed, Instacart shoppers can earn anywhere from about $8.00 – $22.24 an hour as a Delivery Driver.

And yearly? You might be looking at something between $15,000 and a pretty impressive $68,060.

Check out my Instacart Review to see if signing up with Instcart is worth it.

DoorDash

DoorDash lets you deliver multiple orders from dinner from local eateries to grocery runs, and customers love that about DoorDash.

Pay-wise, DoorDash‘s app also has its own style for showing your estimated pay. You earn base pay, tips, and busy-time bonuses.

Plus, DoorDash is super flexible with payouts – weekly pay, daily cash-outs, or instant no-fee deposits with perks on gas.

Check out what Dashers think in my in-depth DoorDash Review.

Postmates

Postmates is all about fitting into your life, not vice versa.

You pick when to deliver – morning, night, or just weekends. And your ride? Car, bike, scooter – you choose. It’s super flexible.

Pay-wise, you’re looking at around $14 to $25 per hour, tips included. And hey, you can earn even more during busy times thanks to blitz pricing.

While Postmates keeps the exact earnings range a bit mysterious, they promise at least $12 an hour.

FAQs

How do Shipt Shoppers get paid?

Every Friday, Shipt pays out through direct deposit, putting your hard-earned money straight into your bank account.

The Shipt pay you receive is a mix of base pay, commission, and the best part – tips.

Worried about hitting a certain amount before you get paid? No stress there. Shipt doesn’t have a minimum payout threshold.

This means shoppers can expect earnings in their bank account each week, regardless of their size.

Working with Shipt also comes with a cool perk – a free Shipt membership. Handy, right?

Who pays more: Shipt or Instacart?

Let’s chat about where you can make more money, Shipt or Instacart:

Shipt Shopper Pay 

The amount that Shipt pays is a reliable choice. You’re looking at around $16 to $22 an hour for experienced Shipt shoppers.

It’s not too shabby, especially considering it’s above the minimum wage in many areas. Plus, let’s not forget those tips – 100% yours to keep.

Glassdoor lists the average at about $13 per hour, with a little extra from tips.

Instacart Shopper Pay

Instacart has two different paid positions: full services and in-store shoppers.

Full-service shoppers who shop and deliver can bag about $15 to $20 an hour.

And for in-store shoppers, it’s typically under $15 an hour. Each batch pays $7 to $10, so if you’re fast, you could snatch $14 to $20 in an hour, not counting tips.

Bottom Line?

Here’s the thing: both these options offer the most money and beat the minimum wage, which, let’s be honest, can be a game-changer depending on where you live.

Shipt gives you that steady, above-minimum hourly rate. Instacart? It’s all about speed – the faster you are, the more you can make.

So, which one’s for you? Consistent rates with Shipt Shopper Pay or the chance to outpace with Instacart? Your call!

Final Thoughts

Being a Shipt shopper is a gig that offers both flexibility and the potential to earn some cash if you’re looking for a side hustle.

It’s a great gig economy job that fits your schedule and has clear requirements for getting started.

There is the matter of those pesky driver expenses like gas and car maintenance that can nibble at your Shipt pay.

But here’s the sweet part – you get to call the shots! You can work when it suits you, whether a little or a lot. That’s what makes the Shipt app so enticing for many folks.

More hours might mean more moolah. But providing top-notch service to your customers can seriously boost your income.

So, here’s the scoop: Is Shipt worth it? Yes, it’s worth trying if you want extra money on the side and a flexible hustle.