Savvy Guide For How To Become An Instacart Shopper (2023)

Ever thought about getting paid to shop for groceries? With Instacart, this idea becomes a reality.

Instacart is a cool app where people can order groceries and deliver them to their doorstep.

But who does the shopping? That’s where the Instacart Shoppers come in!

If you enjoy spending time in grocery stores and are looking for a flexible way to make extra cash, let’s talk about how to become an Instacart Shopper.

Key Takeaways

Become an Instacart Shopper and choose your own hours while making extra money.
You must meet certain requirements to become an Instacart shopper.
Instacart operates in all 50 states in large and small cities and towns.
Instacart is worth working for– you can be your own boss and make $15 as an in-store shopper.

As an Instacart Shopper, you’ll use the shopper app to:

Pick up and deliver groceries from local stores to customers’ homes
Work as a full-service shopper, shopping and delivering groceries
Work as an in-store shopper, simply picking up groceries in-store for customers

Types Of Instacart Shoppers

There are 2 types of Instacart shoppers:

Full-Service Shoppers
In-Store Shoppers

Full-Service Shoppers

As a Full-Service Shopper, you’re an independent contractor who can choose when you work and how much.

You shop for what customers need in the store, then handle the grocery delivery by driving it directly to their door.

The beauty of this grocery delivery service is the flexibility it offers. You can set your availability and work as much or as little as you desire.

In-Store Shoppers

An In-Store Shopper is an Instacart employee dedicated to working within local stores. Your primary duty is to gather the groceries and prepare them for delivery.

As a part-time employee, this role offers a chance to make extra money without the commitment of full-time hours.

You get a set schedule and a regular hourly wage for a stable income.

Shopper Requirements

Full-Service Shoppers

To become a full-service shopper, you need to meet the following basic requirements:

At least 18 years old
Eligible to work in the United States
Have a valid driver’s license and consistent access to a vehicle
Have access to and be able to use a smartphone (iPhone 6s / Android 5.0 or newer)
Be able to lift at least 50 lbs 

To get hired as an Instacart full-service shopper, you should apply for the position on their website.

After that, the team will follow up and schedule a phone interview, after which you can sign up for available shifts.

In-Store Shoppers

An In-store shopper is paired with a full-service shopper to pick and pack groceries at a partner retailer store.

To become an in-store shopper, you need to meet the following basic requirements:

Be 18 years old or older
Able to work in the US 
Have a smartphone (iPhone 6s / Android 5.0 or newer)
Lift 50 lbs without help

To start working as an in-store shopper, you must apply for the position and take an assessment.

If you pass the assessment, you’ll be contacted for an interview to become an Instacart employee.

Insurance & Background Checks

Insurance

Instacart doesn’t provide insurance for their delivery drivers, even if they’re on the clock and an accident occurs.

You must have insurance to be a delivery driver anyway, but you may want to consider a policy add-on to ensure your car is covered with delivery jobs.

Talk to your current insurance provider to see what coverage you have and what they recommend you need.

Background check

Before becoming an Instacart shopper, the company wants to ensure you’re a trustworthy and safe driver. So, they do a background check.

Instacart will ask for some information, like your name, address, and social security number, to run the background check.

The background check looks at things like your driving record and criminal history.

How To Become An Instacart Shopper

Here’s how you can become an Instacart shopper today:

1. Apply Online

The application process is simple. Head to Instacart and create a new account.

After you create an account, you’ll have to select which type of shopper you’d like to become: Full-Service or In-Store Shopper.

Once you’ve decided which type of Instacart Shopper you want to be, you’ll need to apply on the Instacart website or app.

You’ll need to complete an application with basic information about yourself, such as your name, address, and contact details.

You must also provide your social security number and consent to a background check.

Once you’ve completed the application, double-check for any typos or errors in your application. Then, submit it and wait for a response from Instacart.

2. Get Approved Or Waitlisted

After submitting your application, you can get approved within a few hours or days or be placed on a waitlist.

Instacart receives hundreds of applications daily, so that the waitlist can be lengthy.

Don’t worry; just because you’re on the waitlist doesn’t mean you won’t get approved eventually.

Keep checking your email to see if you’ve been approved or if there are any updates regarding your application.

3. Go To Orientation

If you’re approved to become an Instacart shopper, the next step is attending an in-person orientation.

During the orientation, you’ll learn about the shopping process, using the company card to pay for groceries, and tips for providing excellent customer service.

You’ll also need to complete paperwork and take a quiz to ensure you understand all the information delivered during the orientation.

Once you’ve completed the orientation, you’ll be ready to start shopping!

4. Get Working

After attending the orientation, you’ll be officially an Instacart shopper!

New shoppers can access the Instacart platform to see available orders in your area.

Shoppers receive orders through the app or website. You can choose which orders to accept and plan your shopping trip accordingly.

When you accept an order, you then head to the store to buy the requested items. Once you shop the order, checkout with your Instacart payment card.

Then, Full-Service shoppers will deliver the order to the customer, following any specific delivery instructions provided.

Instacart Pay Structure

Now that I’ve talked so much about the shoppers and how to become one, I’m sure one question is weighing on your mind- what about pay?

Here’s more information about how Instacart pays:

Full-Service Shoppers

To figure out how much a shopper gets paid, Instacart looks at a few things:

Number of items in the order
Price of the order
Delivery distance
Store location
Bathc earnings and tips

Instacart used to pay a certain amount for each item in the order, but now they use a “Batch Incentive.” This incentive is figured out based on everything we discussed earlier.

If you need your earnings right away, there’s an option for instant cashout, or you can receive your money weekly through direct deposit.

In-Store Shoppers

Your pay is pretty simple as an in-store shopper with a part-time job. On average, you’ll make around $15.53 for each hour of grocery shopping you do.

In-store shoppers are part-time employees and can work up to 29 hours every week. That’s about $450 per week in earnings.

Instacart pays you every week by direct deposit into your bank account. Just give them your bank info in the shopper app, like your routing and account numbers.

Other Delivery Side Gigs

While Instacart may be the most popular gig, it isn’t the only one offering excellent extra income opportunities, especially during peak hours.

You can deliver meals from restaurants or even use other apps to get people’s groceries.

Here are my top picks for other delivery platforms:

DoorDash

DoorDash is a food delivery service that partners with local restaurants, allowing you to deliver meals to customers within a specific driving distance.

DoorDash offers flexible hours and the potential for tips, making it an attractive option for those looking to make extra income based on their personal availability.

Postmates

Postmates is a delivery service that goes beyond just food delivery.

With Postmates, you make deliveries of food, drinks, and groceries, which means you have more work variety than other delivery services.

Working for Postmates could help you earn money, especially if you’re available during busy meal times, like breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Uber Eats

Uber Eats is similar to DoorDash, but its delivery range is much more significant, as you can make deliveries throughout your city.

Uber Eats is an excellent option for people living in larger metropolitan areas, and the rates and earnings are generally pretty decent.

Grubhub

GrubHub is one of the largest food delivery services, and they are always recruiting drivers to make deliveries.

Like DoorDash and Uber Eats, GrubHub lets you choose the hours and days you work, making it a good side hustle option.

You can make some extra money if you’re willing to work lunch or dinner hours and weekends for GrubHub. The company is available in several cities in the United States.

FAQs

Why should I work for Instacart?

Working as an Instacart shopper has many advantages:

Flexibility: As an Instacart Shopper, you enjoy great flexibility. You have the freedom to choose when you want to work.

Being Your Boss: Being your own boss is a great perk of the job- you simply check your phone for orders, fill them out as you want, and work when you want.

Competitive Pay and Tips: The pay rate at Instacart is fairly good for shopping and deliveries. Besides your regular earnings, you can earn tips from customers who appreciate your service.

Is it hard to become an Instacart shopper?

It isn’t hard to be an Instacart shopper. You need to apply for the job and meet the basic requirements:

Be at least 18
Capable of lifting 50 lbs
Able to work in the U.S. legally
Have a smartphone for the Instacart Shopper App
For Drivers: have a driver’s license and an insured, driveable vehicle

What is the difference between the different Instacart shoppers?

The Instacart grocery delivery service has two main types of shoppers:

Full-Service Shopper: These shoppers are independent contractors responsible for shopping for groceries and delivering them to customers.

In-Store Shopper: An in-store shopper is a part-time employee of Instacart who works inside grocery stores to pack customer orders without handling deliveries.

These two shopper roles cater to different preferences and offer different working arrangements and pay.

How much do Instcart shoppers get paid?

Instacart Shoppers’ pay varies based on location, hours worked, and shopper type.

Full-service shoppers earn based on factors like the number of items in an order, the distance of the delivery, and the effort involved in completing the order.

They also have the potential to earn tips from customers.

In-store shoppers earn around $15 an hour, with a maximum of 29 hours per week.

Can you switch from a full-service shopper to an in-store shopper or vice versa?

Depending on market demand and availability, switching between Full-Service Shopper and In-Store Shopper roles may be possible.

If you’re interested in making the switch, it’s a good idea to contact Instacart customer support to discuss your options and the potential impact on your earnings and schedule.

Can I work for more than one side gig app at a time?

Yes, you can work for multiple gig apps simultaneously. This can increase your earning potential and give you even more flexibility in your work schedule.

However, it’s essential to manage your time effectively and ensure you can meet each platform’s requirements and expectations.

Many food delivery platforms let you work with other apps, but juggling multiple orders in multiple apps may be difficult.

If you’re looking for other side gigs, I recommend looking for online jobs that you can do from home and around your own schedule.

Here are a few you should consider:

Blogging
Proofreading
Bookkeeping

Final Thoughts

Becoming an Instacart shopper is a great way to earn money while working on your own schedule.

It’s a great side hustle idea that can fit your lifestyle and pays decently.

Whether looking for a full-time job or just a side gig, Instacart can provide a flexible and rewarding opportunity.

By following the steps outlined above, you can become an active Instacart shopper in no time.

So why not try it and see if becoming an Instacart shopper is right for you?