How Much Do You Make Doing Instacart? A Beginner's Guide (2026)

If you've been thinking about signing up for Instacart but aren't sure, "How much do you make doing Instacart?", you're not alone. The gig economy feels confusing when every website throws different numbers at you.

Don't worry! This guide breaks it all down in simple terms so you can decide if Instacart is worth your time. If you ever need professional pay documentation, a paystub generator can help.

We'll cover real earnings, how you get paid, and what Instacart pay stubs look like. They may not exist the way you'd expect. We'll also show how to prove your income when a landlord or lender asks.

Key Takeaways

• Instacart shoppers typically earn $10 to $25 per hour, with the national average around $18 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter

• Instacart does not issue traditional pay stubs since most shoppers are independent contractors, not W-2 employees

• You can use your 1099-NEC form, bank statements, or a paystub generator to create proof of income for apartments and loans

• Weekly pay arrives through direct deposit, or you can cash out daily with Instant Cashout for a small fee

• Tips make up roughly 30 to 40 per cent of your total Instacart earnings

How Much Do You Make Doing Instacart?

Instacart shoppers typically earn $10 to $25 per hour. The national average is around $18 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. Your actual pay depends on location, hours, and batch selection. Tips make up roughly 30 to 40 per cent of your total income.

In real numbers, how much do you make doing Instacart part-time? Working about 15 hours a week, you could bring in $840 to $1,500 per month before expenses.

Wondering "How much can you make from Instacart full-time?" Shoppers in busy metro areas report earning close to $28,000 per year. New York City shoppers earn closer to $25 per hour. Smaller towns average $10 to $13 per hour.

What affects your pay the most? Three things, including:

• Batch pay
• Customer tips
• Batches per shift

According to Glassdoor, full-service shoppers average $15 to $16 per hour. Tips add $5 to $6 per trip on top of that.

What Types of Instacart Shoppers Are There? (And How Much Do You Make Doing Instacart in Each Role)

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Instacart has three shopper roles. Full-service shoppers shop and deliver as independent contractors. In-store shoppers are part-time employees filling pickup orders. Delivery-only drivers pick up completed orders and drop them off. Full-service shoppers have the most flexibility and earn the most through tips.

Here's what each role actually means for you:

Full-Service Shoppers

Think of this as the "Do it all" option. You pick up the order, shop for groceries, and deliver them. You're an independent contractor, so you set your own hours and choose which batches to accept. The trade-off is that you'll get no employee benefits, and you handle your own taxes.

When it comes to getting an Instacart shopper pay stub, full-service shoppers don't receive one. They aren't W-2 employees. How much do you make doing Instacart as a full-service shopper? Typically $15 to $20 per hour with tips.

In-Store Shoppers

These shoppers work inside a specific store, filling pickup orders. You're a part-time Instacart employee (up to 29 hours per week). That means you get a W-4 tax form and may qualify for benefits like a 401(k). The pay is a fixed hourly rate without tips. If you're used to a portal like the Walmart paystub portal, Instacart's system works differently. Pay details show up in the Shopper app instead.

Delivery-Only Drivers

Someone else fills the order, and you just deliver it. This role is less common, but it works well if you prefer driving to shopping.

Instacart Pay Rate and How Batch Pay Works

Batch pay is key to figuring out "How much do you make doing Instacart on any given day?" Every time you accept an order, that's called a batch. Instacart (which acts as your Instacart payroll provider) calculates your pay based on three things:

• Item count
• Driving distance
• Effort

The minimum batch pay ranges from $7 to $10 for full-service orders. Delivery-only batches start at $5. The exact amount varies by zone. Orders with lots of items or long distances pay toward the higher end. Heavy items (like cases of water or dog food over 50 pounds total) earn extra through heavy pay. That adds at least $2 more.

Here's a quick breakdown:

Pay Component	What It Means
Batch Pay (Base)	$7 to $10+, depending on order size and distance
Heavy Pay	Extra $2+ for orders with heavy items (50+ lbs total)
Customer Tips	100% goes to you; typically $5 to $6 per trip
Promotions	Bonus pay during high-demand periods

Customer tips are where the real money is. Tips make up about 34% of total earnings. So, "How much do you make doing Instacart?" really comes down to customer service. Unlike jobs where providers like ADP handle your paystub, Instacart tracks earnings through the Shopper app.

Does Instacart Pay Weekly? How You Get Your Money

Yes, Instacart pays weekly through direct deposit. The payment process runs from Wednesday to Friday. Full-service shoppers can also use Instant Cashout for a $0.50 fee per transaction. The minimum is $5 in earnings, with a $3,000 daily cap.

How you get paid matters just as much as "How much do you make doing Instacart?" After a delivery, batch pay shows up in the app within minutes. Customer tips appear about 2 hours later. For weekly direct deposit, Instacart processes on a set schedule. The money hits your bank between Wednesday and Friday.

Don't want to wait? Instant Cashout lets you transfer earnings to a debit card up to 5 times per day. You'll need at least 5 completed orders before this feature unlocks.

How To Make More Money on Instacart

The answer to "How much do you make doing Instacart?" depends on your strategy. Experienced shoppers earn $20 to $25 per hour with a few smart moves.

1. Work During Peak Hours

Sundays are the busiest day. The 3 PM to 7 PM window generates the most batches. Holidays, game days, and bad weather also drive up demand.

2. Be Strategic About Which Batches You Accept

Two main approaches work:

1. Volume Strategy: Accept lots of smaller, quick batches to keep your hourly rate up

2. Premium Strategy: Wait for larger, higher-paying batches with good tips

3. Park Near Busy Stores

The Shopper app shows demand with color-coded rings. Red or orange means high demand. Sit near a Costco on a Sunday afternoon, and batches will roll in.

4. Focus on Customer Service

Share updates about substitutions and keep frozen items cold. Better service leads to higher tips. That's where the real boost comes from.

Instacart Taxes and Expenses You Should Know About

New shoppers should note that "How much do you make doing Instacart after taxes?" looks very different from gross earnings. As a full-service shopper (independent contractor), you handle your own taxes. Nobody withholds anything from your pay. You should plan ahead.

The big numbers to know for 2026:

• Self-Employment Tax Rate: 15.3% (covers Social Security and Medicare)

• 1099-NEC Threshold: Earn $600 or more from Instacart, and they'll send you a 1099-NEC form

• Estimated Quarterly Payments: The IRS expects tax payments four times a year

• Mileage Deductions: Deduct $0.725 per mile driven for work in 2026 (up from $0.70 in 2025)

Other deductions include your phone bill (work percentage), insulated bags, and car repairs. Track your miles from day one. Your Instacart earnings statement in the Shopper app shows gross earnings. It won't include expenses, so keep your own records.

A quick tip: Set aside 25-30% of your earnings for taxes. Mileage deductions bring your actual bill down quite a bit. If you've never dealt with a W-2 before, learn what a W-2 form is. It helps to know how that differs from the 1099-NEC you'll get from Instacart.

Instacart Pay Stubs and Proof of Income

Many gig workers need formal income documents for rent, loans, or credit applications. Here's what Instacart shoppers should know.

If you're searching for Instacart pay stubs, Instacart doesn't issue traditional ones. This catches people off guard when they need proof of income for an apartment, car loan, or similar situation.

Why no Instacart pay stub waiting in a portal? Most Instacart shoppers are independent contractors, not employees. Traditional pay stubs are employer-to-employee documents. Since Instacart doesn't "employ" full-service shoppers, there are no Instacart paystubs to download like you would from a regular employer.

So, how to get pay stubs from Instacart when you actually need them? You have several options:

1. Weekly Earnings Summary: Open the Shopper app and go to your "Earnings" tab. This shows batch pay, tips, and promotions for each week

2. Annual Earnings Summary: Each year, Instacart provides a total earnings summary through the Shopper Dashboard

3. 1099-NEC Form: If you earned $600 or more, Instacart sends this tax document showing your annual income

4. Bank Statements: Bank records showing regular Instacart deposits serve as solid proof of income

5. Paystub Generator: If a landlord or lender asks for pay stubs, create professional documentation using a paystub generator. This is common for gig workers who need formatted pay records

Does Instacart have pay stubs in the traditional sense? No. But the options above give you what you need to document your Instacart proof of income. If you also work at Amazon, check out how to access your Amazon pay stub.

What Does an Instacart Earnings Statement Look Like?

Your Instacart earnings statement (in the Shopper app) shows a weekly breakdown. You'll see total batch pay, customer tips, promotional bonuses, and your weekly total. It looks like a simplified earnings report. It won't have tax withholdings or deductions like a traditional pay stub. Think of it as a receipt for your week of work.

How Does Instacart Income Verification Work?

Instacart does not provide traditional employment verification. Shoppers are independent contractors. To verify income for apartments, loans, or other needs, use your 1099-NEC, bank statements, Shopper app earnings screenshots, or an accountant's letter.

Knowing "How much do you make doing Instacart?" is one thing. Proving it is another. If a landlord asks for Instacart income verification, don't panic. This is normal for gig workers.

For apartment applications, most landlords accept bank statements with Instacart deposits plus your most recent tax return. Some ask for an accountant's letter.

You can also log in to the shoppers' Instacart income verification login portal (the Shopper Dashboard at shoppers.instacart.com) to download your earnings history.

For car loans and mortgages, lenders typically want your Instacart income statement for the past two years. Your 1099-NEC forms and bank statements usually satisfy this. Some lenders also accept your Instacart year-to-date earnings from the Shopper app.

For quick verification, services like Truework and The Work Number include gig worker data. Some lenders accept self-generated Instacart statements as supporting documents. You can also use our AI paystub generator for professional documentation.

Keep organized records all year. Save your Instacart shopper earnings statement screenshots weekly. Store tax documents as they arrive.

When a lender needs employment documentation, an accountant's letter showing your Instacart work history is a strong option. Keeping good records throughout the year makes any income verification from Instacart much simpler when you need it.

How To Become an Instacart Shopper

Now that you know "How much do you make doing Instacart?", you might be ready to sign up. Here's what you'll need:

Basic Requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old (21 for alcohol delivery)

• Able to lift 30 to 50 pounds

• Own a smartphone (Android 6.0+ or iOS 16.0+)

• Have a valid bank account for payments

For full-service shoppers, you'll also need:

• A valid driver's license

• An insured vehicle

• Insulated bags for food temperature control (Instacart sells them for $25.99, but any good bags work)

The signup process is straightforward:

1. Go to shoppers.instacart.com and create your account

2. Download the Instacart Shopper app

3. Fill out your info and submit a W-9 tax form

4. Complete the background check (about 10 business days)

5. Register your payment card (5 to 7 days to verify)

6. Set your availability and start accepting batches

The background check reviews your driving record and criminal history. Once it clears, you can see "How much do you make doing Instacart in your area?" firsthand. If you've worked retail before, Instacart may offer more flexibility than checking a former employee W-2 portal every tax season.

Glossary: Instacart Terms in Plain English

When figuring out "How much do you make doing Instacart?", you may see some unfamiliar terms. Here's what they mean:

Term	What It Actually Means
Batch	A single delivery order (can include multiple customers)
Batch Pay	The base amount Instacart pays you for completing a batch
Heavy Pay	Extra money added when an order has heavy items
Instant Cashout	A feature that lets you get paid right away instead of waiting for a weekly deposit
1099-NEC	Tax form Instacart sends if you earn $600+ per year (replaces a traditional W-2)
Full-Service Shopper	You shop and deliver. Classified as an independent contractor
In-Store Shopper	You shop only (no delivery); classified as a part-time employee
Peak Hours	High-demand times when more batches (and sometimes bonuses) are available
Side Hustle	A job you do alongside your main job for extra income

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Final Thoughts

Now you know "How much do you make doing Instacart?", how the payment system works, and what to expect. The earning potential is real. Work smart by choosing peak hours, picking strategic batches, and delivering great service. What trips up most new shoppers is documentation. When you need proof of income for rent, a loan, or credit, not having traditional pay stubs can feel stressful. But it doesn't have to be.

Ready to create your first pay stub? It's easier than you think. Get started in minutes with our simple paystub generator and have professional income documentation ready when you need it. No experience needed. It works perfectly for gig workers and independent contractors.