Calculate your real earnings after expenses for Instacart, Shipt, or any grocery shopping and delivery service
Instacart batch earnings (before tips)
Total tips for the week
Shopping + driving + waiting
Total orders completed
Total miles (store + delivery)
Your car's fuel efficiency
Oil, tires, repairs (avg $0.05/mile)
Net Profit This Week
$0.00
After all expenses
True Hourly Rate
$0.00
After expenses
Profit Per Batch
$0.00
Average after costs
Total Earnings
$0.00
Batch pay + tips
Gas Cost
$0.00
Weekly fuel expense
Tax Deduction
$0.00
IRS rate: $0.67/mile
Instacart shoppers typically earn between $15-25 per hour during busy times, with experienced shoppers in high-demand areas earning more. However, after accounting for gas, vehicle maintenance, and taxes, actual take-home pay often ranges from $10-18 per hour.
Unlike simple delivery jobs, Instacart requires you to shop for items, which adds time but also provides opportunities for larger tips from satisfied customers who receive quality service.
Batch Pay: Base amount Instacart pays per order, typically $5-15 based on order size, distance, and complexity.
Tips: Customers can tip before or after delivery. Good shoppers who communicate and choose quality replacements often receive increased tips.
Peak Boosts: Extra pay during busy hours, holidays, and severe weather - can add $2-10+ per batch.
Promotions: Complete X batches for bonus pay. Check the app daily for available promotions in your area.
The key to Instacart profitability is batch selection. Calculate your "dollars per item" and "dollars per mile" before accepting. A $30 batch with 50 items and 10 miles of driving is often worse than a $20 batch with 15 items and 3 miles.
Avoid batches with no tips, excessive items, or long delivery distances. Your time is valuable - waiting for the right batch often pays better than accepting everything.
Both platforms offer grocery shopping and delivery, but with different models. Instacart lets you see batch pay upfront and choose orders. Shipt uses a schedule-based system where you claim orders in advance and pay is based on order value.
Many shoppers work both platforms to maximize earnings. Shipt members often tip better (tips can be added after delivery), while Instacart typically has more order volume in most markets.
Not all stores are created equal for Instacart shoppers. Costco batches often pay the highest due to membership requirements and heavy items, but require more physical effort. Kroger, Publix, and Safeway typically have the most consistent order volume.
Learn your preferred stores' layouts to shop faster. A shopper who knows exactly where items are located can complete batches 30-40% faster than someone wandering the aisles, dramatically increasing their hourly rate.
5-Star Rating Tips:
Shoppers below 4.7 stars may see fewer batch offers. Ratings below 4.2 can lead to deactivation.
Weekend mornings (8am-12pm) are typically the busiest times for grocery delivery. Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings also see high demand. Holidays and bad weather dramatically increase order volume and tips.
Early morning shoppers (before 9am) often get first pick of the best batches. Night owls can find good late-night orders from Costco and 24-hour stores in some markets.
Instacart typically pays more per order ($15-35) compared to DoorDash ($8-15), but orders take longer to complete since you're shopping for items. The hourly rate often ends up similar at $15-25/hour after expenses.
Many gig workers combine both: Instacart for larger orders and better tips, DoorDash for quick earnings between batches. Your best strategy depends on your market and the time of day.
This simulator provides estimates based on your inputs. Actual earnings may vary.