Shipt Shopper

Shipt pays shoppers per order to buy groceries and household items and deliver them to members, often the same customers repeatedly. Members tip in the app, and preferred-shopper relationships mean steady work. You need a car, insurance, and to pass a background check. Peak demand is evenings, weekends, and holiday weeks.

Income assumptions: Assumes $14-26 per hour with tips at 10-20 hours a week. Higher figures assume full-time hours and a strong preferred-member base.

Estimated earnings based on available market information. Actual earnings vary by location, experience, demand, expenses, and time invested. Earnings are not guaranteed.

$0–$80 to get started. Time to first dollar is typically 1-2 weeks.

• Smartphone
• Car with trunk space
• Insulated bags
• Rolling cart
• Phone charger

Age: 18+

Geography: Requires Shipt partner stores in your metro area

1. 1Apply as a Shipt shopper and complete the interview or video step.
2. 2Pass the background check and finish onboarding training.
3. 3Get insulated bags and a rolling cart for apartment deliveries.
4. 4Claim one small order to learn the app and store flow.
5. 5Message members early about substitutions and out-of-stock items.
6. 6Deliver inside the promised window every time to build ratings.
7. 7Ask satisfied members to add you as a preferred shopper.

Sign in to save completed steps.

• Orders are claimed in the Shipt app
• Focus on stores nearest you
• Evenings and weekends
• Holiday weeks and storm prep
• Neighborhoods with many members

Order pay plus tips is the model, so prioritize members who tip well and orders with fewer heavy items. Aim for at least $15-20 per hour including tips. Preferred-shopper status is worth more than chasing every open order.

Introduce yourself in a short message, confirm substitutions with photos, and text when you are on the way. That routine wins tips and preferred-shopper requests, which is where steady pay comes from.

• Not messaging members about substitutions
• Claiming overlapping orders
• Skipping the preferred-shopper relationship
• Ignoring delivery windows
• Risk: Rating drops from wrong substitutions
• Risk: Vehicle costs
• Risk: Order volume dips outside peak seasons

Build a base of repeat members in one or two stores and fill your schedule with their recurring orders. Shoppers who want more add a second platform or move into paid personal shopping and errand services at hourly rates.

Scalability 25/100 · Passive potential 0/100 · Recurring potential 35/100

Helpful: IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center

You work as a 1099 independent contractor, so no tax is withheld. Track every mile you drive with a mileage app because the standard mileage deduction is usually the largest write-off available. Set aside roughly 25-30% of profit and pay quarterly estimated taxes to avoid a surprise bill. Phone bill, hot bags, and cleaning supplies are partly deductible when used for the work.

This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Consult a professional for your situation.

Last researched: 2026-09-01 · Data quality: sample

Stored research / estimates — live data sources are not connected yet.