How Much Do Instacart Drivers Make?
Instacart is a grocery delivery platform where shoppers accept orders, shop for groceries at a store, and deliver them to customers, earning a batch payment plus tips.
Average hourly earnings
$12.21/hr
median gross hourly pay, before vehicle expenses, gas, and taxes.
Source: Gridwise Annual Gig Mobility Report (2025), 2025.
How Instacart compares
Instacart ranks #5 of 5 platforms tracked here by gross hourly earnings. That's $12.47/hour below the highest (Uber Eats at $24.68/hour), and the lowest figure of the group. Among delivery platforms specifically, the category averages $18.61/hour.
| Platform | Category | Gross $/hr |
|---|---|---|
| Uber Eats | delivery | $24.68 |
| Uber (Rideshare) | rideshare | $21.18 |
| Lyft | rideshare | $19.48 |
| DoorDash | delivery | $18.93 |
| Instacart | delivery | $12.21 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Instacart drivers actually make per hour?
$12.21/hour, median gross hourly pay, before vehicle expenses, gas, and taxes. Source: Gridwise Annual Gig Mobility Report (2025), 2025.
Does that include gas, vehicle wear, and taxes?
No -- this is gross pay before expenses. Drivers are independent contractors, responsible for their own gas, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and self-employment tax. Real take-home pay after those costs runs meaningfully lower than the gross hourly figure.
What would that be part-time or full-time?
At 20 hours/week (a common part-time gig schedule), that's roughly $12,698/year gross. At 40 hours/week, it's roughly $25,397/year gross -- scale for your actual hours. Gig hourly pay also varies a lot by time of day, city, and how many orders or rides are available when you're online.
Why do different reports show different numbers for the same platform?
Gig earnings estimates vary by methodology -- gross vs. after-expenses, whether tips are included, the time period measured, and which drivers/cities are in the sample. Always check what basis a number is reported on before comparing two platforms.
How does Instacart compare to the other platforms tracked here?
Instacart ranks #5 of 5 platforms tracked here by hourly earnings, $12.47/hour below the highest (Uber Eats at $24.68/hour). Within delivery specifically, the category averages $18.61/hour, so Instacart runs below that average.
Compare other platforms
Same category (delivery):
Other platforms: