Driving & delivery · Checked November 2026
Instacart requirements
Grocery shopping and delivery. Approval and background check usually take 1–4 days each. Instant cashout ($0.50) unlocks after 5 orders.
At a glance
Source: Shopper reports via Gridwise. Gas and wear typically cut this 25–40%.
Minimum age
18
Background check
Background check
Vehicle
Car required
Payout
Instant
Reported pay
$10–30/hr reported
Worker type
Contractor
Where delivery pay floors apply. Seattle requires delivery apps to pay at least $0.47 per minute plus $0.80 per mile, or $5.34 per offer. New York City requires $22.13 an hour before tips for restaurant and grocery delivery. California's Prop 22 guarantees 120% of minimum wage for engaged time. See the Seattle, New York City, and California guides.
Instacart questions
How old do you have to be to work for Instacart?
18.
Does Instacart require a background check?
Yes. Instacart runs a background check before you can start.
How fast does Instacart pay?
Instacart pays with an instant or same-day cashout option.
How much does Instacart pay?
$10–30/hr reported (source: Shopper reports via Gridwise). Vehicle costs like gas and wear typically cut that by 25–40%.
Do you need a car for Instacart?
Yes. Instacart requires a car.
Is Instacart a W-2 job or independent contractor work?
No. Instacart workers are independent contractors, so you cover your own expenses and set aside money for self-employment taxes.
Similar driving & delivery
DoorDash$12.43/hr avgUber Eats$18.06/hr avgUber (rides)$23.88/active hrLyft$22.45/active hrShipt$15–25/hr reportedWalmart Spark$23/hr avgAll platforms44 listed
Sources
Last checked November 2026. Requirements change often, so confirm with Instacart before you rely on them.