18 Jobs Like Instacart Shopper (Make Money Fast)

Instacart Shoppers perform on-demand grocery delivery requests that are organized by the Instacart app. These are some of the best food delivery jobs like Instacart to earn extra gig income.

There are several jobs like Instacart that are high paying. You probably had food delivered to you by Instacart, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Postmates, or food delivery apps in the past. But not all food delivery companies are created equal.

If you want to set your own schedule and be your own boss and make an extra $200 to $500 fast a week — Instacart is looking for people like you.

If you don’t want to get tied down to a desk job from 9 to 5 — then you can take a stab at other jobs like Instacart to earn money making deliveries in the gig economy.

You might have heard the phrase “gig economy” get thrown around in recent times — but what exactly is it?

Even though there isn’t a fixed definition, the gig economy can be briefly summarized as  “an economy in which temporary, flexible jobs are commonplace, and companies tend toward hiring independent contractors and freelancers instead of full-time employees.”

Even if you aren't directly familiar with the term, you know you want to make money with jobs like Instacart and I'll share 18 ways you can do just that.

10 Best Delivery App Jobs Like Instacart

If you wanted more ways to search for gig economy opportunities, here are some highly-rated delivery app jobs like Instacart:

1. Instacart

instacart

As a shopper for Instacart, you go to the grocery store like normal, except you’re getting paid to shop for others. You'll likely need a vehicle to make deliveries since groceries are heavy and can work up to 29 hours per week. We found that you can earn on average $15 per hour and must be over 18 years old or over to start shopping with Instacart.

Download:

2. DoorDash

doordash

Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, DoorDash is about connecting people with possibilities: bigger savings accounts, wider nets, stronger communities, and happier days. This gig economy app empowers local businesses and local drivers (called Dashers) with opportunities to earn, work, and live. As a Dasher, you can be your own boss and enjoy the flexibility of choosing when, where, and how much you earn. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money. It’s that simple.

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3. Amazon Flex

amazon flex

Once you’ve downloaded the app and set up your account, you can look for delivery opportunities that are convenient for you. Open the Amazon Flex app to search for available delivery blocks in your area. With every offer, you’ll see your expected earnings and how long your block is likely to take you to complete. You can also mark yourself as available in the app to qualify for instant offers. There are a lot of jobs like Amazon Flex to consider as well.

Download: Please note, the app is available for download from the Get Started page after you enter information about your delivery location

4. Postmates

postmates

Postmates is one of the most popular on-demand delivery apps in the US. Here, you can deliver anything from a cup of coffee from Starbucks to a new PS5. Postmates partners with stores all over the country to make deliveries to people's homes. Download the free Postmates Fleet app for iOS or Android and come online whenever you want to make money.

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5. Shipt

shipt

Shipt is a membership-based grocery marketplace, enabling delivery of fresh foods and household essentials. Experienced shoppers make an average of $22/hr and paychecks are delivered every week. You can also check out other jobs like Shipt to get paid to shop.

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6. Favor

At Favor, you can deliver anything. Favor runners deliver anything to customers in need: tacos, groceries, dry cleaning, you name it! They are considered personal assistants, not delivery drivers. You can receive 100% of your tip and all scheduled hours have minimum guaranteed earnings, though most runners average between $10 to $18 per hour.

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7. Bellhops

bellhops

One gig economy job for those who don't mind helping people move is becoming a mover with Bellhop. Here you can enjoy a job where you can set your own hours and feel proud about what you did with them. Make up to $21 an hour, including tips and bonuses. Get paid weekly, and earn even more for referrals.

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8. Grubhub

grubhub

With Grubhub, it’s easy to earn competitive pay, keep 100% of your tips and create your own flexible schedule delivering food. You can earn $12 per hour on average by selecting bocks to indicate when you want to work. It's easy to get started and you just have to be over 19 years old, pass a background check, and have a state ID.

Download:

9. Caviar

caviar

Caviar is a part of DoorDash. When you sign up, you’ll join the fleet of independent couriers, called Dashers. Through DoorDash, you can receive either Caviar or DoorDash delivery opportunities. DoorDash offers businesses and Dashers opportunities to earn, work, and live. As a Dasher, you’re your own boss. You choose when, where, and how much you earn.

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10. Uber Eats

uber eats delivery

You probably already know about this popular gig economy app. A lot of people compare DoorDash and Uber Eats because they're so similar. But Uber Eats is available in hundreds of cities worldwide. Now you can make money by delivering food orders that people crave using the Uber Eats app—all while exploring your city. You must meet the minimum age to drive in your city, have an eligible mode of transportation, and submit required documents, including a valid driver’s license. Drivers in the US must also pass a background screening and have at least one year of licensed driving experience.

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5 Best On-Demand Rideshare Apps

If you wanted more ways to search for gig economy opportunities, here are some highly-rated on-demand rideshare apps:

11. Hyrecar

hyrecar

Rent cars to drive with Uber, Lyft, and food/package delivery that best fit your needs. Available for daily, weekly or monthly rentals. Hyrecar provides you with the protection you need to get on the road with any rideshare service/ Meet with the car owner to get the keys and you’ll be on your way to financial freedom.

Download:

12. Lyft

Lyft is a platform that connects drivers with individuals and organizations that need rides. They know this is a challenging time, and as the COVID-19 crisis continues the well-being of Lyft drivers is the company's priority. You can visit Lyft's site to learn what steps they are taking to support drivers, and how they are finding new opportunities for them to earn while helping their communities.

Download:

13. Uber

uber

You probably already know about this popular gig economy app. Uber is available in hundreds of cities worldwide. You must meet the minimum age to drive in your city, have an eligible mode of transportation, and submit required documents, including a valid driver’s license. Drivers in the US must also pass a background screening and have at least one year of licensed driving experience. If you want to drive with Uber but need a car, you can get a car from one of Uber's vehicle partners or from a fleet partner in select markets. Please note that vehicle options may vary by city.

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14. HopSkipDrive

hopskipdrive

Becoming a CareDriver is a great way set your own hours, support our future generations, and get paid. CareDrivers earn up to $32 per hour, plus bonuses.

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15. Wingz

wingz

Wingz is a peer-to-peer marketplace that connects passengers with their personal driver. Rides are pre-scheduled, door-to-door and flat-rate. Passengers can rebook their favorite driver using the Wingz mobile app, website or toll-free number. Payments and tips are processed by credit card. Whether you want to drive full time or part time, Wingz lets you manage your schedule and accept the rides you want to provide.

Download:

3 Apps to Make Make With Your Car

You can also find ways to make money with your car besides delivering food or becoming a rideshare driver:

16. Dolly

dolly

Join Dolly and use your truck, trailer, van or just your hands to get paid working whenever you choose. You can make $30/hr or more if you have a pickup truck, cargo van, or box truck and can lift over 75 lbs. Or you simply make $15/hr or more if you own a car and can lift over 75 lbs to assist helpers.

Download:

17. Getaround

getaround

Turn your car into a second paycheck with no driving necessary. You’re paid monthly. Earn $1,000s per year actively sharing your parked car.

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18. Turo

turo

List your car for free on Turo to make money in the gig economy. Share your truck, sports car, or anything in between. Listing takes about 10 minutes and is free — no sign-up charges, no monthly fees. Lay your own ground rules and customize when your car is available. Set your own daily price, or let Turo automatically adjust your price to maximize your earnings. When a guest books your car, you’ll confirm where and how to hand over the keys before the trip. Check your guest in with the Turo app, then sit back and relax until the trip is over.

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The Gig Economy's Impact

Based on the idea of temporary jobs, as opposed to long-term positions, the gig economy has gained much traction over the years. In fact, more than one in ten employees have already joined it, according to a new survey by ReportLinker. Think about it: would you prefer working at your own time, from a location of your choice, or working for a corporation from a tiny office cubicle? Not surprisingly, most people find the first option more appealing.

There's no denying that the gig economy has heavily influenced the way traditional workplaces function. For one, due to the growing number of people appreciating the idea of “gigs”, traditional businesses seem to be losing consumers to these efficient and relatively cheaper service providers. Take Airbnb or Uber (well-known models within the gig economy) for example. Airbnb is a success story that completely defies traditional notions of the workplace.

Even individuals can learn valuable lessons from Airbnb’s business model, and incorporate the values of personalized service and intimate focus into their own freelancing models to be more successful.

Furthermore, businesses that distance themselves from technology such as the internet tend to be left behind by the benefits of the gig economy. Experts at Rutgers University advise businesses to accept and embrace the trend and its benefits, as the freelance market is predicted to rise to 40 million workers by 2019.

For these and other reasons, an increasing number of businesses have started to adapt their business models to better suit the needs of employees, allowing for remote working, flex time and more — reminiscent of the gig economy, but still centrally controlled. In fact, allowing for flexibility was named one of the top three workplace trends in 2020.

Pro Tip: Manage your gig income and run your side hustle seamlessly with NorthOne which is the #1 best bank for freelancers. Comes with no minimum balance required and you can open an account as a sole proprietor. Level up today and get one month free for opening an account in under three minutes.

Gig Economy Statistics 2022

The gig economy offers a new era in employment. Here are some gig economy statistics and trends that any gig worker should be aware of:

  • 57.3 million people freelance in the U.S. It’s estimated that by 2027 there will be 86.5 million freelancers. (Upwork)
  • 36% of U.S. workers participate in the gig economy through either their primary or secondary jobs. (Gallup)
  • For 44% of gig workers, their work in the gig economy is their primary source of income. (Edison Research)
  • For 53% of gig workers aged 18-34, their work in the gig economy is their primary source of income. (Edison Research)
  • Gig employees are more likely to be young, with 38% of 18-34-year-olds being part of the gig economy. (Edison Research)
  • 1 in 6 workers in traditional jobs would like to become a primary independent earner. (McKinsey)
  • Overall, it’s estimated that the independent workforce is larger than previously recognized: some 20 to 30 percent of the working-age population in the United States and the EU-15 countries are engaged in some form of independent earning today. (McKinsey)
  • Gig economy workers are projected to account for more than $1.4 trillion of the total US income in 2018. (PYMNTS)
  • 55% of gig workers also maintain full-time or regular jobs. (PYMNTS)
  • 19% say the main reason they have a gig job is to make extra money or cover day-to-day expenses. (PYMNTS)
  • In 2017, the total share of the labor force working in nonstandard arrangements was 10.1%, down from 10.9% in 2005. (Economic Policy Institute)
  • The largest number of gig workers (14%) find gigs in arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media followed by sales and related (10%.) (PYMNTS)
  • An additional 3% to 10% of workers in mature economies and more than 30% in some developing countries reported using gig platforms as a secondary source of income. (BCG Henderson)
  • Deloitte’s latest millennial study found that 64% of full-time workers want to do “side hustles” to make extra money. (Deloitte)
  • In 2018, the number of occasional independents jumped 16.4% to 14.9 million from 12.9 million in 2017; their ranks have risen 42% from 10.5 million in 2016. (MBO Partners)
  • 1 out of 5 full-time independents has customers outside the U.S. (MBO Partners)
  • The number of contingent employees will increase worldwide. In the US alone, contingent workers will exceed 40% of the workforce by 2020. (INTUIT)
  • About 40% of the American workforce now makes at least 40% of their income via gig work. (PYMNTS)
  • Between 2013 and 2017, earnings fell by 53% in the transportation sector and grew by 69% in the leasing sector. (JPMorgan Chase)
  • Compared with workers overall, electronically mediated workers were more likely to be in the prime-working-age category (25 to 54) and less likely to be in the oldest age category (55 and over.) (BLS)

Are Jobs Like Instacart for You?

But is the gig economy for everyone? Should you work at jobs like Instacart? More often than not, freelancers themselves are their own worst enemy. When working independently, it's easy to forget to take breaks, work irregular hours, and leave tasks until the last minute.

Freelancers are often guilty of saying yes to every gig that comes their way, resulting in an overwhelming amount of work that doesn't get completed efficiently and thoroughly. It's important for freelancers to make sure they are not susceptible to these issues,  so that they can maintain a relatively stable inflow of gigs (and, therefore, income). Freelancing comes with its own share of problems, such as overscheduling, not getting bills out on time, and filing freelancer taxes.

Some critics believe that only people with certain types of personalities are poised to succeed within this sort of working environment. In an article on Forbes, Mark Murphy claims that the three traits that are integral to success within the gig economy are enjoying risk and adventure over security, being goal driven and outcome-oriented, and being motivated by achievement — rather than power or affiliation. It's important to know oneself well enough and think about whether you would succeed as a freelancer before quitting your day job to take up various gigs.

While some people are forced into the gig economy due to loss of job or unfortunate circumstances, a large number of people choose to freelance out of their own volition.

A study by Freelancers Union and Upwork found that 60 percent of freelancers said they started freelancing by choice. And half of all freelancers say they wouldn’t stop freelancing for any amount of money. So if you think you might be cut out for it, consider taking a chance with the new jobs like Instacart and the uniquely growing gig economy — you might be pleased with what you find!

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Brian Meiggs
Brian Meiggs
Brian Meiggs is a personal finance expert, and the founder of Hustler Gigs, a personal blog helping you make extra money in the gig economy. He helps readers increase their earning potential and start building wealth for the future. He regularly writes about side hustles, gig work, and the gig economy aimed to help anyone earn more, pay off debt, and reach financial freedom. He has been quoted as a top personal finance blogger in major publications including Insider, Yahoo! Finance, NASDAQ, Discover, MSN Money and more.
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