Shipt Shopper Application – How to Sign Up and Start Earning

How to Sign Up with Shipt

Shipt is a shop-and-deliver service — you go into stores, select the items on each customer’s order, and deliver them to their door. Sign-up is entirely online and most applicants are active within one week.

1. Go to shipt.com/become-a-shopper Enter your ZIP code to confirm Shipt is available in your area, then click “Apply now.”
2. Complete the Application Provide your name, email, phone number, date of birth, and answer a few short questions about your availability and vehicle.
3. Vehicle Check You need a reliable car with valid registration and insurance. Shipt does not accept bicycle delivery. There is no minimum vehicle year requirement.
4. Pass the Background Check Shipt runs a criminal background check through Checkr. This typically takes 3–5 business days.
5. Complete Virtual Onboarding Once approved, Shipt schedules a brief 15–20 minute virtual onboarding walkthrough covering the app, shopping guidelines, and how to communicate substitutions with customers.
6. Download the Shipt Shopper App Install the Shipt Shopper app on iOS or Android using your approved account credentials.
7. Claim Orders and Start Earning Browse available orders in the app, accept ones that fit your schedule, shop the items at the store, and deliver directly to the customer’s address.

Shipt Gig Positions and Earnings

Shipt has one core role — shopper/delivery partner — with earnings increasing as you build a base of preferred customers who request you specifically for their orders.

Shipt calculates order pay based on estimated time, item count, and delivery distance. Tips from satisfied customers are on top of order pay and deposited automatically. Building a “preferred shopper” network — repeat customers who select you — is the primary way to increase consistent income.

Shipt Sign-Up Requirements

Shipt’s requirements are straightforward: you need to be 18, have a car, and pass a background check. No prior retail or grocery experience is required.

• Minimum age: 18
• Valid driver’s license
• Reliable car with valid registration and auto insurance (no minimum year required)
• Pass Shipt’s background check via Checkr
• Smartphone (iOS or Android) for the Shipt Shopper app
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs (grocery orders can be heavy)

Shipt Background Check and Approval

Shipt conducts a background check through Checkr for all applicants before activation. The check covers criminal history and is typically completed within the first week of applying.

The background check takes 3–5 business days on average. Shipt’s screening covers criminal history; certain convictions will disqualify an applicant.

Once approved, you can begin accepting orders immediately. Shipt may conduct periodic rechecks during your time on the platform.

Shipt Earnings and Compensation

Shipt’s shop-and-deliver model typically pays more per hour than standard food delivery because each order involves more time and skill. Building a preferred shopper network is the key to consistent high earnings.

How Shipt Pays Shoppers

Shipt pays per order based on a formula that accounts for estimated shopping time, number of items, and delivery distance. Earnings per order typically range from $8 to $25+. Tips are added through the app and deposited automatically — shoppers keep 100%.

Preferred Shopper Program

Customers can save you as a “preferred shopper” and request you directly for future orders. Preferred customers tend to tip more generously and create predictable, recurring income. Building a strong preferred network is the most reliable path to $22–$25/hr with Shipt.

Weekly Direct Deposit

Earnings are deposited to your bank account weekly. Shipt does not currently offer instant cashout, but deposits are reliable and on schedule.

Contractor Tax Responsibility

Shipt shoppers are 1099 independent contractors. Set aside 25–30% for self-employment and income taxes. Track all business miles — including driving to the store and delivering to the customer — for the mileage deduction.

Gig Worker Tips: Maximizing Your Shipt Income

These strategies help Shipt shoppers build a loyal customer base and maximize their per-hour earnings.

• Communicate Proactively: Text customers when you have a substitution question before checking out. This improves ratings significantly and leads to better tips and preferred requests.
• Shop Efficiently: Learn the layout of your most common stores to reduce shopping time. Faster shopping means a higher effective hourly rate.
• Build Your Preferred Network: Every positive interaction is a chance to gain a preferred customer. Over time, a strong network gives you first access to recurring orders from the same clients.
• Target Store Familiarity: As a Target subsidiary, Shipt generates high order volume from Target shoppers. Knowing Target’s store layout — especially the grocery and household sections — gives you an edge.
• Weekend Peak Volume: Weekends, especially Saturday afternoons, are the busiest periods for Shipt orders. Schedule more availability during these windows to maximize earnings.
• Mileage Tracking: All miles driven — to the store and from the store to the customer — are deductible. Use an automatic tracker to log every trip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipt

Here are the most common questions about signing up and earning with Shipt.