Data Science Team - Data Scientist Instacart Employee Review

5.0
Feb 19, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are so many data science problems here and we are just getting started. I've worked on everything from logistics to growth to shopper systems. We're addressing a six hundred billion dollar market and doing it much better than Google and Amazon. Coworkers are all smart and friendly; it's a very relaxed culture but with high standards around quality and urgency. High quality data that I almost never have to "clean". Work hours are flexible and I think the work/life balance is good by startup standards (though don't expect a 9-5).

Cons

I often work on nights and weekends, but there's a lot of flexibility around when to arrive or leave so my overall hours are pretty reasonable compared to any other professional- also I like the work so I don't mind doing a lot of it. We don't have the name-recognition of Uber or Airbnb yet. I'm getting fat on all the free food ;)

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5.0
Mar 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great gig that can be done on flexible hours.

Cons

Gas prices having been go up.

2.0
Jun 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Fun going out and talking to people. You will interact with people everyday. You control how much you get paid. Lots of flexibility in the time between accepting an order and traveling to the store and beginning to shop. It isn't pedal to the metal to get to the store like DoorDash is. You can also cancel batches after accepting as long as you keep your rate under 15%. This is different from DoorDash where your rankings will suffer if g.t. 2% cancellation rate.

Cons

There's a learning curve and it takes a while to learn each chain of stores' items. Once you become proficient at one store, the algorithm will lowball your offers relative to other less-experienced Instacart shoppers. Overall, Instacart shoppers likely get paid similar or less than the store's regular employees.

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