How Much Do Mystery Shoppers Really Make? (A Realistic Look at Earnings)
How much do mystery shoppers really make? That's one of the first questions people ask when they're considering mystery shopping as a way to earn extra income.
I wish I could give you one number. Unfortunately, there isn't one.
I've completed assignments that paid extremely well for the time involved. I've also accepted jobs that required far more work than I anticipated. One of the most important lessons I've learned is that a higher payment doesn't necessarily mean a better assignment.
When I started mystery shopping, I had a full-time television job, but overtime opportunities were disappearing. Mystery shopping gave me another income source without requiring me to find a second regular job.
For most beginners, that's the best way to approach this business. Think of mystery shopping as an opportunity to earn extra money rather than replace your paycheck.
Want more help getting started? My book, Take That Job And Mystery Shop It!, walks you through finding assignments, completing shops, writing reports, and avoiding many of the mistakes new shoppers make.
How Much Do Mystery Shoppers Really Make as Beginners?
Mystery shopping income depends on the assignments you accept, where you live, and how much time you're willing to invest.
Telephone assignments may pay relatively little, but you can complete them without leaving home. Restaurant shops often reimburse meals and sometimes pay an additional fee.
Apartment and new-home assignments can pay more, but they often involve longer visits and detailed reports.
Video mystery shopping may provide additional earning opportunities. However, these assignments require specialized equipment, training, and experience.
Your location also makes a difference. Shoppers in metropolitan areas may have numerous assignments nearby, while rural shoppers may need to travel considerable distances.
The important question isn't simply how much an assignment pays. It's how much you actually earn after completing all the required work.
Calculate Your Actual Hourly Earnings
Suppose you accept a mystery shopping assignment paying $30.
Here's how your time might break down:
- Reading instructions: 30 minutes
- Driving to and from the location: 90 minutes
- Completing the assignment: 40 minutes
- Writing the report: 60 minutes
That's 3 hours and 40 minutes of work.
Your $30 assignment earned approximately $8.18 per hour before expenses and taxes.
Now consider a $20 assignment five minutes from your house. If you complete the entire job, including travel and reporting, in 45 minutes, you're earning the equivalent of $26.67 per hour before expenses and taxes.
Which assignment would you rather accept?
This is why experienced shoppers look beyond the advertised payment.
Reimbursement Isn't the Same as Income
Beginners sometimes confuse reimbursement with actual earnings.
Suppose a restaurant assignment reimburses up to $50 for dinner for two and pays an additional $10 shopper fee.
You might receive $60 altogether, but that doesn't mean you earned $60 in cash profit. Most of that money reimburses your required meal purchase.
However, reimbursement assignments can still be worthwhile.
I've accepted assignments because I wanted to try a particular restaurant or needed a service anyway. Oil changes, car washes, entertainment, and retail purchases can provide value beyond the shopper fee.
Just remember that reimbursement isn't the same as payment for your time.
Also, check the assignment instructions carefully. Some reimbursements have strict spending limits, and expenses exceeding those limits may come out of your pocket.
Experience Helps You Earn More
As you gain experience, you begin recognizing assignments that offer better value.
Schedulers appreciate dependable mystery shoppers who follow instructions, submit accurate reports, and meet deadlines.
Building that reputation may lead to additional opportunities.
Some assignments become more profitable when companies offer bonuses to fill difficult locations or meet project deadlines. Occasionally, schedulers may offer additional compensation for travel.
You can also increase your earnings by grouping assignments.
Instead of driving across town for one $20 shop, you might complete several assignments in the same area. That reduces travel time and helps you make better use of your day.
I've learned to examine the instructions carefully before accepting an assignment. How many questions must I answer? How many photographs are required? Will I need to write lengthy narratives?
I've completed assignments that looked attractive until I started preparing the report.
Those experiences taught me an important lesson: Sometimes the best way to make more money is to turn down an assignment that doesn't pay enough.
Don't Forget Your Business Expenses
When calculating how much mystery shoppers really make, remember that you're generally working as an independent contractor.
That means you're responsible for keeping track of your income and expenses and handling applicable taxes.
Vehicle expenses, tolls, parking, equipment, and other legitimate business costs can affect your earnings.
Keep accurate records and review current IRS guidelines concerning deductible expenses. Not every expense is deductible, and tax rules can change.
I recommend keeping a simple record of each assignment's payment, travel distance, time involved, and expenses.
After several assignments, you'll have a much clearer picture of which shops are profitable.
Can Mystery Shopping Become a Full-Time Job?
Some experienced shoppers make mystery shopping their full-time business. They work with multiple companies, complete numerous assignments, and sometimes travel extensively.
However, making a full-time living requires planning, dependable opportunities, and a steady flow of assignments. Work isn't guaranteed, and payment schedules vary.
I never intended to make mystery shopping my full-time occupation. I wanted extra income, and that's exactly what it provided.
If you're just starting, complete a few assignments before deciding how much work to accept.
Learn how long reports take, identify companies you enjoy working with, and develop relationships with schedulers.
You can also learn from people who have made mystery shopping their full-time business.
Watch my interview with Mystery Phil, who shares his experience working as a full-time mystery shopper.
The Bottom Line: Choose Your Assignments Carefully
So, how much do mystery shoppers really make?
There isn't a guaranteed amount. Your earnings depend on available assignments, your location, expenses, efficiency, and willingness to be selective.
You probably won't get rich completing your first few assignments. But with experience, good recordkeeping, and careful choices, mystery shopping can become a rewarding source of additional income.
Remember, the goal isn't necessarily to complete the most assignments. It's to make the best use of your time.
About the Author
I'm Mystery Don (Donald J. Servais, Jr.), and I've completed mystery shopping assignments for restaurants, hotels, apartment communities, automobile dealerships, new-home builders, and other businesses.
I created MystShopper.com to share what I've learned from my own experiences, help new shoppers avoid common mistakes, and explain how legitimate mystery shopping really works.
I'm also the author of Take That Job And Mystery Shop It!, which includes beginner-friendly advice, real-world mystery shopping experiences, and a directory of more than 150 mystery shopping companies.
Drawing on my 45-year career in television, I've also written 7 Keys to Success in a Changing Television Industry, a guide for people interested in building a career in television and video.
My goal is simple: honest guidance without the hype.
We're always looking for new faces to visit different places.
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