@SteveSoCal wrote:

That's not necessarily industry related. I was paid as a full-time scheduler and editor in the past, and it was not related to my location. The reason why the job did not work for my was partly related to my location, and partly related to my lifestyle.

The question that that people should be asking, rather than an annual salary, is what the hourly average is for PT and FT shoppers. It's been my experience that FT shoppers earn less on average because they don't have the option to be as selective about the assignments they perform. Since I work full time outside of MSing, I can pick and choose my assignments to maximize my profit for the time I put in.

While I understand how meaningful a rate can be, how many of us track actual hours spent (whether it was commuting, site visit and report time)? I understand time spent at location will probably be something we all have, but for the majority of us to track commuting time and reporting time? I'd say that's unlikely, but rather "ballpark" rates.

If rates can help someone, I'd say my average, when accounting purely on the site visit and report time, but giving some leniency to commute (as some as "on the way" to places I'm going to regardless if I'm working or not), would be around ~$20-25 per hour AVERAGE. There are times this skyrockets due to the simplicity of the assignment, but dip below, as the focus is on offsetting my everyday expenses and how you like to say, "Enhance my lifestyle."

@bgriffin wrote:

@CaliGirl925 it absolutely is a perfect analogy. You don't find it rude that when a poster chastised me for having a problem with the question she acknowledged the fact that i asked the same question of her and she refused to answer?

Im sorry but i find it hilarious that all these people who want to know how much mystery shoppers make aren't willing to give the same information on their job. Perhaps i would like to change careers and its educational for me to know.

DISCLAIMER: My post is not directed specifically at bgriffin. I just liked his post which prompted me to write my post.

I find it hilarious that forum members take this question so seriously. This is a public forum which is frequently visited by new and returning trolls all the time. Basically we could throw out any money amount and how is one to know if that is a true and accurate number?

For example, the forum member of three years who created a recent PORSCHE thread written in ALL CAPS asking for the name of the MSC who handles that account. He claims to have misplaced his paperwork and demands that we tell him which company shops Porsche. He obviously does not keep detailed and accurate records about his own shops. Are you really going to believe someone like that if they say that they make a six figure income with MS'ing? If you do, I have some swamp land I'd like to sell you!

@Tarantado wrote:

If rates can help someone, I'd say my average, when accounting purely on the site visit and report time, but giving some leniency to commute (as some as "on the way" to places I'm going to regardless if I'm working or not), would be around ~$20-25 per hour AVERAGE."

Bingo! That's the rate that I often come up with as well when I do track my time.

As has been pointed out, most shoppers do not keep well detailed records, have an understanding of the costs of operating their car, know their tax liability or even take the time to track reimbursements that would offset normal costs to them.

Here's the reality. You should be able to make around $20-25 on average if you are good at what you do and well organized. If you try to maximize that by working 60+ hours per week there's a very good chance you will see that number go down, and if you are a selective shopper, you may be able to consistently work at above that rate.

When I was an employee shopper for a company, they had an account crunch the numbers and decide that $15 per hour was the rate for a warm-blooded shopper that could follow orders, have access to the internet and get shops completed in time, so I see that as the base rate for new shoppers. It is specifically possible to work full time and not average $15 per hour at this if you are not organized and make poor decisions, however.

That said, in a perfect scenario where a shopper can upkeep a $25 rate for 45 hours per week, never gets sick, never takes time off and works consistently throughout the year, that's just under $60k of annual income, minus the business expenses and self-employement taxes, so those that claim to making $40k are or above are kicking some ass. Those making above $30k are doing well. If you are working FT at this and making under $20k, you need to take another look at your business practices.....

That said, I was paid above $40k as an editor and scheduler, and my lifestyle was still better as a shopper, so money is not everything!

@bgriffin wrote:

@CaliGirl925 it absolutely is a perfect analogy. You don't find it rude that when a poster chastised me for having a problem with the question she acknowledged the fact that i asked the same question of her and she refused to answer?

Im sorry but i find it hilarious that all these people who want to know how much mystery shoppers make aren't willing to give the same information on their job. Perhaps i would like to change careers and its educational for me to know.

The difference, and the reason I think it's not a "perfect analogy" is that this is a Mystery Shopping forum where people trade information about Mystery Shopping. Someone asking how much Mystery Shoppers make on a Mystery Shopping forum doesn't strike me as the epic breach of etiquette that you found it to be. I doubt you seriously want to change careers to mine, because I can't recall that I've ever mentioned what I do for a living on this site. I believe that your question about how much people make at their full time jobs wasn't a sincere exploration of other opportunities that you're interested in, you were just making a point, trying to demonstrate that the OP's question was rude. If this were an industry message board about my industry and the same question was posed, I wouldn't feel it was rude, though I probably wouldn't answer it. Finally, the comment you made about jeans was just a rude statement, not in any way related to the topic: there's a difference between someone asking a question that you don't want to answer, and just saying something unkind to another person. (Also, you're delusional, my ass looks spectacular in these jeans)

I can see your point of view: as a full time shopper I'd likely be less inclined to give out my salary information than the part time shopper that I am. I can see the difference between saying, "I take in about $X per year in Mystery Shopping in addition to my full time job" vs. "I earn about $X per year in income". You'll notice that despite my being a part time shopper and the bar being lower for me, I still didn't divulge my MS earnings (though I admit that that's in part because I don't have what I'd consider to be an "average year" ).

I didn't find the OP's question rude. You did. That's fine. If, as others have suggested, the OP was just pulling our strings trying to make us dance around like monkeys, that's fine too... I still found value in this topic and thought @SteveSoCal's point about the hourly wage difference between doing this more selectively, and as a full time job was interesting. It makes sense: if I were working as a temp or contract employee at my day job, I'd likely earn more money per hour. But I traded a higher hourly rate for consistent, full time hours (and benefits).

Here is the result of the OP's original intent. Enjoy!

[search.yahoo.com]

[search.yahoo.com]

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@Tarantado wrote:

If rates can help someone, I'd say my average, when accounting purely on the site visit and report time, but giving some leniency to commute (as some as "on the way" to places I'm going to regardless if I'm working or not), would be around ~$20-25 per hour AVERAGE."

Bingo! That's the rate that I often come up with as well when I do track my time.

As has been pointed out, most shoppers do not keep well detailed records, have an understanding of the costs of operating their car, know their tax liability or even take the time to track reimbursements that would offset normal costs to them.

Here's the reality. You should be able to make around $20-25 on average if you are good at what you do and well organized. If you try to maximize that by working 60+ hours per week there's a very good chance you will see that number go down, and if you are a selective shopper, you may be able to consistently work at above that rate.

When I was an employee shopper for a company, they had an account crunch the numbers and decide that $15 per hour was the rate for a warm-blooded shopper that could follow orders, have access to the internet and get shops completed in time, so I see that as the base rate for new shoppers. It is specifically possible to work full time and not average $15 per hour at this if you are not organized and make poor decisions, however.

That said, in a perfect scenario where a shopper can upkeep a $25 rate for 45 hours per week, never gets sick, never takes time off and works consistently throughout the year, that's just under $60k of annual income, minus the business expenses and self-employement taxes, so those that claim to making $40k are or above are kicking some ass. Those making above $30k are doing well. If you are working FT at this and making under $20k, you need to take another look at your business practices.....

That said, I was paid above $40k as an editor and scheduler, and my lifestyle was still better as a shopper, so money is not everything!

Eh, when I am doing the "grind" of regular shops, I keep it at $1/minute ($60/hour). Hence, I don't think that I have done a cell phone shop since 2003 or earlier. Gas stations, mailing shops, retail, etc, I can't be bothered for less than that rate. This doesn't include fine dining, resorts, etc. Would I normally fly to New York on my own dime for a sporting event? Nope. But if they're paying me, I'm happy to work for much less than $1/minute. )))) $15/hour? I'd rather pet-sit or work retail, thank you very much.

This has turned into a significantly more interesting and informative conversation.

@SoCalMama wrote:

[when I am doing the "grind" of regular shops, I keep it at $1/minute ($60/hour).

Yes, but what do you include in that "hour". Time reporting it, time on site + reporting, travel + time on site & reporting...and what about the time spent searching for jobs and handling payments? The time spent searching airfares and making reservations? There are a lot of variables.

For most of my shops, I only take assignments for things that I would do on my own anyway, so I only count my 'working time' as the time spent writing/submitting the report. If the diner pays $15 and I can submit it in under an hour, then I'm making just above $15 per hour.

I also have a 'rate' that's related to reimbursements, however. That's $100 per hour with a max at $1,000 per day. That means If I'm spending 2 hours making a reservation and then dining out, I'd expect the shop to reimburse a minimum of $200. If I'm taking a trip where I combine a group of hotels for 8 days, I'd expect at least $8,000 in reimbursements.

@schylarsok wrote:

I think this information is incredibly helpful. It helps me gauge whether or not this type of industry works for me in the end. And I see now difference between that and looking up how much you would get paid in a specific job. I don't want to see everyone's paycheck; but I would like to know what is possible by doing mystery shopping.

I don't think anyone knows what's possible. I know how much I make. I know there are some making more. I honestly don't know what the top end.is. I think the better question for you to ask is "I need to make $200,000 a year, is this possible?". The answer to that question is probably a big fat no, but it might not be for your particular income needs.

@Tarantado wrote:

If rates can help someone, I'd say my average, when accounting purely on the site visit and report time, but giving some leniency to commute (as some as "on the way" to places I'm going to regardless if I'm working or not), would be around ~$20-25 per hour AVERAGE. There are times this skyrockets due to the simplicity of the assignment, but dip below, as the focus is on offsetting my everyday expenses and how you like to say, "Enhance my lifestyle."

Before I accept any assignment, I look at the current cost of gas (which is higher in Canada than in the U.S.,) the amount of driving involved, whether I am required to carry the cost of a purchase until I am reimbursed and whether that might involve a charge to a credit card, how long the shop should take and how difficult/easy it might be to do and then how long the report is likely to take. I then figure out the overall time involved and look again at the rate offered, remembering to deduct the cost of gas as well, to get an idea of how much $/hr. I could make. I will usually at least consider jobs that will net me at least $15/hour but I might not take them, however I will definitely grab jobs that net me more in the range of $30-50/hour.

I also make sure to ask for a bonus when the job is at a distance, or if I feel the fee offered doesn't merit the time, gas and work involved. Sometimes I get turned down, oftentimes I get it. For instance, one MSC I hadn't done any work for yet had posted 2 shops in 2 different nearby towns but the fee wasn't very high, (I believe they had offered them at $15 or $20 each.) I wrote to the scheduler and told her they are both out of town but if you give me $40/shop I will get them both done for you and provide a good report. They accepted my offer. Each shop took about half an hour and another 30-45 minutes for report time. Since I used the trip to go visit my Mom in the one town and the second shop was on the trip back home (along the highway, ) I didn't bother to count in travelling time either. So basically I made a good rate and they got very good reports.

Most jobs that are now being posted for like $10 are not even worth leaving the house for unless they are remarkably fast and easy and you will already be in the area or have a route comprising many shops. I'd say the new move to shopping apps that don't require reports to be done at home and usually only require a few questions and a few pictures (and therefore actually are a LOT less work) make the lower paying shops much more reasonable. Those I will grab and do if I'm in the area or if I have enough to make a trip out worthwhile. They also pay remarkably fast!

@Tarantado wrote:

I am curious how much you make then, bgriffin. If you want to know my full-time income and what I do for a living in exchange; OK.

I am a mechanical engineer in midstream oil & gas. I make a base salary of $77,000 per year. I mystery shop on the side. This year, I am on pace to gross a similar amount as last year (~$20,000 revenue and ~$10,000-11,000 in fees).

Happy?

I am quite impressed. Both at your willingness to give the information that you in turn ask for and your ability to create substantial income from mystery shopping only part time.

@roflwofl wrote:

Simply telling "how much do you make MSing in a month" doesn't give any real information unless other qualifiers are added:

1. How many hours a month do you work at MSing to make the $X a month?
2. How many companies are you signed up with? How many companies do you actually work with on a monthly basis?
3. How many actual assignments do you perform in a month to make $X a month?
4. What type of assignments do you do to make the money?
5. What is the specific breakdown between fees and reimbursement of the $X per month earned?
6. What is your general area of the country?
7. Are you in a rural or an urban area?
8. How far do you drive each month to make $X?
9. What is your education/experience level? Do more educated MS-ers or MS-ers with more business acumen make more per month for the hours put in than the average shopper?
.

I completely agree, and will gladly answer those questions.

1. I try to keep it at 20 days a month and typically 8-9 hours a day. Obviously that is average and my months vary wildly from 10 days to closer to 30.
2. About 150. A significant 75%(?) comes from 4-5 but I mght work for as many as 10 in a month, maybe 20 in a year.
3. Depends. I focus on 2 things, quick easy shops and incredibly well paying longer shops. This month I might do 35 shops and will book about the same amount of income as I did last month doing more than 200.
4. Ok I wont answer this one, sorry, I totally lied.
5. I do very little reimbursement shops. I would say 95/5.
6. A majority of my work happens between Florida and Texas and as far north as Kentucky, but not all. Last week I was in Pennsylvania and the week before Ohio.
7. I am rural but travel. I would guess a 50/50 mix in shop locations.
8. I claimed 45,000 business miles last year.
9. I attended college but did not graduate and I've been doing this for 3 years. I think the better question is business background rather than education. This is probably the 7th business I've started and second as primary income.

@Tarantado wrote:

I understand the argument that this industry as Independent Contractors throws in another wrench of variables. As I stated already, how can someone understand how much someone can make doing this kind of work without seeing any numbers? Sure, the numbers will vary whether some rely on this as full-time work, part-time work or less than part-time work. But it's still interesting to see some real numbers.

I'll be honest. I asked this same question when I first started. I did not understand the backlash I got at the time but I do now. Like this thread, I got no concrete numbers from successful full time shoppers. Call it confidence, call it ego, call it determination, but I figured there were other people making a living doing this so I could to, and went with that

@SteveSoCal wrote:

bgriffin could be my next door neighbor and would probably make more money that me as a shopper because I can't resist an opportunity to shop a fine dining establishment, and he's going to take a few heavily bonused smaller shops while I'm bogged down writing a report for 4 hours.....

Absolutely not. I detest LA with all the passion of 1000 newlyweds. Ok I just made that analogy up. It's not my best work. But the rest, yeah.

@CaliGirl925 wrote:

(Also, you're delusional, my ass looks spectacular in these jeans)

I have no doubt!

Perhaps there is a regional influence as well. In the south it is considered more distasteful to discuss money in general than it is in other parts of the country.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

The question that that people should be asking, rather than an annual salary, is what the hourly average is for PT and FT shoppers. It's been my experience that FT shoppers earn less on average because they don't have the option to be as selective about the assignments they perform. Since I work full time outside of MSing, I can pick and choose my assignments to maximize my profit for the time I put in.

I have to disagree. I make way more per hour doing this full time than part time because the opportunities are better if you can commit to full time work.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

That said, in a perfect scenario where a shopper can upkeep a $25 rate for 45 hours per week, never gets sick, never takes time off and works consistently throughout the year, that's just under $60k of annual income, minus the business expenses and self-employement taxes, so those that claim to making $40k are or above are kicking some ass. Those making above $30k are doing well. If you are working FT at this and making under $20k, you need to take another look at your business practices.....
!

I agree with your statement that those working full time and make $20k or less need to reevaluate their business practices.

In the US that is rude to ask how much someone makes, however, in Asia it's common practice. People will also walk into your house and ask how much you paid for this and that and the house. We also have a right to answer or not, up to what makes you feel comfortable.
I don't need to shop since our family income is solid, but I enjoy it. It doesn't hurt to have the extra benefits of free food, car washes, movies etc.
I only started back MSing last June ( after a huge break) Since June, I have registered with 98 companies but have only performed work for 33 of those and some only once or twice since they only have 1 client in my area. Between June to Dec. 31st, I completed 103 shops with fees of $1755 and bonuses of $186, reimbursement of $1634.
I take whatever is convenient for me, and only take food shops that I will actually eat at the restaurant if on my own dime. I will take the $5 movie shop b/c it pays for the movie and free popcorn. I will also, take the $5 coffee shop because it pays for the muffin or slice of banana bread and my drink and the $4 car wash shop because it pays for the car wash.

@aayaey wrote:

In the US that is rude to ask how much someone makes, however, in Asia it's common practice. People will also walk into your house and ask how much you paid for this and that and the house. We also have a right to answer or not, up to what makes you feel comfortable.

I'm an Asian-american so I was brought up in a Taiwanese household. I guess this is where my rudeness originated from. Sorry guys if I made any uncomfortable.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2016 01:52AM by DavePi.

Wow, AJwolfman. How do you do that!? I work full time at mystery shopping and I take as many jobs as possible in my area that pay anything at all. Travel time and report writing take up a big portion of my day. I spend hours each day on the computer sorting through opportunities to try to bundle a few together to cut down on travel time. The last two years my adjusted gross was approximately 11K and my reportable after deductions was about 4K. I'm starving. I take care of an ill family member so going back to my career job is not possible. I would be absolutely thrilled to make 27K per year. How much do you average per day to make that much money? I have been mystery shopping for years and cannot seem to consistently find more than 1-4 jobs per day. Even at $15-$20 a pop, that's less than $100/day - sometimes WAY less. I have days where I might only make $9 - if that. I sure could use some tips on how to make more money. I am signed up with over 150 companies. It seems like either I have already done the shops in my area and they are no longer available, or I do not meet the demographics. Very frustrating. I even do 6-7 video shops per month, and still my income is 11K. I am definitely frustrated.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@SoCalMama wrote:

when I am doing the "grind" of regular shops, I keep it at $1/minute ($60/hour).

Yes, but what do you include in that "hour". Time reporting it, time on site + reporting, travel + time on site & reporting...and what about the time spent searching for jobs and handling payments? The time spent searching airfares and making reservations? There are a lot of variables.

If it's what I refer to as "the grind", I am including prep time, reporting and travel time. $1/minute I rarely have to worry about payments. I get paid. I don't work for Hilli Dunlap LOL.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

For most of my shops, I only take assignments for things that I would do on my own anyway, so I only count my 'working time' as the time spent writing/submitting the report. If the diner pays $15 and I can submit it in under an hour, then I'm making just above $15 per hour.

Lobster & whiskey is not a "grind". The rate doesn't apply. Reasonable reimbursement + $15-$75 for the report will catch my interest and get me to apply.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

I also have a 'rate' that's related to reimbursements, however. That's $100 per hour with a max at $1,000 per day. That means If I'm spending 2 hours making a reservation and then dining out, I'd expect the shop to reimburse a minimum of $200. If I'm taking a trip where I combine a group of hotels for 8 days, I'd expect at least $8,000 in reimbursements.

Hmm. Something to think about, I suppose? If it's somewhere I want to go, I will likely do it for a reasonable fee and all expenses paid. One of my favorite hotels is usually under $300 a night. Even with a ton of booze, I rarely spend $1000 a day. It's doable though. I just did it last month and never left CA to do it. If I get a call again asking, "Do you want to go to Puerto Rico?" I'm going to say, "Yes please," and not necessarily worry about getting $1000/day in value. I'll try that formula in the future. I know that I have a few nice trips coming up this summer.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

Yes, but what do you include in that "hour". Time reporting it, time on site + reporting, travel + time on site & reporting...and what about the time spent searching for jobs and handling payments? The time spent searching airfares and making reservations? There are a lot of variables.

For most of my shops, I only take assignments for things that I would do on my own anyway, so I only count my 'working time' as the time spent writing/submitting the report. If the diner pays $15 and I can submit it in under an hour, then I'm making just above $15 per hour.

I also have a 'rate' that's related to reimbursements, however. That's $100 per hour with a max at $1,000 per day. That means If I'm spending 2 hours making a reservation and then dining out, I'd expect the shop to reimburse a minimum of $200. If I'm taking a trip where I combine a group of hotels for 8 days, I'd expect at least $8,000 in reimbursements.

If your business allows, the extra 1-10% cash back from credit cards + signup bonus minimum spending requirements for credit card churning can add on hundreds of thousands of miles and a decent "bonus" cash amount, tax-free, if done right.

Something for others to consider when using credit cards to pay for shop expenses. But that might be a topic all on its own

@Tarantado wrote:

@SteveSoCal wrote:

Yes, but what do you include in that "hour". Time reporting it, time on site + reporting, travel + time on site & reporting...and what about the time spent searching for jobs and handling payments? The time spent searching airfares and making reservations? There are a lot of variables.

For most of my shops, I only take assignments for things that I would do on my own anyway, so I only count my 'working time' as the time spent writing/submitting the report. If the diner pays $15 and I can submit it in under an hour, then I'm making just above $15 per hour.

I also have a 'rate' that's related to reimbursements, however. That's $100 per hour with a max at $1,000 per day. That means If I'm spending 2 hours making a reservation and then dining out, I'd expect the shop to reimburse a minimum of $200. If I'm taking a trip where I combine a group of hotels for 8 days, I'd expect at least $8,000 in reimbursements.

If your business allows, the extra 1-10% cash back from credit cards + signup bonus minimum spending requirements for credit card churning can add on hundreds of thousands of miles and a decent "bonus" cash amount, tax-free, if done right.

Something for others to consider when using credit cards to pay for shop expenses. But that might be a topic all on its own

Um yeah, I got $250,000 overall reimbursed for a project that I did over the course of 2 years. The Banking Security people flagged my accounts. That's some scary stuff when you hear that. I did get a crapload of miles and points though.....

I'm addicted....tell me there's help!

I've shopped every day except yesterday since the beginning of the month. Sometimes taking 2-3 jobs. I'm grouping them together, trying to work them so that they are in the same industry or close to, working my route to where I maximize my time travel, print and fill out papers as I go, and then come home and spend 2+ hours entering in the data. (Yes I am a house wife). I am very meticulous in my reporting; I don't stand behind just slinging things out.

Although, I love seeing the $$ adding up on my spreadsheet, I could not shop the rest of the month and still bring home a very generous amount including some reimbursements on items my family uses/needs already.

It feels good to be contributing to my family in such a positive way. I think that's what keeps drawing me to this. I know I won't be rich but I feel like we could live that way!

Sorry for the hijack!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/13/2016 06:10AM by schylarsok.

You're married to a house? Interesting.

@LisaSTL wrote:

You're married to a house? Interesting.

I would file for divorce asap!

I like my house, but prefer we just live together.

I'm seeing other houses too, sometimes.

We somehow managed to hijack the hijack

If I sometimes step out on my house to see a hotel for a night or two, does that make me a cheater?

I'm committed to my house, but sometimes I just want a little variety.

Wow! I didn't know that we had so many house sluts in this forum.