$500 Weekly as a Mystery Shopper: Earning Money While Shopping, Dining, and Observing - Side Hustle Nation

      Side Hustle Nation focuses on enhancing your personal profitability. To achieve this, we frequently collaborate with companies that have a similar mission. If you register or make a purchase via one of our partner links, we may receive compensation at no additional cost to you. Learn more.

      Getting paid to dine at restaurants, tour apartments, and wash your car multiple times in one afternoon? That's what mystery shopping is—an industry worth $2 billion that many people are unaware of.

      Mercedes Eckert has been in this field for 13 years and has assisted over 25,000 shoppers in starting their journeys through her company, iShopAGP.com. Her record is $600 earned in just one day without leaving her car. She also manages ShopQuest, a free platform where you can find mystery shopper jobs available in your area.

      Tune in to Episode 752 of the Side Hustle Show to discover:

      - How mystery shoppers get compensated

      - Ways to combine jobs to achieve a $600 day

      - Common scams to be cautious of

      Quo (formerly OpenPhone) — Try it at no cost!

      Shopify — Sign up for a trial at just $1 per month!

      Gusto — Enjoy 3 months free of the leading payroll, benefits, and HR service for modern small enterprises!

      Wealthfront — Start accruing up to 4.30% variable APY today! Terms and conditions apply.

      Monarch — Get an extended 30-day free trial!

      How Much Can You Earn as a Mystery Shopper?

      One of Mercedes’s shoppers recently completed a few apartment mystery shops and earned $850 in less than two days by posing as a potential renter and evaluating the leasing agent. According to iShop’s data, side hustlers typically make between $200 to $500 a week. Payment is per task rather than hourly. Mercedes’s highest earning in a single day was $600. One of her easiest tasks paid $300 for just half an hour of taking screenshots on her couch.

      If you're looking for hourly rates, the lower end falls around $25 to $40.

      Can This Be a Full-Time Job?

      Yes. Mercedes knows a shopper who earns over six figures a year doing this full-time. Another made just over $65,000 in 2025. However, most people integrate it into their main job, shopping after work or on off days.

      Who Employs Mystery Shoppers and Why?

      Large companies want to understand customer experiences in their stores from a genuine customer perspective. Since they can't be everywhere at once, they outsource this task.

      The feedback is utilized in various ways:

      - Updating training materials

      - Hiring additional staff

      - Sometimes, letting staff go

      Mercedes explains that the objective is typically coaching rather than termination.

      It’s important to note that brands do not directly hire you. Instead, they outsource their mystery shopping programs to independent providers, with whom you will contract. This means you won’t simply approach a Target manager and present a business card.

      How to Locate Legitimate Mystery Shopping Jobs

      There are about 100 to 150 provider companies available. You can either research them on your own or go through a mystery shopping organization that can train you and connect you with vetted partners. Once you partner with a provider, you can start accepting jobs the same day.

      Mercedes pointed out Reality Based Group as a good option to consider, although the "best" provider varies depending on your needs. Each provider has its unique clientele; one might focus on the automotive sector, including car dealerships and mechanics, while another might specialize in food-related shops—fast food, casual, and fine dining. After completing a few jobs, you'll discover which types you enjoy and which companies provide those.

      iShop, MSPA, and Their Roles

      I once registered with MSPA (Mystery Shopping Providers Association) years ago, thinking it represented an industry certification. Mercedes clarified that iShop essentially performs the same functions as MSPA but is a more recent organization.

      Neither is a provider; both serve as recruiters and trainers. They offer you a base of operations, provide training, and connect you with credible companies. Most mystery shoppers are affiliated with either organization.

      Avoid Signing Up with Numerous Companies at Once

      New shoppers often want to explore every available shop. Mercedes advises against this. Start with a few, learn the process, and then expand. Registering with 150 providers simultaneously is akin to signing up for DoorDash multiple times—it will only overwhelm you.

      Skip the Apps, Go Directly to the Websites

      Mercedes recommends that new shoppers avoid apps. While there are a few mystery shopping apps, they serve as third parties rather than actual providers. Instead, visit each provider's website. An app won’t show you everything that is available, and the listings it does present usually involve lower-paying jobs.

      What Is Route Shopping?

      Route shopping is how shoppers maximize their earnings. You select a day to combine