Want to learn how to make money as a Spark driver? Good. You’re in the right place.
There are tons of options when it comes to delivering goods for platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Instacart, etc. So if food delivery is the kind of side hustle you’re interested in, Spark is worth checking out.
By the end of this guide you will learn:
- Pros and cons of delivering for Spark
- How much money can you expect to earn after signing up for Spark
- Driver and vehicle requirements for Spark
- What do Spark drivers do?
Table of Contents
About Spark Delivery
Walmart launched Spark in 2018, and it’s grown to become Walmart’s largest local delivery provider, delivering to rural and suburban areas. Since it launched, Spark has grown to deliver in all 50 states across the U.S.
Spark is an upcoming challenger that helps Walmart and other retailers like Home Depot, Sam’s Club, and others, introduce food and grocery delivery to their customers, and for you, it’s another option as a side hustle.
Spark Drivers can expect to earn about $20 per hour. Keep reading to learn more and find out if you’re eligible.
Spark Driver Requirements
The entire application process happens inside the Spark Driver app, and you’ll use the app to submit all the required documents. You can expect to wait from 3-7 days for approval, depending on your market.
Here’s a list of the Spark Driver requirements:
- You have to be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Access to a vehicle
- Have a proof of car insurance
- Have an SSN
How Much Money Can You Make Driving for Spark?
You can expect to make about $20 an hour as a Spark Driver.
The average pay per order is in the range of $10-$20, and Walmart calculates driver pay based on distance, order size, and it rewards drivers for their perceived effort and the difficulty of the order.
Spark also gives drivers several more ways to boost their pay, including:
- Incentives: These are extra earning opportunities for drivers to take advantage of in their area.
- Referrals: Drivers are rewarded with bonuses when they refer their friends to deliver for Spark.
- Tips: You keep 100% of any tips you earn when delivering for Spark.
Depending on how much you’re willing to work, some Spark drivers can reach $1,000 per week on full-time work.
How Spark Drivers Get Paid
Spark pays drivers weekly, and payments are sent out on Tuesday. There are two options for how drivers are paid: direct deposit or it can be transferred to a digital wallet, Branch Wallet or One Wallet.
There are also opportunities to cash out your earnings after every trip.
For more side hustles that pay fast, check out our list of Same Day Pay Jobs.
Spark Vehicle Requirements
Spark is not as strict with the type of vehicle you drive, as long as it is safe and reliable to customers. Smaller vehicles like motorcycles or scooters do not have adequate space for deliveries with Spark. Spark will also gauge orders according to your vehicle size.
Why You Should Become a Spark Driver
There are multiple apps you can deliver for, and Spark is an easy alternative to Instacart, Uber Eats, and Doordash. The requirements are virtually the same, so if you’re already delivering for one of those apps, Spark is a natural fit.
Spark also offers a lot of flexibility with a gig that drivers can do to make around $20 an hour. Spark Delivery is also a good side gig for someone who doesn’t want massive interaction with customers and enjoys the help of working with retail associates, who help you load your car and make your job easier and more enjoyable.
Delivering Your First Order in Spark
Similar to other delivery apps, you’ll await an order, pick up the order, and deliver it to the customer. Here’s a deep dive into how it looks as you deliver your first order:
- Step 1: In your offers tab, you’ll get an order request for delivery that estimates how much you’ll get paid for the order, how many miles away the customer is, and an estimated time of completion. Spark gives you four minutes to accept an order request.
- Step 2: If you accept the request, it will show you the size of the order and the approximate number of items.
- Step 3: When you arrive at Walmart, you’ll park in the Reserved Pickup parking spaces, and the app will notify Walmart that you are there to pick up the order.
- Step 4: You’ll wait for the Walmart associate to load your vehicle with the items.
- Step 5: The Spark Driver app may have you scan some of the items in the order.
- Step 6: The app will give you step-by-step directions to the delivery location.
- Step 7: When unloading everything to the customer’s house, the customer will then proceed to sign the order after delivery.
Look at that – you just made yourself some bucks!
Pros & Cons of Becoming a Spark Driver
Pros
- There are very few requirements to getting started.
- Spark Drivers are paid weekly.
- You can easily pair this side hustle with other delivery apps.
Cons
- Depending on the area that you are located in, the order demand might be low some days.
- How much you earn is entirely dependent on order demand.
Final Word: Is Spark Driver Worth It?
If you just want to make money on your own without much interaction, Spark Driver could be worth the try. Other delivery apps may have you speaking to restaurants and picking up and waiting for orders to be prepared. With Spark, you get help from the retail associates to load your car up and make delivery simple and faster for you.
FAQs
There are over 17,000 pick-up points for Spark, and it is available in all 50 states in the U.S.
You simply go to the Spark website or app and fill out your application online. You will hear back from them in 3-7 days, and you will also need to meet the driver requirements to be approved.
Spark doesn’t give very specific information about the type of vehicle you can deliver with, except for the fact that you can’t deliver via motorcycle or scooter.