Get Paid $60+ at Gas Stations for This Simple Mystery Shopping Job

Yes, you really can get paid to mystery shop gas stations.

Most gas station mystery shopping jobs pay just $5 to $10 per visit.

That may not sound like much. But that’s only the base pay.

I’ve seen secret shoppers earn $20, $40, and sometimes even $60 or more for a single gas station assignment. Later, I’ll show you how to improve your chances of landing those higher-paying shops.

First, let me show you the best companies offering gas station mystery shopping jobs right now, how much they pay, how bonuses work, and the simple photo mistake that causes many reports to get rejected.

Best Gas Station Mystery Shopping Companies

If you’re looking for gas station mystery shopping jobs, these are the companies I recommend signing up with first.

They regularly offer gas station and convenience store assignments across the U.S. All six are free to join, and I verified that each one is currently accepting shoppers.

I compared them based on four things that matter most: how often they post jobs, how much they pay, how fast they pay, and what kinds of assignments they offer.

One thing I’ve learned is that getting paid quickly can matter just as much as how much the actual shopping assignment pays. That’s why I’m starting with the two companies that pay through PayPal.

Intouch Insight

• Typical pay: Usually $8 to $25+ per assignment, depending on the client and bonuses
• How you get paid: PayPal twice a month
• Job platforms: iSecretShop, Sassie, and Shopmetrics

Intouch Insight is one of the best companies for finding gas station mystery shopping jobs.

It has been in business since 1992, has MSPA Elite status, and regularly assigns gas station and convenience store shops throughout the year.

As a secret shopper, a typical assignment for you might be checking product displays, inspecting the pumps and store, making a small purchase then uploading photos with your report.

One thing that’s different about Intouch is that it doesn’t post all of its jobs on its own website. Instead, it uses mystery shopping platforms like iSecretShop, Sassie, and Shopmetrics to manage many of its assignments. So even though you’re working for Intouch, you’ll often claim the jobs through one of those platforms.

Pro tip: Spend the extra few minutes signing up for all three. Since Intouch posts jobs across all of them, you’ll have a much better chance of finding secret shopping gigs near you.

I Shop For Ipsos

• Typical pay: $8 to $15 before bonuses
• How you get paid: PayPal 7 to 10 days after your report is approved
• Requirements: A valid SSN or tax ID, plus a PayPal account

I Shop For Ipsos (yes, the same global market research company behind Ipsos iSay, the paid survey platform) is the world’s largest mystery shopping company and one of the best choices if want to get paid quickly.

Once your report is approved, you get paid via PayPal within 7 to 10 days.

Most gas station mystery shopping jobs pay $8 to $15 before bonuses.

Ipsos schedules many of its visits on monthly and quarterly cycles, which is one reason bonus pay becomes available later in the month when some locations still haven’t been claimed. I’ll explain that strategy in more detail later.

Pro tip: The iShopFor Ipsos NEXT app is very convenient but a lot of user reviews I read complain about login issue and lost survey answers. So to avoid such problems, a lot of experienced shoppers upload their photos through the app, then finish the report later on the website.

Market Force

• Typical pay: Varies by assignment, plus reimbursements when offered
• How you get paid: ACH direct deposit or PayPal once a month
• App: Eyes On Global with self-assign assignments

With an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, Market Force, which was acquired by MCI in 2024, is one of the largest mystery shopping companies in the industry.

It works with more than 200 clients, including many well-known gas station and convenience store chains, so there’s a good chance you’ll find assignments near you.

Most visits involve buying a small amount of gas, purchasing an item inside the store, and completing an evaluation with photos after your visit.

The biggest downside is the payment schedule. Market Force pays once a month, so depending on when you complete an assignment, you may wait several weeks to receive your money.

Pro tip: While researching shopper reviews, the longer wait for payment was one of the most common complaints I came across. If you can, complete your assignments early in the payment cycle. That can shorten the time between finishing the job and getting paid.

Sinclair Customer Metrics

• Typical pay: Varies by assignment
• How you get paid: Paper check mailed during the last week of the month after your shop
• Best for: Regional gas station and convenience store chains

Sinclair has specialized in convenience stores and gas stations mystery shopping since 1987. They also cover banks and fast food restaurants.

It’s a good company to join if you live in an area with regional gas station chains instead of the big national brands.

The main complaints I noticed on Reddit’s Beer Money sub is the lack of payment options. Unlike most mystery shopping companies, Sinclair only pays by paper check.

For example, if you complete an assignment on June 5, your check won’t be mailed until the last week of July. If you prefer getting paid by PayPal or direct deposit, one of the other companies on this list may be a better fit.

BestMark

• Typical pay: Varies by assignment, plus reimbursements when offered
• How you get paid: PayPal, direct deposit, or gift card
• Types of assignments: Covert mystery shops and revealed audits

Started in 1986, BestMark offers both traditional mystery shopping jobs and revealed audits at gas stations.

Keep in mind that these revealed audits are usually a two-step process.

You have to do the first half of the shop completely undercover to grade the clerk’s customer service.

Once you finish your purchase, you then “reveal” yourself by handing the manager a printed Letter of Authorization (LOA) so you can check the restrooms or backrooms

Make sure you print this letter out and keep it clean. Schedulers say that managers often refuse to let you complete the audit if you hand them a crumpled, messy piece of paper from your pocket.

According to BestMark, poor-quality photos are one of the biggest reasons gas station reports get rejected. Their advice is simple: take at least two photos of every required item in case one turns out blurry.

One complaint I kept running into on Mystery Shop Forum is slow BestMark payments. That happens because the projected pay date on your dashboard is only an estimate, and your money isn’t issued until your report clears their review process, which can stretch the4 weeks or m wait to ore.

So until your first payment arrives, stick with low-cost gas station shops instead of assignments that require bigger out-of-pocket purchases.

Pro tip: Go to a different gas station of the same chain before your first paid assignment. Walking around the property beforehand helps you know where the pumps, restrooms, and signs are, so you’ll feel more confident when it counts.

iSecretShop

• How it works: Browse assignments from dozens of mystery shopping companies in one place
• Pay: Set by the company offering the assignment
• Payment: Method and schedule vary by company and are shown before you accept a shop

Unlike the other options on this list, iSecretShop isn’t a mystery shopping company. It’s a mystery shopping platform where dozens of companies post available assignments.

That means you can search for gas station shops, convenience store audits, restaurant evaluations, and other assignments from multiple companies without visiting each company’s website separately.

In fact, some of the companies on this list, including Intouch Insight, use iSecretShop to post many of their available jobs.

Pro tip: Only claim assignments you’re confident you can complete. Canceling after you’ve accepted a shop can hurt your shopper rating with the company that posted it and may reduce your chances of getting future assignments.

How Much Do Gas Station Mystery Shopping Jobs Pay?

Now that you know where to find gas station mystery shopping jobs, let’s talk about what they actually pay.

Most gas station mystery shopping assignments pay a base fee of $5 to $10. On top of that, you’ll usually get reimbursed for a small purchase, a few gallons of gas, or both.

At first glance, that doesn’t seem like much. But the posted fee is often just the starting point.

Here are a few examples of what a typical assignment might pay:

• Carding check: $8 fee plus a $2 reimbursement
• Cleanliness and customer service evaluation: $7 fee plus reimbursement for gas and a small purchase
• Beer compliance check: $8 fee plus a $2 reimbursement

The highest-paying assignments are usually the ones other shoppers don’t want. As the deadline gets closer, schedulers often add bonus pay to unclaimed locations to make sure every gas station gets visited.

That’s when a $5 or $10 assignment can turn into a $20, $40, or even $60+ payout, especially for rural locations or last-minute shops that need to be completed quickly.

For example, shoppers on Mystery Shop Forum have reported earning $24.50 and even $60 for remote locations (mind you that forum thread is from a few years ago). Obviously, bonus amounts vary by company, location, and how urgently the visit needs to be completed.

Insider tip: Some experienced secret shoppers don’t claim assignments as soon as they’re posted. Instead, they watch for bonus increases later in the month, then plan a driving route that lets them complete several shops in one trip. Completing 10 bonused assignments that each pay $15 to $25 can turn a half-day drive into $150 to $250, while reimbursements help offset your fuel costs.

Knowing how bonus pay works is one of the easiest ways to earn more as a mystery shopper. Next, I’ll show you how to sign up and start qualifying for these assignments.

How to Become a Gas Station Mystery Shopper (Step-by-Step)

Getting started is easier than most people think.

You can sign up with all six companies in about 20 minutes.

I recommend joining them in this order so you can start seeing assignments as quickly as possible.

1. Start with Intouch Insight: Create accounts on iSecretShop, Sassie, and Shopmetrics so you can see all of its available assignments.
2. Sign up for Ipsos: Add your SSN or tax ID and PayPal account so you’re ready for some of the fastest-paying shops.
3. Join Market Force: Download the Eyes On Global app so you can self-assign available visits.
4. Add Sinclair Customer Metrics and BestMark: These companies can help you find regional gas station chains and revealed audits that don’t always appear on the larger platforms.
5. Complete your shopper profiles: Fill out every profile completely since mystery shopping companies often match assignments based on your location and demographics.
6. Accept one simple assignment first: Start with an easy covert shop before taking on longer evaluations or photo-heavy audits.

Your first report is more important than your first paycheck. A well-written report helps build your shopper rating, making it easier to qualify for better assignments and higher-paying bonus shops.

So how do you make sure your first report gets approved?

Avoid these common mistakes.

Why Gas Station Mystery Shopping Reports Get Rejected

You can complete an assignment perfectly and still have your report rejected.

In most cases, the problem isn’t what happened during your visit. It’s the report you submit afterward.

The biggest reason reports get rejected is poor or missing photos. Most gas station assignments require clear pictures of the pumps, price signs, restrooms, receipts, and other parts of the property.

So if your pictures are blurry, missing, or don’t show what the client asked for, you may not get paid.

Here are a few simple ways to avoid that:

• Take two photos: Photograph every required item twice in case one image is blurry.
• Check the checklist: Review the required photos before you arrive so you don’t miss anything.
• Save your receipt: Keep it until your report is approved since you may need to upload it.
• Submit it today: File your report the same day while the details are still fresh.
• Do one last check: Make sure every required photo, receipt, and answer is included before submitting.

Covert shops (where you act like a regular customer and employees don’t know you’re a secret shopper) can be a little trickier because you need to take photos without drawing attention to yourself. You can just pretend to check a text message or use your phone normally while taking the required pictures.

And if an employee asks what you’re doing, don’t make up a story. Follow the instructions provided for that assignment. Some shops include an authorization letter that you can show if you’re questioned.

That said, if you’ve ever shopped at a gas station, you know an employee asking you what you’re doing is highly unlikely, lol.

Watch out for the purchase trap

When a shop requires you to make a small purchase inside, do not buy lottery tickets, tobacco, or alcohol. Lottery tickets usually don’t generate a standard itemized receipt that the reporting system can verify, which can cause your submission to fail validation.

Tobacco and alcohol are also strictly off-limits for most standard customer experience shops since those purchases are reserved for separate, highly regulated age-compliance audits.

To stay safe, stick with simple items like bottled water, gum, or snacks that produce clean, verifiable receipts.

Downsides of Gas Station Mystery Shopping

Gas station mystery shopping can be a good side hustle, but it’s not for everyone.

By the way, if you’d rather not drive around, there are a few legit telephone mystery shopping jobs you can do from home.

Now, before you sign up, here are a few downsides to keep in mind.

• Low starting pay: A single $6 assignment usually isn’t worth a special trip. Group several shops together or wait for bonus pay.
• Slow payments: Some companies pay quickly, while others take several weeks. Check the payment schedule before accepting an assignment.
• Strict reports: Missing photos, receipts, or required details can hurt your shopper rating or cost you the assignment.

About Card freezes / fraud lockouts

If you follow the common strategy of batching several gas station shops into one driving route, using the same debit or credit card at multiple fuel pumps in a short window can trigger an automatic fraud freeze from your bank.

This can leave you stranded mid-route.

So to avoid issues, notify your bank in advance if you plan multiple fuel purchases in one day, or rotate between two payment methods to reduce risk.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re good to know before you get started. Now let’s answer some of the most common questions about gas station mystery shopping.

Gas Station Mystery Shopping FAQ

Is Gas Station Mystery Shopping Legit?

Yes, as long as you work with legitimate mystery shopping companies like the ones listed in this guide. The biggest risk isn’t the companies themselves. It’s scammers pretending to be them. Never accept a check before you’ve done any work, and never send money to anyone as part of a mystery shopping assignment. If you’re not sure whether an offer is real, read my guide to mystery shopping scams before signing up.

Do I Need Experience to Become a Mystery Shopper?

No. Most mystery shopping companies don’t require previous experience. If you can follow instructions, take clear photos, and write accurate reports, you can qualify. Many shoppers start with simple gas station assignments before moving on to more detailed audits.

How Long Does a Gas Station Mystery Shop Take?

Most gas station mystery shops take about 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the requirements. A simple visit with a small purchase is usually quick, while photo-heavy audits and longer reports can take an hour or more from start to finish.

Can I Do More Than One Gas Station Mystery Shop in a Day?

Yes. In fact, that’s one of the best ways to increase your earnings. Many experienced shoppers plan a route with several nearby assignments. Completing multiple shops in one trip helps reduce driving costs and makes even lower-paying visits worth your time.

Do I Have to Pay Taxes on Mystery Shopping Income?

Yes. Mystery shoppers are independent contractors, so you’re responsible for reporting your earnings. If a company pays you $600 or more during the year, it will generally send you a 1099. The IRS Gig Economy Tax Center explains how to report your income and what records to keep. You can also usually deduct eligible business mileage between assignments.

Research Methodology

To keep this guide accurate, I verified every company directly before publishing. I checked each company’s signup page, payment methods, payout schedule, and other details on its official website.

I also reviewed discussions from experienced mystery shoppers on communities like Reddit’s BeerMoney and SideHustle, Mystery Shop Forum, and recent app store reviews.

Cross-checking these sources helped confirm how the platforms actually work in practice, including pay ranges, bonus opportunities, payment speed, and common issues like delayed payments or report rejections.

Whenever possible, I confirmed important details using multiple sources. If I couldn’t verify a claim, I left it out.

Is Gas Station Mystery Shopping Worth It?

Yes, gas station mystery shopping can be worth it, but only if you do it the right way. Taking one $5 assignment probably isn’t worth the drive.

Planning a route with several shops, especially bonused ones, is where you can earn decent money.

If you’re just getting started, sign up with Intouch Insight and Ipsos first. They offer a good mix of available assignments and fast PayPal payments. Then add Market Force, Sinclair Customer Metrics, BestMark, and iSecretShop to find even more jobs in your area.

To maximize your earnings, wait for bonus opportunities when possible, group nearby assignments into one trip, take every required photo twice, and submit your report the same day.

If you’d like to find even more mystery shopping opportunities, check out my guide to the best mystery shopping companies.

And if you’ve tried gas station mystery shopping, share your experience in the comments. Your tips could help other readers avoid mistakes and earn more on their first assignments.