What is the average income of a funded trader?

Funded trader income varies widely. Part-time traders with one $50k account might earn $500-$2,000/month. Full-time traders with multiple accounts ($200k-$500k total) can earn $5,000-$20,000+/month. Top performers exceed $50,000/month.

How does profit split work on prop firms?

Most prop firms offer 80-90% profit splits. If you make $10,000 in profits, you keep $8,000-$9,000. Some firms like Apex offer 100% on the first $25,000. Splits may increase based on performance or tenure.

Can you make a living as a funded trader?

Yes, but it requires discipline and multiple accounts. To replace a $60k salary, you'd need approximately $150k-$250k in funded capital generating 3-5% monthly returns. Many successful traders hold 3-10 funded accounts.

How often do prop firms pay out?

Payout frequency varies by firm. Weekly payouts: Apex, Tradeify. Bi-weekly: FundedNext, Take Profit Trader. Monthly: Some smaller firms. Most have minimum withdrawal thresholds of $50-$500.

Do funded traders pay taxes on prop firm income?

Yes, prop firm profits are taxable income in most countries. You'll typically receive a 1099 (US) or equivalent form. Consider setting aside 25-30% for taxes. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.

How Much Do Funded Traders Make? Real Income Expectations (2025)

How Much Do Funded Traders Actually Make?

One of the most common questions aspiring prop traders ask is: "How much do funded traders make?" The answer varies dramatically based on skill, account size, and consistency. Let's break down realistic expectations.

If you're new to prop trading, start with what is a prop firm to understand the fundamentals.

The Funded Trader Income Spectrum

Trader Level	Funded Capital	Monthly Return	Profit Split	Monthly Income
Beginner	$50,000	2-3%	80%	$800-$1,200
Intermediate	$150,000	3-5%	85%	$3,825-$6,375
Advanced	$300,000	4-6%	90%	$10,800-$16,200
Professional	$500,000+	5-8%	90%	$22,500-$36,000

Important: These are NET earnings after the firm's cut, before taxes.

Understanding Profit Splits

How Profit Splits Work

When you profit on a funded account, you split the gains with the prop firm:

Your Profit	Profit Split	Your Cut	Firm's Cut
$1,000	80%	$800	$200
$5,000	85%	$4,250	$750
$10,000	90%	$9,000	$1,000

Profit Split by Firm

Here's how much do funded traders make varies based on the firm's profit split. Compare the best futures prop firms for detailed reviews.

Firm	Standard Split	Special Offers
Apex Trader Funding	90%	100% on first $25k
FundedNext Futures	90%	Standard
Tradeify	80%	Standard
TakeProfit Trader	80%	-
Earn2Trade	80%	-

Realistic Monthly Returns

What can you realistically expect to make?

Conservative Expectations (New Funded Traders)

Monthly return: 2-3%
Win rate: 45-55%
Trading days: 15-20 per month

On a $50k account:

2% monthly = $1,000 gross
After 80% split = $800 net

Moderate Expectations (Experienced Traders)

Monthly return: 4-6%
Win rate: 55-65%
Trading days: 18-22 per month

On a $100k account:

5% monthly = $5,000 gross
After 85% split = $4,250 net

Aggressive Expectations (Professional Traders)

Monthly return: 6-10%
Win rate: 60-70%
Trading days: 20+ per month

On a $150k account:

8% monthly = $12,000 gross
After 90% split = $10,800 net

The Multiple Account Strategy

Most successful funded traders don't rely on one account—they stack multiple accounts:

Example: Building a Full-Time Income

Target: $6,000/month net income

Accounts	Size	Monthly Return	Gross	After 85% Split
Account 1	$50k	4%	$2,000	$1,700
Account 2	$50k	4%	$2,000	$1,700
Account 3	$100k	3%	$3,000	$2,550
Total	$200k		$7,000	$5,950

This is achievable and represents a common path for full-time funded traders.

Income Breakdown by Account Size

$25,000 Account

Typical profit target: $1,500 (6%)
Realistic monthly: $500-$750 (2-3%)
After 80% split: $400-$600
Best for: Testing strategies, building confidence

$50,000 Account

Typical profit target: $3,000 (6%)
Realistic monthly: $1,000-$1,500 (2-3%)
After 80% split: $800-$1,200
Best for: Side income, part-time trading

$100,000 Account

Typical profit target: $6,000 (6%)
Realistic monthly: $2,000-$4,000 (2-4%)
After 85% split: $1,700-$3,400
Best for: Serious part-time or transitioning to full-time

$150,000 Account

Typical profit target: $9,000 (6%)
Realistic monthly: $3,000-$6,000 (2-4%)
After 90% split: $2,700-$5,400
Best for: Full-time potential with 2-3 accounts

Payout Frequency Comparison

When do you get paid? Understanding payout schedules helps determine how much do funded traders make on a regular basis.

Firm	Payout Frequency	Minimum Withdrawal	Processing Time
Apex	Weekly	$500	1-3 days
Tradeify	Weekly	$100	1-2 days
FundedNext	Bi-weekly	$100	2-5 days
TakeProfit Trader	Bi-weekly	$100	2-3 days

What Successful Funded Traders Actually Earn

Based on industry data and trader reports:

Part-Time Traders (10-20 hrs/week)

Typical capital: $50k-$100k
Monthly income: $500-$3,000
Annual income: $6,000-$36,000

Full-Time Traders (40+ hrs/week)

Typical capital: $150k-$500k
Monthly income: $4,000-$15,000
Annual income: $48,000-$180,000

Professional Traders (Top 5%)

Typical capital: $500k+
Monthly income: $15,000-$50,000+
Annual income: $180,000-$600,000+

Costs to Consider

Your net income is reduced by:

Expense	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost
Platform fees	$0-$100	$0-$1,200
Data feeds	$0-$50	$0-$600
Account resets (if any)	Variable	Variable
Taxes (estimate 25%)	25% of profits	25% of profits

Example:

Gross profit: $5,000
Profit split (85%): $4,250
Platform/data: -$100
Taxes (25%): -$1,037.50
Net take-home: $3,112.50

Building to Full-Time Income

Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-6)

Pass 1-2 challenges
Learn to follow rules consistently
Target: $500-$1,500/month

Phase 2: Growth (Months 6-12)

Scale to 3-4 accounts
Refine strategy based on data
Target: $2,000-$5,000/month

Phase 3: Professional (Year 2+)

5-10 funded accounts
Consistent monthly income
Target: $5,000-$15,000/month

Income Expectations by Trading Style

Scalpers

Higher trade frequency
Smaller per-trade profit
Can generate consistent daily income
Best on larger accounts ($100k+)

Day Traders

2-5 trades per day
Moderate risk/reward
Steady monthly returns
Works on all account sizes

Swing Traders

Fewer trades (2-5 per week)
Larger per-trade profit
More variable monthly income
Requires patience with drawdown

Conclusion

The reality of how much do funded traders make:

Start small and realistic - $500-$1,500/month is achievable with one account
Stack accounts - Full-time income requires multiple funded accounts
Consistency beats home runs - 3-5% monthly is more sustainable than 10%+
Factor in all costs - Splits, fees, taxes reduce gross profits
It takes time - Building to full-time income typically takes 1-2 years

The funded trading path is legitimate, but it's not a get-rich-quick scheme. Treat it like building a business, and the income potential is real.

Ready to start earning? Learn how to pass your prop firm challenge, master prop firm risk management, or compare the best futures prop firms to find your starting point.

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