The esports industry has recently exploded in popularity, captivating millions of fans worldwide and attracting substantial financial investments. This rapid growth has made esports a mainstream entertainment option and turned top players into highly paid professionals. So, how much do esports players make? 

Esports players’ earnings vary widely, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 monthly. Top players in popular games like Dota 2 and League of Legends can earn millions annually from prizes, salaries, and sponsorships. Players can also supplement their income through streaming and endorsements. 

This article will examine esports players’ payouts, revealing crucial statistics on the highest earners and the impact of player earnings on the professional gaming community.

How Much Do Professional Esports Players Make?

1. Esports players make an average of $156,348 annually in the US.

According to ZipRecruiter, esports players in the US make an average of $156,348 a year. This amounts to $75.17 hourly, $3,006 weekly, and $13,029 monthly. 

(Source: ZipRecruiter)

2. Traditional sports athletes earn an average salary of $46,765.

Traditional sports athletes have a lower average pay than esports pros, but there is a higher concentration of players earning huge wages.

(Source: ZipRecruiter)

3. China tops the list of countries with the highest-earning esports players, $289,563,995 (8,620 Players).

Here are countries that complete the top ten.

• USA – $268,316,829.32 (27,065 Players)
• Korea – $141,484,888.34 (5,747 Players)
• Russia – $81,799,654.27 (5,266 Players)
• Brazil – $60,068,560.32 (5,191 Players)
• Denmark – $58,345,487.60 (3,191 Players)
• Sweden – $53,451,225.73 (3,191 Players)
• France – $53,234,284.77 (6,035 Player)
• Germany – $47,858,363.98 (6,405 Players)
• Canada – $46,586,246.28 (4,043 Players)

(Source: Esports earnings)

4. Million-dollar tournaments in esports have increased by 41% over the last five years.

Esports charts reported that the number of million-dollar tournaments in esports has seen a 41% increment over the past five years. The International tournament peaked in this period, reaching a $40 million prize pool in 2021.

(Source: Esportscharts)

5. League of Legends esports  players can earn up to $216,000 annually.

League of Legends has the edge over DOTA 2 in terms of salaries, as its top players can earn up to $216,000. On the other hand, the highest-earning DOTA player currently earns around $100,000. However, the regular salaries are much lower, and League of Legends is more popular than DOTA.

(Source: Hawk)

6. Studies have shown that most esports players can live off their earnings.

According to Glassdoor, the lowest annual salary for an esports player in the US is $52,000 without endorsements or winnings. This figure is around the average salary for US citizens, and most pro gamers can live solely on their earnings.

(Source: Glassdoor)

How Much Do Esports Players Earn?

7. Sponsorships accounted for 60% of esports earnings in 2022.

Esports saw $800 million from endemic and non-endemic sources in 2022 from sponsorships. With the market larger now than before, it’s projected that this figure will continue to grow and benefit fans and players alike.

(Source: Fushion CPA)

8. The top 100% highest earnings esports players have earned over $1 million in their career.

The top 1% of esports players earn up to $1 million annually. However, the remaining 99% don’t earn too poorly, and the earning distribution is decent.

(Source: Esports Earnings)

9. Sasha “Scarlet” Hostyn is the highest-earning female esports player ($459,000 career winnings).

Female esports players earn significantly less than male players, with N0tail, the highest earning men’s player ($7,184,163), earning over $6.5 million more than the highest earning female player, Shasha “Scarlet” Hostyn ($459,000).

(Source: Esports Earnings)

10. The average esports career lasts 4-5 years.

Most esports players start their careers in their mid-teens, and the average retirement age is 25. Although there are a few exceptions, esports careers are very short.

(Source: eSports Lane) 

11. Ninja, a Fortnite streamer on Twitch, has a net worth of $50 million.

Esports players make money through multiple avenues, including sponsorships and merch sales. Ninja racked up a $50 million fortune from streaming Fortnite as a solo player, while N0tail has won $7,184,163 from his DOTA 2 career. Solo esports players don’t have a fixed salary but can earn more than team players.

(Source: Celebrity Net Worth)

12. Streaming is one of the fastest-growing revenue streams for esports, with a CAGR (Compound annual growth rate) of +24.8%.

Newzoo estimates that $46.3 million was generated from esports streaming in 2022. This figure is expected to rise in subsequent years, increasing esports market value and player earnings.

(Source: Newzoo) 

13. Players who want to make it big in esports should have a good representation.

Good representation, such as a manager or agent, helps increase players’ chances of getting the best possible salaries and endorsements.

(Source: EntertainmentiPlaw)

How Much Do Esports Teams Make?

14. With approximately 48.58 million won, Team Liquid from The Netherlands has won the highest prize money of any esports team.

Being part of a good esports team equates to higher earnings for players, as they win prize money and get sponsorship deals.

(Source: Statista)

15. The USA has the most active competition players in the world (3,525).

The USA has more active esports players than China (2,019) and Brazil (1,352), second and third on the global list.

(Source: Explodingtopics) 

16. In 2024, Dota 2 Pro Ame transferred from LGD Gaming to Xtreme Gaming.

Reports suggest that Xtreme Gaming paid around half a million dollars for him, although his pay is undisclosed.

(Source: Esports.net)

How Much Do Esports Tournaments Pay?

17. The International is the tournament with the highest prize pool in esports, with $30.82 million.

A recent study shows that DOTA ($30.82) has the highest prize pool of any esports game, followed by PUBG Mobile ($20.59 million). Fortnite ($19.61 million), Arena of Valor ($19 million), and Counter-Strike Global Offensive $15.51 million) complete the top five.

(Source: Statista) 

18. Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf earned $3,000,000 after winning the Fortnite World Cup Finals 2019 Solos.

Then, 16 years old, Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf clinched the Fortnite World Cup Finals 2019 in the Solos category, securing a monumental prize of $3,000,000. This victory not only transformed his life financially but also set a new standard in the burgeoning field of competitive gaming.

(Source: ESPN) 

19. The esports World Cup prize pool for 2024 is over $60 million.

The $60 million Esports World Cup prize pool is the largest in esports history. $20 million goes to the winners of the Club Championship, while the rest is divided among the other game categories.

(Source: OneSports)

20. Reports project over 500 million viewers for sports for esports by 2024.

According to the Interpret and Consumer Technology Association reports, esports viewership could be well over 519 million viewers by 2024. This increase in viewership will lead to more sponsorship deals and potentially higher pay for players.

(Source: Interpret and Consumer Technology Association)

21. League of Legends World Championship attracted the most viewers in 2023 at 6,402,760.

While League of Legends is the most watched esports event, ID Yatoro of Dota 2 was the highest-earning player in 2023, with $1.41 million earned.

(Source: eSports Charts)

22. A recent study by the Washington Post reveals that 26 is considered the age of retirement in esports.

Most esports players retire at 26. While some become coaches or casters, others retire from professional gaming.

(Source: The Washington Post)

23. Professional esports players spend an average of six to eight hours daily on training and scrimmage.

Esports is demanding, and the best players must train hard for long hours to keep up with the competition. Players who train more perform better and, as such, earn better winnings and salaries.

(Source: Global ESports)

24. According to TheJacob’sFirm, players who win money from esports tournaments in America must pay a tax on it.

International players should be conversant with the tax laws of the country they’re participating in to avoid legal trouble.

(Source: TheJacobsFirm) 

How Much Is the Esports Market?

25. The global gaming and esports market rose to around $159 billion in 2020.

The gaming market grew during the pandemic because many people were at home. Viewership for online esports skyrocketed, which increased esports earnings for top players.

(Source: World Economic Forum)

26. North America has the most prominent esports market share, with a 30.1% market revenue share in 2023

North America has controlled the esports market for many years, mainly due to the presence of top competitions like the Overwatch League and North America League of Legends Championship.

(Source: TheBrainyInsights)

27. The esports market will contribute $1.72 billion to the global economy in 2024.

As of 2024, the entire esports market is worth $1.72 billion, and this number is projected to rise in subsequent years.

(Source: Fortune Business Insights)

28. The esports market is expected to reach $9.29 Billion in 2032.

By 2032, the esports market will reach a market valuation of over $9 billion. This growth in earnings will positively impact the entire esports market, and an upgrade in player earnings will also be seen.

(Source: Fortune Business Insights) 

29. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox are two of the most widely used consoles for pro gamers.

The gaming medium doesn’t influence players’ pay; their skills and tournament success are more integral to their earnings.

(Source: ReadyEsports) 

Who Are the Highest Paid Players in League of Legends?

The highest-paid player in League of Legends is Lee Sang Hyeok, also known as Faker. He has played in over 40 tournaments and 432 matches. “Faker ” has won $1,582,369 in prize money.

He has won the League of Legends Champions Korea ten times and the World Championship and record four times, and he’s widely considered the best League of Legends player of all time.

How Much Do Esports Players Make Per Month?

The “How much do esports players make per month” question is another prevalent one in esports. The salaries of esports players vary depending on whether they play solo or with a team and their team’s reputation. Nonetheless, they earn a base salary between $1,000 and $6,000 monthly.

Note that endorsements, bonuses, and tournament winnings help skyrocket their earnings. Also, the highest earners earn considerably more than the average.

How Much Does League of Legends Players Earn?

It’s hard to determine the salary of League of Legends players because their teams don’t usually make it public. However, it’s estimated that the top players who play in the LoL Champions series may earn up to $300,000 annually.

Note that this figure doesn’t include their winning, sponsorships, or endorsements, which can skyrocket their earnings.

How Much Does Faker Earn?

Faker is undoubtedly one of the best esports players of all time and one of the richest. His estimated net worth is between 7 and 8 million dollars, and he accumulated his money in many ways. One of those is his salary, which, although concealed, is believed to be upwards of $200,000 monthly.

He has also earned over $1.5 million in different tournaments, including winning four world championships. Faker also boasts endorsements with many brands, including Samsung, Nike, and Razer. In addition, he streams regularly on his social media, which brings him income, and he has investment deals.

How Much Money Does the Winner of FIFA Esports Get?

The winner of the FIFA World Cup in 2023 received $300,000, while the runner-up walked home with $150,000. However, in other tournaments, like the ePremier League, the winner only receives $30,000.

Wrap Up

This wraps up our look at esports earnings in 2024. The average US pro earns $156,348 a year. Although some esports players make more than traditional athletes, sports pay is more evenly distributed. Many players manage to support themselves, and some even invest wisely after retiring. If you’re considering starting an esports career, now is a great time. You can check out our guide for everything you need to know.