How Much Do Funded Traders Actually Make Per Month?
A realistic breakdown of funded trading income: profit split, account size, payout cycle and the costs that reduce your net.
The basic formula
Monthly income = account size × monthly return × your profit split. A $100,000 account at 3% with an 80% split pays $2,400. Three percent a month is a good, sustainable figure; anyone promising 20% is selling a dream.
By account size (3% return, 80% split)
- $10,000 → $240/mo
- $25,000 → $600/mo
- $50,000 → $1,200/mo
- $100,000 → $2,400/mo
- $200,000 → $4,800/mo
What reduces the number
- Failed challenge fees before you pass.
- Commission and spread on every trade.
- Consistency rules that can delay a payout by a cycle.
- Transfer and payment-method fees.
- Losing months — there is no salary.
A realistic first year, month by month
Most funded traders do not earn in month one. A typical honest timeline: month 1–2 paying for one or two challenge attempts, month 2–3 passing and completing the minimum trading days, month 3–4 the first payout after the payout cycle and any consistency check. Counting from the day you first pay, three to four months to a first withdrawal is normal — and that first withdrawal usually has to cover the failed attempts before it.
Net vs gross: a worked example
A $100,000 account, 3% monthly return, 80% split looks like $2,400. Subtract roughly $100–$250 of commission on the volume needed to make 3%, one $500 failed attempt amortised over the year (about $42/month), and payment fees of 1–3% on the withdrawal. Net is closer to $2,000–$2,150 in a good month — and $0 in a flat or losing month.
How to raise income without raising risk
- Scale through the firm's own scaling plan instead of buying a large account early.
- Split capital across two firms so one firm's trouble does not stop all income.
- Keep risk at 0.5–1% per trade — account longevity pays more than a big month.
- Withdraw on schedule instead of letting profit sit in a funded account you do not own.