One of the most common questions about prop trading is: "How much money can I actually make?" The answer depends on several factors — your account size, profit split, consistency, and risk management. Let's break down the realistic numbers.
The Basic Math
Your prop firm earnings are calculated as:
Monthly Profit × Profit Split = Your Payout
For example:
- Account size: $100,000
- Monthly return: 5%
- Monthly profit: $5,000
- Profit split: 80%
- Your payout: $4,000
Realistic Monthly Returns
Most consistently profitable prop traders generate between 3% and 8% monthly returns. Here's what that looks like across different account sizes:
Conservative Trader (3% monthly)
| Account Size | Monthly Profit | Your Share (80%) | Your Share (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $750 | $600 | $675 |
| $50,000 | $1,500 | $1,200 | $1,350 |
| $100,000 | $3,000 | $2,400 | $2,700 |
| $200,000 | $6,000 | $4,800 | $5,400 |
Average Trader (5% monthly)
| Account Size | Monthly Profit | Your Share (80%) | Your Share (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $1,250 | $1,000 | $1,125 |
| $50,000 | $2,500 | $2,000 | $2,250 |
| $100,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 | $4,500 |
| $200,000 | $10,000 | $8,000 | $9,000 |
Skilled Trader (8% monthly)
| Account Size | Monthly Profit | Your Share (80%) | Your Share (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $2,000 | $1,600 | $1,800 |
| $50,000 | $4,000 | $3,200 | $3,600 |
| $100,000 | $8,000 | $6,400 | $7,200 |
| $200,000 | $16,000 | $12,800 | $14,400 |
The Power of Multiple Accounts
Many successful prop traders run multiple funded accounts simultaneously. This is allowed by most firms and can significantly increase your income:
Example: 3 accounts at $100K each, 5% monthly, 85% split
- Monthly profit per account: $5,000
- Your share per account: $4,250
- Total monthly income: $12,750
Scaling Programs
Most firms offer scaling programs that increase your account size over time. Here's a typical progression:
- Start: $100K funded account
- After 3 months of consistent profits: Scale to $150K
- After 6 months: Scale to $200K
- After 12 months: Scale to $400K+
The Reality Check
Before you start dreaming about six-figure months, consider these factors:
Not Every Month Is Profitable
Even the best traders have losing months. A realistic expectation might be:- 8 profitable months per year
- 3 breakeven months
- 1 losing month
Challenge Costs
Factor in the cost of evaluations:- Initial challenge fee: $500-$1,000 for a $100K account
- Failed attempts (most traders fail 2-3 times before passing): $1,000-$3,000
- Total investment to get funded: $1,500-$4,000
Taxes
Prop firm payouts are typically treated as self-employment income. Depending on your country, you may owe 20-40% in taxes. Always consult a tax professional.Withdrawal Timing
Most firms process payouts bi-weekly or monthly. You won't have instant access to your profits.Annual Income Projections
Here's a realistic annual income for a disciplined trader with a $100K account at 80% profit split:
| Scenario | Monthly Avg | Annual (10 profitable months) |
|---|---|---|
| Conservative (3%) | $2,400 | $24,000 |
| Average (5%) | $4,000 | $40,000 |
| Skilled (7%) | $5,600 | $56,000 |
Can Prop Trading Be a Full-Time Career?
Yes, but it requires:
- Consistent profitability over at least 6-12 months of track record
- Multiple funded accounts to diversify income sources
- Emergency savings to cover months with lower payouts
- Discipline to avoid over-trading or increasing risk during dry spells
- Year 1: Pass 1-2 challenges, learn the ropes, $15-25K in payouts
- Year 2: Manage 3-5 accounts, scale up, $40-80K in payouts
- Year 3: Multiple scaled accounts, $80-150K+ in payouts
Maximizing Your Earnings
- Start with the right account size — Don't overpay for an account you can't manage
- Choose the highest profit split — FundedNext (95%) vs FTMO (90%) adds up over time
- Run multiple accounts — Diversify across 2-3 firms
- Scale aggressively — Meet scaling requirements as quickly as possible
- Minimize losing months — Consistent 3% beats volatile swings between +10% and -5%
Conclusion
Prop trading can be extremely lucrative for disciplined, consistent traders. A single $100K account at 5% monthly can generate $40,000+ per year. Multiple scaled accounts can push this into six figures. The key is starting with realistic expectations, building a track record, and scaling methodically.
Use our profit simulator tool to calculate your potential earnings based on your specific account size, profit split, and expected monthly returns.