How much does a professional gamer earn? The answer depends on several factors, such as their skill level, popularity, and the game they play. Esports athletes often earn hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
The average salary for an esports athlete is $50,000 to $100,000 per year. However, some players can make up to $1 million or more in one year.
Esports is a rapidly growing global entertainment industry. According to Newzoo, the global esports audience reached over 400 million viewers in 2018. In 2019, the number is expected to reach 500 million.
What Is Esports?
The term “esports” was first used in 1997 by John D. Carmack, who created the id Software video game Doom. He called it e-Sports Entertainment. However, he didn’t use the word “esports” because he wanted to avoid confusion with sports like football or basketball.
Today, esports are defined as competitive games played for prizes. They can be played online or offline (in person) and may involve players from different countries around the world.
In 2017, Forbes estimated that the global esports market was worth $1 billion. This figure has been rising steadily since then.
What Kinds Of eSports Are There?
There are many types of esports, including:
• Action/Fighting Games – These include fighting games like Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, Mortal Kombat 11 (see also ‘How To Do Fatalities In Mortal Kombat 11?‘), etc.
• First Person Shooters – FPS games like Call of Duty, Overwatch, CSGO, etc.
• Real Time Strategy Games – RTS games like StarCraft II, Dota 2, League of Legends, etc.
• Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Games – MOBAs like League of Legends, Heroes of the Storm, Vainglory, etc.
• Sports Games – These include FIFA 18, Madden NFL 19, NBA Live Mobile, NHL 19, Rocket League, etc.
• Virtual Reality Games – VR games like Beat Saber, Superhot VR, Job Simulator, etc.
• Racing Games – These include Forza Horizon 4, Project Cars 2, Gran Turismo Sport, etc.
• Role Playing Games – RPG games like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XV, etc.
Professional gamers compete against each other in tournaments held all over the world. These events are broadcasted live on TV and streamed online so anyone with an internet connection can watch them.
There are many types of video games, including action, strategy, role playing, fighting, puzzle, racing, and shooting games. Many professional gamers specialize in one type of game.
For example, League of Legends is a popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where two teams of five players face off in a series of matches. Each team has its own champion character that represents the player’s skills and abilities.
League of Legends is played worldwide and has attracted a large following among fans. It also has a huge prize pool, which means there are plenty of opportunities for players to win big.
League of Legends is only one of many popular esports titles. Other games include:
If you want to become a pro gamer, you need to choose your favorite game and get good at it. You’ll also need some training to improve your skills. Here are some tips to help you succeed:
Learn about the game. Before you begin practicing, read up on the rules of the game. If you don’t understand what’s happening in the match, you won’t know how to play well.
Practice regularly. The best way to learn a new skill is to practice every day. Set aside time to play your favorite game. Play against yourself if possible.
Find a coach. Having someone to show you the ropes will help you improve faster. Ask your friends or family members to give you feedback.
Join an organized league. There are hundreds of leagues available for most games. Check out these websites to find local ones near you.
How Much Do eSports Players Make?
The average salary for a pro gamer depends on several factors, including their age, gender, location, experience level, and popularity.
According to the International e-Sports Federation (IeSF), the average annual income for a pro gamer is $20,000-$30,000. This includes prize money from competitions as well as sponsorship deals.
Some pros earn much more than this because they’re sponsored by companies who pay them to endorse products. For instance, Felix “PewDiePie” Kjellberg earns around $12 million per year thanks to his YouTube channel.
It’s important to note that not everyone makes a living playing video games. Most people have hobbies outside of gaming. They may enjoy playing video games but aren’t able to make a career out of it.
It can take years before you start making a decent amount of money playing video games. Some players spend 10+ hours a week honing their skills. Others devote even longer periods of time to perfecting their craft.
Other eSport Salaries
The salaries of those in eSports completely depends on the games, as well as the contracts and skill level.
Esports pros make $15,000 per month. Salaried pro gamers make about $4,000 – $5,000 per month or $50,000 – $60,000 a year. However, eSport tournaments can pay out over $50,000.
Streamers earn about $1500 – $2000 per month. eSports organizations pay gamers around $50,000-$75,000 a year to be part of an esports team. This is how much money they make from tournaments.
The Money Depends On The Game
It is true that the amount of money you earn as an eSports player depends on the game, as well as the league and skill level you hold. A perfect example of this is the game Heroes of the Storm. The game was dismissed eventually, but a lot of players did incredibly well with it. People were making $50,000 a year from this game.
Heroes of the storm had a huge following when it first came out. It was very popular among fans. Many players were paid handsomely for streaming the game. However, Blizzard Entertainment decided to discontinue the game.
Highest Earning eSport Games
There are various games that earn the highest amount in eSports.
Fortnite
Fortnite (see also ‘When Does The Fortnite Season End?‘) is one of the biggest games in eSports right now. It has been played since 2017. Fortnite is free to play, which means anyone can download it and play it. It also doesn’t require any kind of subscription fee.
Because of its popularity, there are many different ways to get paid through Fortnite. You can either stream it or play it yourself. If you want to make money from your gameplay, you can create videos and upload them to platforms like Youtube. There are also other ways to monetize your content.
Battle Royale Mode in Fortnite
In this mode, 100 players parachute onto an island. The last person standing wins.
The game is played on PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, and macOS.
The average salary for a pro Fortnite player is about $15,000.
You can sell merchandise related to the game. You can also charge subscriptions to watch streams. These are just some of the ways you can make money from playing Fortnite.
League Of Legends
League of Legends is another popular game in eSports. It was released in 2009. League of Legends is available on PC, Xbox One, PS4, and mobile devices.
You can play solo or in teams. Solo players usually don’t make any money from playing League of Legends. Teams however, can earn up to $100,000 per season.
This is because of the prize pool system. Every season, there is a certain amount of money given away by Riot Games. The winner gets the most money.
This is why people join teams. They can earn a lot of money if they win. In addition, they can share the money amongst themselves.
Dota 2
Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena video game developed and published by Valve Corporation. It was released in 2013.
In Dota 2, two teams fight each other to destroy the enemy base. Each team consists of five members.
Players who have good teamwork skills will earn more money.
Starcraft II
StarCraft II is a real-time strategy game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. It was released in 1998.
Starcraft II is a 3vs3 game where three players face off against each other. The goal is to destroy the opponent’s base.
If you play competitively, you can earn a lot of cash. For example, the World Championship Series (WCS) tournament is held every year. It has a prize pool of $1 million dollars.
The top 16 players qualify for the finals. This is where the big money comes from.
Counter Strike Global Offensive
Counter strike global offensive is a First Person Shooter developed by Valve Corporation. It is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena Game.
It was released in 2008. CSGO is a 5 vs 5 game where you choose between terrorist or counter terrorist.
Counter Strike Global Offensive is one of the best selling games in eSports. It has over 100 million registered users.
The average salary per month for a professional player is around $10,000.
Hearthstone
Hearthstone is an online card battler game developed by Blizzard Entertainment and currently owned by Activision. It was released in 2014.
Hearthstone is a 4v4 game where four players compete against each other. A deck of cards determines how well you perform.
There are multiple ways to make money from Hearthstone. You can buy packs of cards with real money.
You can also use third party websites that allow you to trade cards for real money.
Overwatch
Overwatch is a first-person shooter developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. It is a Multiplayer online battle arena game.
Overwatch is a 6 vs 6 game where six players fight against each other.
Each match lasts 20 minutes. If you get eliminated during the match, you lose all your items.
The game is played on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.
The average salary of a pro Overwatch player is around $40,000.
Rocket League
Rocket league is a car soccer game developed and published by Psyonix. It was released in 2015.
Rocket League is a 1 vs 1 game where you control a rocket powered car. Your goal is to score goals against your opponents.
The game is free to play but it does contain some optional purchases.
The highest paid Rocket League player is called “Killa”. He earns about $100,000 a year.
How Much Does The Average eSports Player Make?
eSports is a growing industry. There are many different types of eSport tournaments.
The average salary of an eSports athlete varies depending on what type of sport they are playing.
For example, a Starcraft II player makes $2,000 – $5,000 a month while a Counter Strike Global Offensive player earns $7,500 – $15,000 a month.
A Hearthstone player earns around $6,000 a month. An Overwatch player earns around $9,000 a month. And a Rocket League player earns around $11,000 a month.
Typically, most eSport players will make an average salary of around $50,000 a year.
First, you need to find out which eSport you would like to be part of. Then, you need to practice and train as much as possible.
Once you have done this, you will then need to register yourself with an organization. This organization will help you get sponsorships and contracts.
Sponsorships are when companies pay you to wear their logo. Contracts are when you agree to work for a company. For example, if you sign a contract with Nike, you will have to wear their shoes.
After you have signed a sponsorship deal or a contract, you will need to start competing. Competing means that you will play matches against other people. These matches are usually organized by organizations, and they will help you gain recognition.
When you win these matches, you will earn points. Points are used to determine who wins competitions. In order to increase your chances of winning, you should try to improve your skills.
What Is Niche eSports?
Niche eSports are often smaller events. These events are less popular than mainstream events.
Some examples of niche sports include:
MMOs (Massively multiplayer online)
Fighting Games
Racing Games
Role Playing Games
Is Niche eSports More Profitable Than Established eSports?
Esports are played by professionals who play many games. You can choose a niche game if you’re good at it. Otherwise, you’ll need to follow the mainstream to make money.
Niche eSports is not usually as profitable, and you are not likely to make as much money as popular or mainstream eSports. However, there are some successful examples.
This includes games that were popular in the early 2000s. eSports competitor Dmitry Kostin has managed to make over $150,000 in earrings in Warcraft III, all because he’s been playing for years.
Although it’s more of a niche competition, there are less players involved and more expertise.
How Much Money Can I Earn Playing Video Games?
Playing video games isn’t just fun; it can be incredibly profitable too! Many gamers make a full-time living from playing video games.
You can earn anywhere from $0-$100 per hour depending on the type of game you play.
Here are some examples of how much money you could potentially earn:
You can make $1 per minute playing mobile games like Clash Royale.
You can make $2 per minute playing online games like League of Legends.
You can make $3 per minute playing PC games like Counter Strike: Global Offensive.
You can make over $5 per minute playing console games like Destiny 2.
You can make between $10-$25 per hour playing first-person shooters like Call Of Duty.
You can make between $15-$50 per hour playing third person action games like Gears Of War 4.
How Long Does It Take To Be Good At Gaming?
If you want to become a professional gamer, you’ll need to put in a lot of work. But with enough dedication, you can achieve greatness.
There are many ways to improve your skills. You can practice alone or join a team. You can also watch other players’ gameplay videos and study their techniques.
Once you’ve mastered a certain aspect of the game, you can move onto another one. As long as you keep improving, you should eventually reach the top.
The best way to learn about different aspects of the game is to talk to others who are better at it than you are. Join a community forum where people discuss strategies and share tips.
How Do I Get Started With My Career In Gaming?
Finding a job as a professional gamer can be challenging if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Before you apply for any jobs, you should familiarize yourself with the industry. Learn about the types of positions available and the qualifications required.
In addition, you’ll need to create an impressive portfolio showcasing your past achievements. This will help potential employers see why you deserve a job offer.
You can use sites like Glassdoor to find out what kind of salaries different professionals earn.
What Are The Best Jobs In Gaming?
Gaming has a wide variety of careers. If you love video games, there are plenty of opportunities to pursue a career in the field.
Some of the most popular jobs include:
Game Designer – Game designers are responsible for creating new games. They come up with ideas, write stories, design characters, and more.
Game Tester – Game testers test games by playing them and reporting bugs. They ensure that the game runs smoothly and doesn’t crash.
Game Programmer – Game programmers develop software programs that run on computers. They may create entire games or parts of games.
Game Producer – Game producers manage teams of developers. They plan projects, assign tasks, and oversee everything related to developing games.
Game Writer – Game writers create text-based content for games. They may write descriptions, dialogues, or quests.
Game Artist – Game artists create graphics for games. They draw pictures, paint backgrounds, and animate characters.
Game Director – Game directors lead development teams. They hire talented individuals, set goals, and supervise every step of the process.
Where Does The Money Come From In eSports?
One of the biggest challenges facing esports athletes is how they get paid. Most of the time, gamers have to pay for their own equipment.
Many organizations provide funding for teams. These groups often cover travel costs, housing, food, and other expenses.
However, some players make money through sponsorships. Companies pay these athletes to wear their products during tournaments.
If you want to play professionally, you’ll need to invest a significant amount of time into your training. It’s important to remember that this isn’t just a hobby. You could potentially become rich from your skills.
Who Are The Richest eSport Players?
The richest esports player is likely to be someone who makes millions of dollars each year.
There are many factors that contribute to earning such large sums of money. Some people are lucky enough to win big prizes while others build successful brands.
The wealthiest eSport players/teams include :
Cloud9 – Cloud9 was formed in 2013. Since then, it has been one of the top gaming teams in North America.
FaZe Clan – FaZe Clan was founded in 2011. Today, it is one of the best Counter Strike teams in the world.
Team SoloMid – Team SoloMid was started in 2008. Today, it is considered one of the best League Of Legends teams in the world.
Which Is Better For Your Career As An Esports Player, College Or High School?
While it might seem obvious that college would be better than high school, there are several benefits associated with attending either institution.
College provides students with access to resources that aren’t available at schools without sports teams. This includes tutoring services, academic advisors, and more.
High school also offers its students an opportunity to compete against other students. However, college gives students a chance to improve their skills as well as gain valuable experience.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve learned, eSports is a lucrative and exciting business. There is the potential to make a lot of money, all whilst playing great games. We hope you found some interesting information about eSports, and how much the players earn.
My name is Ashley Newby and I want to put integrity back into esports and get the hype surrounding them paramount once more. During my teenage years, I happened to stumble across a Street Fighter tournament online and I was hooked.
From that day, I have kept up with and watched many tournaments including Valorant, Super Smash Bros, and League of Legends. I even got to compete in my first one earlier this year!
