26.06.2025
How Much Can You Make as a Prop Trader? Realistic Expectations
Prop trading is like a regular job from 8am to 5pm. Here, too, you have to sit in front of a monitor all day. Follow the instructions of a boring trading system. Go to lunch. And only when it's time to get paid, the differences become apparent. A prop trader doesn't guess how much he'll get and why. He knows the exact figure.
This may scare some people. Many people are used to simulating work. Getting some money for it. They've given the reins to others. Mostly because they don't understand how their work converts into wages. All they can do is seek the favor of their superiors.
This is where the dirty corporate games come from. Those who are closer to the boss rise to the top. Injustice increases apathy. The spiral goes down. This is not possible in prop trading. The water is clear here. Everyone knows exactly what income level they are at. And what needs to be done to rise higher.
This is an honest, step-by-step strategy. There are 2 ways to increase income. Extensive - by increasing the capital under management. And intensive - by increasing the efficiency of the trading system. If the work is done well, the reward will be received. And if not, no boss will help.
It is important to understand who a beginner prop trader is. At this level, the reference system is not marked by time at work. But by the presence of a positive trading system. It includes:
As soon as the trader has a positive trading system, the question of the first challenge will immediately arise. Rough spots are inevitable. But the result will still be victory. The first challenge passed with the help of a positive system is the beginner level.
With standard risk management parameters, the monthly trading profitability will reach 5.0% or slightly more. In the first 6-12 months of work, a prop trader will be able to build a portfolio of funded accounts of $50,000 - 100,000. Perhaps more. But much depends on the financial capabilities at the start.
If we assume a 70-90 percent share of the trader in profits, the average monthly income target for a beginner will be $1,750 - 4,000 per month. Of course, not everyone will be able to direct these funds to more expensive challenges. Basic needs need to be met. But every reinvested dollar of profit will bring hundreds of percent over a distance of 12 months or more.
The transition to the level of experienced prop traders is much more tied to time. When you make a stable 5.0% from month to month, additional factors play an important role:
The average portfolio of an experienced prop trader is $200,000 - 400,000. Over a period of 12 months, the scaling system, with an average monthly return of 5.0% per month, will increase the account from $25,000 to $210,000. This does not include profit. If you start with a larger challenge, the result will be higher.
The average income of an experienced prop trader will be $7,000 - 15,000 per month. This is already enough to cover basic needs and reinvest in more expensive funded programs. Experienced prop traders can quickly rise to the top league. The main thing is to continue to follow the trading system with discipline.
The income of the best prop traders varies much wider. As a rule, the portfolio growth limit in one prop company is $1,000,000 - 2,000,000. When it is reached, horizontal expansion begins with the help of other companies. Unlike beginners, there are no difficulties with financing in the major league. Expensive challenges speed up the path. In addition, the best traders receive the most favorable conditions. This applies to scaling programs, profit distribution proportions. The average monthly income here starts from $20,000 - 25,000. And there is almost no upper limit.
This may scare some people. Many people are used to simulating work. Getting some money for it. They've given the reins to others. Mostly because they don't understand how their work converts into wages. All they can do is seek the favor of their superiors.
This is where the dirty corporate games come from. Those who are closer to the boss rise to the top. Injustice increases apathy. The spiral goes down. This is not possible in prop trading. The water is clear here. Everyone knows exactly what income level they are at. And what needs to be done to rise higher.
This is an honest, step-by-step strategy. There are 2 ways to increase income. Extensive - by increasing the capital under management. And intensive - by increasing the efficiency of the trading system. If the work is done well, the reward will be received. And if not, no boss will help.
For beginners
It is important to understand who a beginner prop trader is. At this level, the reference system is not marked by time at work. But by the presence of a positive trading system. It includes:
- trading patterns,
- risk management,
- daily, weekly, monthly schedule.
As soon as the trader has a positive trading system, the question of the first challenge will immediately arise. Rough spots are inevitable. But the result will still be victory. The first challenge passed with the help of a positive system is the beginner level.
With standard risk management parameters, the monthly trading profitability will reach 5.0% or slightly more. In the first 6-12 months of work, a prop trader will be able to build a portfolio of funded accounts of $50,000 - 100,000. Perhaps more. But much depends on the financial capabilities at the start.
If we assume a 70-90 percent share of the trader in profits, the average monthly income target for a beginner will be $1,750 - 4,000 per month. Of course, not everyone will be able to direct these funds to more expensive challenges. Basic needs need to be met. But every reinvested dollar of profit will bring hundreds of percent over a distance of 12 months or more.
For experienced
The transition to the level of experienced prop traders is much more tied to time. When you make a stable 5.0% from month to month, additional factors play an important role:
- account scaling system
- profit sharing proportions.
The average portfolio of an experienced prop trader is $200,000 - 400,000. Over a period of 12 months, the scaling system, with an average monthly return of 5.0% per month, will increase the account from $25,000 to $210,000. This does not include profit. If you start with a larger challenge, the result will be higher.
The average income of an experienced prop trader will be $7,000 - 15,000 per month. This is already enough to cover basic needs and reinvest in more expensive funded programs. Experienced prop traders can quickly rise to the top league. The main thing is to continue to follow the trading system with discipline.
For the best
The income of the best prop traders varies much wider. As a rule, the portfolio growth limit in one prop company is $1,000,000 - 2,000,000. When it is reached, horizontal expansion begins with the help of other companies. Unlike beginners, there are no difficulties with financing in the major league. Expensive challenges speed up the path. In addition, the best traders receive the most favorable conditions. This applies to scaling programs, profit distribution proportions. The average monthly income here starts from $20,000 - 25,000. And there is almost no upper limit.
