Have you ever thought about transforming your passion for gaming into a full-fledged career? While this idea might have seemed far-fetched in the past, now could be the ideal time to consider a bold new path. Thanks to platforms like Twitch and the booming world of competitive gaming, esports has become a viable way to earn a living—and even win substantial prize money.
Still unsure? Just look at Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf, who walked away with an incredible $3 million after his victory in the Fortnite World Cup. Let’s dive into the remarkable earnings of some of the top competitors in esports.
What are the Typical Earnings in Esports?
In esports, player income generally comes from two sources: tournament prize money and salaries. Tournament winnings reward players for victories, while in some professional esports leagues, players sign contracts with teams and earn a salary to compete. Many contracted players also receive bonuses for winning league championships.
In 2019, the median earnings for esports players were $673, based on data from 3,433 tournaments and 19,567 players. While this figure may seem modest, the average earnings paint a different picture—at $8,885.75, it highlights that top-level players earn substantially more than the average competitor in the industry.
What were the Highest Esports Earnings in 2024?
In 2024, Jesse Vainikka, known in the esports world as “JerAx,” topped the earnings leaderboard, bringing in an impressive $3,162,536.20 for the year. All players in the top 10 surpassed $1 million in earnings, with the 100th-ranked player earning $199,766.94.
Among the top 500 earners, the highest 100 made most of their income through major and medium-scale tournaments, while the lowest 100 are largely salaried players in esports leagues. For instance, player number 500 earned $53,834.25, while player number 401 earned $61,510.42.
This clearly shows that reaching the top 100 isn’t achieved by winning small events alone; it’s the high-stakes competitions that lead to the biggest payouts in esports.
What are the All-time Top Earnings in Esports?
Pinpointing the highest earnings in esports can be tricky. While competitive gaming has roots dating back to the 1980s, comprehensive tracking of esports earnings is a fairly recent development. Some early players may have earned considerably more than today’s stars, but without verifiable records, we have to rely on current data.
It’s also important to remember that many pro players earn a substantial part of their income from sponsorships, which generally aren’t counted with tournament winnings.
As it stands, Johan Sundstein, also known as “N0tail,” tops the earnings list with $6,889,591.79 in total prize money. In fact, each of the top 10 esports earners has amassed over $3.5 million in tournament winnings alone.
Which Esports Game Brings in the Highest Earnings?
If big prize money is your goal, Dota 2 is the game to play. Among the top 50 highest-earning players, 44 accumulated most of their winnings through Dota 2, with all of the top 10 and 29 of the top 30 earners also gaining their wealth from the game. Given Dota 2’s role in popularizing esports, it’s no surprise that it remains one of the most profitable competitive titles.
The only other games to appear among the top 50 earners are Fortnite and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, with three players each earning their primary winnings from those games. In the top 100, League of Legends is the main source of income for four players, and interestingly, one player made most of their earnings on Shadowverse, adding a unique entry to the list.
How Much do Players Earn from Fortnite Esports?
Although relatively new, Fortnite is fast becoming one of the most lucrative esports games globally. Following his win at the Fortnite World Cup, Kyle Giersdorf now ranks as the 12th highest-earning esports player ever, with this single tournament win as his standout achievement.
As of 2019, Fortnite doesn’t have a formal professional league, so players don’t receive salaries for competing. However, the game’s massive popularity has led to impressive prize pools. To date, nearly $83 million has been awarded across 495 Fortnite tournaments worldwide.
Among the top 25 Fortnite earners, those ranked between 21st and 25th have each made at least $415,000. In the top 500, players within the lowest 300 spots have earnings ranging from $61,900 down to $18,225.
How Much do Players Earn in Overwatch Esports?
Among the top 500 highest-earning esports players, none have made their fortunes through Overwatch. While Overwatch enjoys massive popularity, its esports prize earnings are currently more limited due to the structure of the professional Overwatch League.
The Overwatch League offers a solid opportunity for players, guaranteeing a minimum salary of $50,000 plus a share of winnings from league titles. However, because the league restricts the number of participants, the overall prize money in Overwatch remains relatively low compared to other major esports titles.
How Much do Players Make in League of Legends Esports?
League of Legends prize earnings are generally on the lower side due to the existence of a structured professional league. However, League of Legends offers higher earnings than Overwatch thanks to the wider range of tournaments available to players. Across 2,387 tournaments, more than $70.5 million has been awarded in prize money.
Among the top League of Legends players, the top 10 have earned between $540,411.20 and $1,228,281.90. For players ranked 91st to 100th, earnings fall between $135,306.40 and $146,744.95. Meanwhile, players ranked in the bottom 300 of the top 500 have earned between $23,060.05 and $68,189.02.
What Essential Gear and Skills are Needed to Compete in Esports?
To compete in esports, two essentials are key: a strong competitive spirit and a high-performance gaming rig. Your setup should feature top-of-the-line processors to ensure optimal gameplay without the risk of lag or crashes due to overheating. Since most esports events favor tower desktops, consider a custom-built gaming PC featuring the latest and greatest if money is no object but a balanced build could be just as good. Ask me in the comments if you need help with your gaming PC buying decisions.
