If you're considering day trading, you're likely doing so to make some money. But how much do day traders actually make? Is day trading really profitable? And how does day trading income work? Let's find out.
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If you're considering day trading, you're likely doing so to make some money. But how much do day traders actually make? Is day trading really profitable? And how does day trading income work? Let's find out.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about the average income of day traders, how profits are made, and how you can increase your earning potential as a day trader.
Day trading is when you buy and sell financial instruments within the same trading day, with the aim of profiting from small price movements. You close all positions before the market closes.
Day trading typically involves technical analysis, chart patterns and price action strategies, which help you to make quick and data-driven decisions.
Although you can trade using your own capital, many day traders opt for prop firms and trade with simulated funds or funded accounts. This can help minimise risk, as with day trading prop firms, you only lose what you put in. However, there are usually strict risk management rules to stick to, as well as certain criteria to meet to pass the initial evaluation stage.
You can learn more about prop trading in our helpful guide to prop trading.
One size does not fit all when it comes to day trading. There are a range of different types of day traders, specialising based on strategies, markets and timeframes.
Some of the different types include scalpers, momentum traders, swing traders (short-term) and news traders.
Unlike salaried careers, day trading profits depend on performance instead of hours worked. This means that if your trades don't perform well, you could end up with nothing.
Some factors that can affect the amount you earn day trading include:
Prop trading is one of the fastest ways to profit from prop trading. With prop firms like Hola Prime, you can trade simulated capital of up to $300,000 and retain up to 95% of your profits.
Experience Level | Average Daily Profit | Notes |
Beginner (0–1 year) | -$10 to $50 | You may not earn much to begin with (until you grow your skills) |
Intermediate (1–3 years) | $50–$250 | Some begin to find consistent setups |
Professional (3+ years) | $250–$1,000+ | Often trading with larger accounts or prop firm funding |
Please note that these figures are just for an example. Profits can vary significantly depending on market conditions, capital, and your trading experience and skillset.
Here’s an example of how much you may make per month as a day trader:
As a beginner, you may not earn much to begin with – but working with a prop firm means you will not lose more than you put in. As your confidence and skill levels grow, you may start to find consistent setups – and you can start trading with larger accounts and get more prop firm funding.
If you're based in the United States, any trades held less than a year are taxed as ordinary income. The rate you get taxed depends on your tax bracket, but you may be taxed up to 37%. Long-term capital gains aren't usually relevant for day traders, as you'll be closing positions on the same day.
One option is to qualify for Trader Tax Status (TTS) - which can allow deductions for expenses such as trading software, home office costs, subscriptions and more.
Make sure you keep accurate trade logs – this is a must for IRS reporting.
Tip for global readers: Tax rules differ by country. Always check local regulations or consult a tax professional to optimize your trading profits.
Yes, you can make a living as a day trader. However, this will not happen overnight. Making a living through day trading takes skills and emotional control, and many traders spend a year or two developing their techniques before seeing sustainable profits.
Many day traders choose to start part-time or use simulated funding through prop firms to build experience without financial risk.
Tip – to succeed in making a living as a day trader, start treating day trading like a business. Track your performance, manage risk effectively, and focus on steady growth as opposed to quick wins.
For more tips on how to earn more, check out our futures day trading strategies.
If you’re ready to start day trading but don’t have much capital to work with, consider going with a funded program.
With Hola Prime, you can:
Apply for Hola Prime’s forex account today to start trading with simulated capital.
Sam Saleh, a London-based trader, began his trading journey at 19 while studying Business at the University of Bedfordshire. With expertise in trading and a background in marketing, he now coaches at Hola Prime, where he develops educational content aimed at building trader confidence, consistency, and financial literacy.
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