How Much Do Esports Players Earn?

A comprehensive guide on how much do esports players earn, including tournament winnings, salaries, sponsorships, and more.

Salaries By Game

A recent study showed that the average esports player earns more than $60,000 per year. The highest-paid player in the world, however, earns over $1 million. The game with the highest-paid players is Dota 2, with an average salary of $316,000 per year.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

CS:GO is one of the most popular esports games in the world, with a large professional scene and millions of enthusiasts worldwide. But how much do professional CS:GO players earn?

Well, it depends. Like most things in esports, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some players make millions of dollars per year, while others may only earn a few thousand. However, most professional CS:GO players do earn a comfortable salary, especially compared to the average worker.

According to one estimate, the median salary for a CS:GO pro is around $60,000 per year. Of course, this number varies depending on factors like tournament winnings, sponsorship deals, and streaming income. The very top players can easily earn seven-figure salaries.

So if you’re thinking about becoming a professional CS:GO player, you can likely expect to earn a fairly decent salary. Of course, like with any job, your mileage may vary.

Dota 2

While the top salaries in Dota 2 hover around $3 million, the average player only pulls in about $60,000 per year. Most of these salaries come from tournament winnings, with larger organizations providing base salaries and winnings bonuses. The largest prize pools in Dota 2 history have been in excess of $24 million. The record-holding event is The International 8, which was held in 2018.

League of Legends

League of Legends is one of the most popular competitive games in the world, with millions of players around the world battling it out to be the best. But how much do professional League of Legends players earn?

There is no one definitive answer, as salaries can vary widely depending on a number of factors. For example, players in North America tend to earn more than those in other regions, due to the higher amount of prize money and sponsorship opportunities available in that region. Likewise, top-tier players will almost always earn more than those lower down the ranks.

That said, a report from Forbes in 2018 suggested that the average salary for a League of Legends player was $316,000 per year. Of course, this is just an average – some players will earn much more than this, while others will earn less.

Salaries By Team

The best way to compare salaries among teams is to look at the median salaries for each position. For example, the median salary for an ADC in NA Academy is $75,000, while the median salary for an ADC in the LEC is $105,000. Here is a full list of median salaries by position in each league.

Cloud9

Cloud9 is an American esports organization, They have rosters in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Apex Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG Mobile, Hearthstone, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Rocket League.

Cloud9’s CS:GO team is one of the most popular teams in the world and has won multiple championships. The team’s League of Legends roster is also one of the most successful in North America, having won the 2018 North American League of Legends Championship Series.

The average salary for Cloud9’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team is $1.8 million per year. The average salary for their League of Legends team is $1.7 million per year.

Evil Geniuses

One of the most iconic and well-known teams in all of esports, Evil Geniuses has a long history of success across a variety of games. With victories at The International 2015 and 2018 in Dota 2, as well asfirst-place finishes at CS:GO Major events in 2015 and 2016, Evil Geniuses is one of the most decorated organizations in all of gaming.

As of 2019, Evil Geniuses has an estimated value of $41 million, making it the fourth most valuable esports organization in the world. Its current roster includes some of the biggest names in Dota 2, CS:GO, and Apex Legends.

According to numerous sources, Evil Geniuses is one of the highest-paying esports organizations in the world. Its players are said to earn an average salary of $865k per year, with some stars earning upwards of $1 million per year.

Fnatic

Fnatic is a professional esports organization headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 2004 with the aim to become the world’s leading esports team. The team has players from around the world, across a variety of games, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Heroes of the Storm, League of Legends and Overwatch.

As of May 2019, the organization is one of the most successful and well-known esports brands in the world, having won a record seven League of Legends World Championships. In addition to this, Fnatic has also won numerous other championships across different games over the years.

In terms of salaries, Fnatic reportedly pays its players a minimum salary of $2,500 per month. This includes all expenses related to housing, food and travel. In addition to this base salary, players also receive a percentage of any prize money earned by the team in tournaments and competitions.

Salaries By Country

Salaries for professional esports players can vary widely by country. In the United States, the average salary for an esports player is $60,000 per year. However, in South Korea, the average salary is $87,000 per year. Players in China earn an average of $54,000 per year.

United States

American eSports players earn a median salary of $60,000. The top earners in the United States make over $200,000 per year. The lowest earners in the United States make less than $25,000 per year.

China

The esports industry is still in its early stages, and as such, there is a great deal of variation in salaries between countries. In China, for example, the average esports player earns $5,000-$10,000 per year. This is relatively low compared to other countries, but it should be noted that the cost of living in China is also relatively low. As the esports industry matures and becomes more professionalized, it is likely that salaries will increase across the board.

South Korea

South Korea is the home of esports. It is the birthplace of some of the most successful teams and players in the world, including SK Telecom T1, a three-time world champion League of Legends team. The South Korean government recognizes esports as a legitimate sport, and players are able to obtain athlete visas.

The average salary for an esports player in South Korea is $56,000 per year. The top 10% of players earn more than $85,000 per year, while the bottom 10% earn less than $28,000.