Making it big is the ultimate goal for any aspiring porn star. But if you’re a guy, can you actually expect a juicy paycheck each month, and how much do male porn stars make in reality?

While there’s no clear-cut answer to these questions, we’ve looked into different factors that affect the earning potential of men in the industry. So, in this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the following:

Let’s begin!

Do Male Porn Actors Earn More Than Female Stars (And Why Not)?

Unlike other industries, the gender pay gap in porn favors female stars. Namely, women earn between $200 and $1200 more per scene than their male colleagues.

This gap shouldn’t surprise you, though. Guys may be responsible for most of the creaming in mainstream porn, but it’s the ladies who are the cream of the crop.

However, if you’re a man trying to cash in your trouser talent, don’t let these stats discourage you. After all, how much you can rake in largely depends on how much you’re willing to put in — literally and figuratively.

Besides, a key factor that works in male performers’ favor is that their careers last longer on average.

Even though it’s easier for women to enter the industry, a large percentage quit after a few movies, while their male co-stars tend to stick around (and stick it in) for decades.

How Much Do Male Porn Stars Make?

Of course, salaries in the porn industry aren’t one-size-fits-all. Many factors will decide between making a few bucks and killing it as a male porn actor, such as:

  • Your fame and following
  • How flexible you are with the type of scenes you’re willing to take on
  • How consistent you are with creating content

But let’s crunch some numbers.

According to available data, male porn performers make $41,000/year on average in the Land of the Free.

Knowing that the national average across all professions is $71,456, this number is a major boner killer. Obviously, it’s a problem for anyone who earns a living from long-lasting erections.

The global average salary for male porn stars is even lower — $28,000/year. However, compared to the world’s annual earnings ($19,251), the numbers seem more hopeful.

As for individual scenes, most guys can expect between $500 and $900. On the other hand, the top 10% will rake in up to $1,500 for a single shoot.

For example, a legendary pornstar, Johnny Sins, boasts a whopping $5 million net worth, and he made $218,073 just in 2020. That’s something to look up to, but the silver lining doesn’t end there.

Namely, porn stars don’t just make money from shoots. They earn from a variety of other methods — OnlyFans, Pornhub, camming platforms like Chaturbate, and more.

It all adds up like in a good bukkake flick, and after a while, the money starts overflowing.

How Much Does a Male Porn Star Make on Onlyfans?

Like elsewhere in porn, female creators outshine their male colleagues on OnlyFans. Namely, men pocket just under 60% of what ladies get.

Specifically, the average earnings for men on this platform are only $100-$200. However, the inactive accounts dilute the numbers, making it seem like more of a turn-off than it actually is.

In fact, active creators who monetize their content get between $1,000 and $3,000 a month. On top of that, the platform’s top dogs earn up to $50,000.

Another fact to consider is that only around 20% of creators on the site are guys. However, 30% of the top 1% earners are male, which means you have nothing to lose and plenty to gain if you give OnlyFans a go.

How Much Do Porn Actors Make on Pornhub?

So, we know that guys are 3 times more likely than gals to receive oral sex on Pornhub. But how does this gender inequality stack up against receiving gigantic wads of cash?

Generally, your earnings on Pornhub will depend on how much blood, sweat, and jizz you’re willing to give. For those ready to get their grindset on, the platform offers a buttload of ways to profit from homemade smut.

But if we get down to numbers, the yearly pay range estimate on Pornhub is between $44,000 and $83,000, regardless of gender. Next, the average RPM (revenue per mile, or how much you make for 1000 views) for 2021 was $0.66.

If these amounts seem off-putting, remember that the platform’s monthly visits measure in billions, meaning there are heaps of cash flying around. And you can grab a good chunk of that money by standing out from the crowd.

Women may rule the porn world, but men can earn just as much (or more) if they cater to a passionate audience with specific tastes. Namely, fetishes are a perfect way to gain more views, so consider niching down to get that precious following.

Yep, getting creative isn’t just for art class. In the adult industry, it can also make you a whole lot of dough.

How Much Do Male Porn Stars Make on Chaturbate?

If you think ladies rule Chaturbate as well, you’re right. Still, that doesn’t mean that guys can’t find their spot under the sun (and in front of the camera).

However, it does mean you’ll have to work harder and smarter. Also, keep in mind that you’ll likely be performing for other guys.

Yes, if you’re gay or don’t mind being watched by other dudes, your future on Chaturbate is promising.

Collabs are another way of making it big. While it’s true that men earn less than solo women, couples can out-earn ladies fourfold.

To get a sense of how much money we’re talking about, couples can make from $1,000 to $10,000 a day.

So if you’re not confident in your ability to earn as a solo male performer, find a partner to get freaky with. Your audience will thank you, and so will your wallet!

How Much Do Average Male Porn Stars Make in Total?

After going over the totals, let’s break the numbers down.

If we go by US figures, the average porn star takes home around $3,400 a month from shoots alone. If he’s active on OnlyFans, let’s (pessimistically) give him another $1,000.

Let’s also assume that he’s got a good amount of content on Pornhub. Conservatively, that nets him an additional $3,600.

All of this adds up to well over $8,000 a month — nothing to joke about. And if he also does camming here and there (impossible to predict), he’ll be earning even more!

How Much Do Gay Porn Performers Make?

As it turns out, it’s not all sunshine and roses (or rosebuds) in gay porn either. Here, too, we have a whopping pay gap, with newbies getting as little as $300 per scene.

That’s why in 2020, an American porn star, Joey Mills, raised his voice at the injustice, urging porn newcomers to charge at least $1,000 per film. At the same time, he threw shade at studios for exploiting inexperienced talent.

And that’s not the only inequality in gay porn. In fact, tops make more dough than their bottom co-stars.

That being said, tops are rarer and have to work harder (pun intended). So, if you like sticking it to other guys (or are open to the possibility), you may have a bright future here.

All in all, gay porn performers annually earn from $30,000 to $12,000 — quite a range.

And when we consider the additional income from platforms such as OnlyFans, Clips4Sale, and FanCentro, which can be anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 per year, it doesn’t seem so bad in the gay porn world.

How to Maximize Your Income as a Male Porn Performer?

There are as many paths to success as there are pornstars. However, whether you’re doing pro work, camming, uploading to Pornhub, or starting your own company, you should make a career on OnlyFans your end goal.

That platform has revolutionized the industry, letting independent performers potentially rake in millions without having to play by porn studios’ rules.

As a result, doing some porn, getting famous, then starting an OnlyFans has been a tried-and-true method for getting rich for years now.

Iconic female porn stars like Mia Khalifa and Abella Danger have done it, dudes like King Tommy, Gunnar Stone, and Paul Wagner have pulled it off, and so can you.

Even better, you can still shoot conventional porn on the side, growing your fame and making even more from your OnlyFans. It’s the very definition of win-win.

Finally, consider launching a model website. It may sound like a hassle and require a fair bit of upkeep, but it’ll be more than worth it in the long run.

This additional revenue source will give you the creative freedom you won’t find elsewhere, and, best of all — you get to keep 100% of what you make, which is impossible with any major platform.

Besides, even if you’re not tech-savvy, you need not worry! With website themes such as ModelX, anyone can show off their talent on their personal website, with zero hassle.

Let’s conclude with two cents from the great Franco Roccaforte: (The secret to a long career is) The ability to reinvent yourself. Porn is a fast-moving industry: genres change, styles change, income streams change. Today, for example, you have social networks instead of big companies. Right now, the best way to work in porn is to market yourself.

The Takeaway

As a man trying to make it in this female-dominated field, don’t let the gender pay gap cock-block you. After all, the future is in your hands (and pants).

In the end, how much you can make as a male porn star depends on your creativity and dedication. Keep at it, watch out for what’s in demand, and the fat stacks will start coming in before you can say jizz!