Does Discord Pay Moderators? Unveiling the Truth About Compensation

The short and direct answer is: No, Discord Inc. does not directly pay moderators of Discord servers. Discord moderators are primarily volunteers within individual communities. However, the story doesn’t end there. While Discord itself doesn’t provide salaries, the dynamics of the platform allow for various scenarios where moderators can potentially earn an income. This article dives into the nuanced world of Discord moderation and explores the compensation landscape, providing clarity on whether and how moderators get paid.

The Volunteer Basis of Discord Moderation

The vast majority of Discord moderators serve as volunteers. They are passionate community members who dedicate their time to maintaining the health and safety of a specific server. Their responsibilities include enforcing rules, resolving conflicts, welcoming new members, and overall keeping the server a positive space. These efforts are often driven by their commitment to the community rather than monetary compensation.

Why Volunteer?

The motivations for volunteering as a Discord moderator are varied. Some common reasons include:

• Passion for the Community: Moderators often have a strong attachment to the server and want to contribute to its well-being.
• Developing Skills: Moderating offers valuable experience in conflict resolution, communication, and community management.
• Personal Growth: Taking on responsibility can be personally rewarding and a confidence booster.
• Influence: Moderators often gain respect and influence within the community.
• Giving Back: Some people simply want to contribute and make the online space better.

When Moderators DO Get Paid

Although Discord itself doesn’t pay moderators, there are instances where moderators might receive payment, though it is not the norm. These payments usually stem from the server owners (or “admins”) themselves, and it is their responsibility and initiative to pay moderators if they chose to do so. Here are some ways this can occur:

Server Admin Compensation

Server admins who require dedicated moderation and wish to offer compensation often pay moderators directly. This is generally on a contract or freelance basis. The specifics of payment are entirely at the discretion of the server admin, and this may involve:

• Hourly Wage: A set amount per hour worked.
• Monthly Stipend: A fixed payment for their service each month.
• Per-Task Payment: Compensation for specific duties performed.

The Range of Payment

The payment rates for Discord moderators, when paid, can vary widely. This depends on many factors, including:

• The Size and Activity of the Server: Larger, more active servers typically require more moderation and therefore higher compensation.
• The Moderator’s Experience: More experienced moderators can often command higher rates.
• Server Budget: The financial resources available to the server admin.

According to recent data, the 25th percentile for hourly pay for Discord moderators is around $13.46 per hour, while the 75th percentile is around $26.92 per hour. This highlights that paid moderation on Discord is not a guarantee and when it does occur, pay scales can be varied.

Discord and The Role of Its Employees

It is important to distinguish between Discord moderators and Discord employees. Discord employees are paid by Discord Inc. directly and are involved in developing the platform, managing internal teams, developing company strategy, and other tasks. This should not be confused with moderation of individual servers. Discord employees do not moderate individual servers unless they also own the servers as private individuals.

Discord does employ content moderators to ensure the overall safety and adherence to rules of the platform itself, but this is a different function than community moderators.

Opportunities for Moderators to Earn on Discord

Apart from direct payment from server admins, moderators can also explore other avenues to earn money on Discord, including:

Selling Products or Services

Moderators who have talents or products to offer can leverage their role and connections in their community to generate income by:

• Selling Digital Art: If the moderator is an artist they can easily promote and sell art through their own discord server.
• Selling Online Courses: Moderators who possess expertise can create and promote courses to server members.
• Offering Consultations: Consultants can use their Discord channel to find clients and offer advice.
• Selling physical merchandise. Moderators can sell physical products in their Discord server.
• Selling server subscriptions. Moderators can implement a paid subscription system for their discord server.

Premium Perks and Server Subscriptions

Moderators who also own servers can use Discord’s features to generate revenue. They can:

• Offer Premium Perks: Provide exclusive access or benefits to users who pay a subscription fee.
• Nitro Server Boosts: Create a subscription service for users who want to boost the quality of the server.

These options require a considerable amount of business acumen and effort but, when done right, can be very profitable.

The Importance of Discord Moderators

Regardless of compensation, the role of a Discord moderator is critical. A good moderator:

• Creates a welcoming environment: They make new members feel at home.
• Enforces Rules: Ensures that rules are followed to keep the server safe and friendly.
• Resolves Conflicts: Handles disputes and disagreements with tact and fairness.
• Protects the Community: Defends against harmful or disruptive elements.
• Maintains Server Health: Contributes to the overall positive experience of the community.

Whether they are volunteers or paid, moderators are essential to the health and well-being of any Discord community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What skills are needed to be a good Discord moderator?

Good communication skills, reliability, and an understanding of the server's rules and culture are vital. A moderator should be able to articulate themselves well, stay neutral in conflicts, and be proactive in maintaining a positive atmosphere. They also need an awareness of the specific needs and requirements of their particular community.

2. How do I become a Discord moderator?

To become a moderator, you should first be an active member of the community, engage in the chat, assist other users, and report issues to the admin. Many servers will also have a formal application process which can be submitted.

3. Is being a Discord admin better than being a moderator?

Admins have more power and control than moderators. They make decisions on the server's direction, as well as enforcing rules. However, both roles are critical to a successful community.

4. Do all Discord servers have moderators?

No, but most active communities need moderators to keep the chat friendly and civil. Smaller or casual servers may not require dedicated moderators, but larger and more active servers often depend on them to manage community dynamics.

5. Can I get a job as a professional Discord moderator for Discord Inc?

Discord does employ *content* moderators for its platform, but this is different from community moderators. You could get a job at Discord to moderate the *entire platform,* but not individual servers.

6. What qualifications do I need to become a paid Discord moderator?

While specific qualifications vary, most paid positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, exceptional communication skills, and often prior experience in online content moderation or community management.

7. How do I know if a Discord server needs moderators?

If a server is having issues with rule violations, conflicts, or an overall lack of activity, it may need more moderators to step in. If the chat becomes chaotic, hard to manage, and requires excessive admin attention, a server needs moderation assistance.

8. What is Discord etiquette?

Respectful communication is key. Avoid talking over others, allow ongoing conversations to continue naturally before joining in, and keep communication clear and polite. Be mindful of how your actions and comments impact others.

9. How much does a Discord server cost to start?

Setting up a Discord server is free. The Discord platform can be utilized for free. Paid features such as server boosts are optional.

10. Do chat moderators get paid?

Yes, chat moderators in a professional setting are usually paid. The average hourly rate is around $23.80 per hour as of late 2023, but this varies depending on the company and job requirements.

11. Is being a moderator considered a real job?

While many moderators are volunteers, professional content moderators are hired by companies and often work for social media platforms to ensure community rules are followed.

12. What is the average salary of a Discord employee?

Discord salaries vary significantly. The average yearly pay range from about $43,000 for customer service to about $222,000 for management. The specific pay depends on the role and responsibilities of the employee.

13. Does Discord make money?

Yes, Discord generates revenue, but currently, it is not a profitable company. The company is expanding rapidly, and its income will likely increase as the platform develops and matures.

14. What are some different types of moderator jobs?

There are several roles within moderation including community moderators, content moderators, chat moderators, forum moderators, and more. Each role has unique responsibilities but shares the core purpose of ensuring a positive online environment.

15. How can I become a better moderator?

Actively listen to community members, stay calm and neutral during conflicts, be fair in your decisions, and always look for ways to improve. It helps to consistently update yourself on community policies and develop your communication skills, as well as to seek advice from experienced moderators.

In conclusion, while Discord itself doesn’t directly pay server moderators, opportunities exist for compensation from server admins, or through various other entrepreneurial activities. The key point is, whether paid or volunteer, the role of a moderator is extremely important in fostering a successful and positive online community.