Table of Contents

How Much Does Discord Pay You?

The answer to “How much does Discord pay you?” is multifaceted. It depends entirely on how you are interacting with the platform. Discord itself directly pays its employees, with salaries varying significantly based on roles, experience, and location. It also facilitates payments to server owners through Server Subscriptions. Finally, individuals can earn money as Discord moderators, either employed by Discord or by individual servers. Let’s break down each of these avenues.

Discord’s employee compensation, according to reports, averages around $104,283 annually, or over $50 per hour. However, this is just an average. Entry-level positions might start around $63,000 per year, while top-tier engineering roles can exceed $171,000 per year, and even far beyond that.

For server owners, Discord offers the Server Subscriptions feature, allowing them to monetize their communities. Creators retain 90% of the revenue from subscriptions, minus processing fees, providing a direct income stream based on the value they provide to their members. This lets them create exclusive content and access through unique server perks.

Moderators, the backbone of many Discord communities, may or may not be paid. Paid moderator positions exist, either directly employed by Discord, or more commonly contracted by individual servers. The reported average salary for a Discord moderator is around $50,512 per year. However, moderation is often a volunteer role, driven by passion for the community. Paid moderator roles are highly dependent on experience and the size/needs of a particular server.

Understanding Discord’s Payment Ecosystem

Discord’s approach to compensating individuals reflects its hybrid nature: a communication platform, a social hub, and an increasingly powerful tool for community building and monetization. Understanding this ecosystem is key to answering the question of how much you can earn on Discord.

Employee Salaries at Discord

Discord’s internal operations require a wide range of professionals, from software engineers and designers to marketing specialists and community managers. Salary ranges reflect the skills and experience required for these diverse roles:

Software Engineers: These positions are highly sought after and typically command the highest salaries, often exceeding $200,000+ per year for senior roles, including stock and bonuses. The reported highest paying role at Discord is Software Engineering Manager with a yearly total compensation of $607,500.
Designers: UX/UI designers and graphic designers play a crucial role in shaping the Discord experience. Salaries for these roles can range from $80,000 to $150,000+ per year, depending on experience and skill level.
Community Managers: These individuals are responsible for fostering and managing Discord’s online communities. Salaries for community managers typically range from $60,000 to $100,000+ per year.
Moderators: While the average is around $50,512 per year, this figure is skewed by volunteer positions. Paid moderator positions within Discord itself likely offer competitive salaries, especially for senior roles. However, it’s crucial to note the large range in hourly wages, from as low as $5.53 to as high as $172.12; and typically ranging between $8.41 (25th percentile) to $36.06 (75th percentile) across the United States, according to ZipRecruiter.

Server Subscriptions and Creator Monetization

Discord’s Server Subscriptions feature is a game-changer for content creators and community builders. It allows them to directly monetize their servers by offering exclusive perks and content to paying subscribers.

Revenue Split: Creators receive 90% of the subscription revenue, minus processing fees. This is a generous split compared to other platforms and provides a strong incentive for creators to build thriving communities.
Subscription Tiers: Creators can offer multiple subscription tiers with varying levels of benefits, allowing them to cater to different segments of their audience. This provides a great deal of flexibility.
Payout Providers: Discord uses third-party Payout Providers to handle payments to server owners. Users may be entering a direct relationship with the Payout Provider upon creating an account with them.

The amount a server owner can earn through Server Subscriptions depends entirely on the size and engagement of their community, as well as the value they offer to subscribers. Some creators generate a modest supplemental income, while others earn a substantial living.

Paid Moderator Positions on Discord

Moderators are the unsung heroes of Discord communities. They ensure that servers remain safe, welcoming, and engaging for all members. While many moderators are volunteers, paid positions are becoming increasingly common, especially in larger and more active communities.

Responsibilities: Paid moderators are typically responsible for enforcing server rules, resolving disputes, managing community events, and providing support to members.
Compensation: The hourly pay for paid moderators varies widely, typically ranging from $13.46 to $26.92 per hour. However, as the ZipRecruiter data indicates, some roles can pay significantly more, depending on the server, responsibilities, and experience required.
Finding Opportunities: Paid moderator positions can be found on job boards, Discord communities, and directly through server owners.

Alternatives: Indirect Monetization and Leveraging Discord for Other Income Streams

Beyond direct payments from Discord or server owners, individuals can leverage the platform to generate income indirectly:

Promoting Products or Services: Discord servers can be used to promote products, services, or affiliate links. Creators can build a community around their brand and drive sales through targeted promotions.
Building a Personal Brand: Discord is an excellent platform for building a personal brand and connecting with potential clients or customers. Freelancers, consultants, and entrepreneurs can use Discord to showcase their expertise and build relationships.
Content Creation and Streaming: Discord is a natural complement to platforms like Twitch and YouTube. Streamers and content creators can use Discord to engage with their audience, promote their content, and build a loyal following. For instance, integrating discussions about game design on a Discord server could complement content showcased at the Games Learning Society website.

Discord’s Financial Performance and Outlook

Understanding Discord’s overall financial health provides context for its ability to pay employees and support creator monetization.

Revenue: Discord’s annual revenue in 2022 amounted to approximately $220 million from its paid subscriptions.
User Base: Discord boasts a massive user base of 154 million monthly active users as of January 2023.
Net Worth: Discord’s estimated net worth as of February 2023 was $15 billion.

While Discord is not yet profitable, its strong revenue growth and massive user base indicate significant potential for future profitability and continued investment in its platform and ecosystem.

FAQs: Getting Paid on Discord

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the ways you can earn money on Discord:

Can I get paid directly by Discord? Yes, if you are hired as an employee. Salaries vary based on your role and experience.
How do Discord server owners make money? Through Server Subscriptions, allowing members to pay for access to exclusive perks and content.
What percentage of Server Subscription revenue does Discord take? Discord takes only 10%, with the creator retaining the remaining 90% (minus processing fees).
How do I become eligible for Server Subscription payouts? By creating an account with a third-party Payout Provider integrated with Discord.
Are Discord moderators paid? It depends. Some moderators are volunteers, while others are paid by Discord or individual server owners.
What are the responsibilities of a paid Discord moderator? Enforcing rules, resolving disputes, managing community events, and providing support to members.
Where can I find paid Discord moderator jobs? Job boards, Discord communities, and directly through server owners.
What skills are needed to be a successful Discord moderator? Strong communication skills, attention to detail, patience, and a commitment to community well-being.
How much can I earn as a Discord moderator? Typically from $13.46 to $26.92 per hour, but this varies significantly depending on the server and responsibilities.
Is it difficult to become a Discord moderator? It can be challenging, especially finding new moderators who are trustworthy, knowledgeable, and available.
What is Discord Nitro, and does it affect how much I can earn? Discord Nitro is a paid subscription that unlocks additional features for individual users. It doesn’t directly affect how much you can earn, but it can enhance your experience and capabilities on the platform, potentially leading to indirect income opportunities.
Can I use Discord to promote my own products or services? Absolutely. Discord is an excellent platform for building a community around your brand and driving sales.
Does Discord pay streamers directly? Discord does not pay streamers directly for streaming on the platform. However, they can leverage Discord to engage with their audience and promote their streams, which can lead to increased viewership and revenue on platforms like Twitch or YouTube.
What is the minimum age to use Discord? The minimum age to use Discord is 13, unless local legislation mandates an older age.
How do I get started making money on Discord? Start by building a thriving community around your passion or expertise, offer valuable content or services, and explore the various monetization options outlined above.

Discord offers a range of opportunities for individuals to earn money, from traditional employment to creator monetization and community moderation. By understanding the platform’s ecosystem and leveraging its features effectively, you can unlock your earning potential on Discord.