What "Success" Actually Looks Like
Forget the $50K payout screenshots on social media. Here's what the data shows for the minority who actually make it to the payout stage:
Average Payouts by Account Size
| Account | Avg Payout (4%) | After 80/20 Split | After 90/10 Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50K | $2,000 | $1,600 | $1,800 |
| $100K | $4,000 | $3,200 | $3,600 |
| $150K | $6,000 | $4,800 | $5,400 |
Based on FPFX Tech's finding of ~4% average payout as percentage of funded account size.
These are averages for the people who actually receive payouts — the top 7%. Monthly payouts are not guaranteed. Most firms require hitting a minimum profit threshold and maintaining the account above drawdown limits before you can withdraw.
How Long Does Passing Actually Take?
The marketing says "pass in a day." The reality:
Use our Eval Challenge Calculator to estimate your personal timeline based on actual firm rules and your trading stats.
Income Expectations by Year
Year 1: Net Negative
Most traders spend more on fees, resets, and tools than they earn in payouts. Budget for this.
Year 2: Break-Even (Maybe)
A small percentage reach break-even. If you're here, you're already in the top ~20% of all who attempted.
Year 3+: Modest Income
Consistent traders might earn $1,000-$3,000/month from one or two funded accounts. Not a full living wage in most developed countries, but supplemental income.
The "screenshot millionaires" on social media are extreme outliers. For every trader posting a $20K payout, there are hundreds who never received a single dollar. This is survivorship bias at work — we cover it in detail.
The Compounding Problem
One fundamental difference between prop trading and personal account trading: prop accounts don't compound.
- You trade the firm's capital, not your own growing balance
- Profits are withdrawn, not reinvested into your account size
- Scaling plans exist but require long track records of consistency
- You're essentially a contractor earning a variable wage, not building equity
With a personal $50K account and 3% monthly returns, you'd have $87K after 18 months (compounding). With a prop $50K account and the same returns, you'd have taken home payouts totaling ~$25K (80% split) but your account size stays the same.
Running multiple accounts at multiple firms increases income potential but also multiplies the complexity, fees, mental load, and risk of rule violations.
What the Top 5% Actually Do Differently
The consistent minority shares common traits:
Trade Less, Not More
2-5 high-quality setups per day. Not 20 mediocre ones. Multiple studies show that the most active traders have the worst risk-adjusted returns.
Strict Risk Management
1-2% risk per trade maximum. Personal daily stop-loss stricter than the firm's. Use our Risk of Ruin Calculator to find your safe level.
Detailed Journaling
Every trade logged with reason for entry, exit, and emotional state. If you can't articulate why you took a trade, you shouldn't have taken it.
Business Mindset
Track P&L, expenses, and true hourly rate. Use our Tracker and run regular performance reviews.
Sources
- FPFX Tech analysis — Finance Magnates
- Topstep payout data — Topstep
- Prop Firm Pass Rates — FunderPro
- Prop Trading Persistence — Quantified Strategies