Gamer Guides

Guide: 8 steps to earn more money in GTA Online

Everybody who plays GTA Online knows: money makes you happy! Want to earn money in GTA Online to buy the newest cars and weapons? We’ve created an 8-step guide that takes you from beginner to millionaire in GTA Online.

Updated on: 01-05-2026 Author: Merel

Active vs. passive income in GTA Online

Generally speaking, there are two ways to earn money in GTA Online: active and passive. Active income is hands-on work that’ll earn you cash instantly. Examples are Daily Challenges, missions, and quick jobs. Passive income is earned by possessing a business that’ll earn you money in the background, without actively working for it. 

Passive income can generally earn you a lot more money, but it’ll take some work to get to that point. That’s why we’ve created this 8-step plan that’ll make you a GTA Online pro.

Instantly go to your GTA level:

Beginner: active income hustle

Growing a fortune has to start somewhere. In GTA, this means completing lots of missions and challenges.

Step 1. Do Daily Challenges

Earnings: 150.000 dollars daily

Every day you get a chance to earn 150.000 dollars in GTA Online! New challenges arise daily in the game and provide an easy way to earn cash. These objectives usually ask you to participate in a specific activity, such as a race, a survival mode, or a deathmatch. 

You’ll find the Daily Challenges under the Interaction Menu under the Challenges section.

Step 2. Complete easy missions 

Earnings: from 18.360 to 22.500 dollars

A great way to make a quick buck in GTA Online is by completing simple missions. We’ve listed the easiest missions that also pay well below:

  • Pier Pressure (18.360 dollars or more): break up a meeting under the pier. 
  • Rooftop Rumble (max 22.500 dollars): interrupt a meeting between the FIB and the Professionals.
  • Judging the Jury (max 21.900 dollars): take out a big number of targets.
  • Blow Up (max 18.720 dollars): destroy some vehicles around the city.

Step 3. Move to more advanced heists (Cayo Perico Heist)

Earnings: 6 million dollars or more

The Cayo Perico Heist is probably the most lucrative mission in GTA Online. This heist was added to the game in 2020, and the goal is to take down six targets, each worth over a million dollars. Plus, you can make some extra money by stealing items along the way. 

The Cayo Perico Heist is easily replayable, and you can do this one solo, so you don’t have to rely on anyone else.

Advanced: build your passive income imperium

Once you’ve earned enough money from heists and missions, it’s time to start buying some businesses.

Step 4: Buy Auto Shops and Salvage Yards

Earnings: 250 dollars daily, plus up to 50.000 dollars for completing tasks

Saved up a bit of money? Buying an Auto Shop or Salvage Yard in GTA Online could be your first step to riches! Once you own one of these businesses, money will come in on a daily basis. 

With an Auto Shop, you earn a standard income of 250 dollars a day and can repair and upgrade customers' cars for a sizable reward. With a Salvage Yard, you get between 30.000 and 50.000 dollars for every car you tow back to your shop.

Step 5: Join Motorcycle Clubs

Earnings: between 18.000 and 34.000 dollars

If you don’t mind getting your hands a little dirty, you can also opt for a Motorcycle Club. The biker business allows you to earn money by counterfeiting cash, selling drugs, and forging documents. Play your cards right, and this business might end up making you between 18.000 and 34.000 dollars on a regular basis.

Step 6: Purchase an Agency

Earnings: 250 dollars daily, plus 150.000 or more for completing tasks

When you purchase an Agency, you get access to the profitable contracts from Franklin Clinton and his associates. Fulfil Security Contracts, Payphone Hits and VIP Contracts to earn as much as 150.000 or even more. 

Aside from that, an Agency has a passive way of making money, earning you 250 dollars per in-game day!

Pro: secure your wealth

Once you’ve acquired enough businesses, all you have to do is keep the cash stream coming.

Step 7: Get your own Nightclub

Earnings: from 50.000 dollars per night

A Nightclub might be the most lucrative business in GTA Online, because it can earn you 50.000 dollars every night! A Nightclub also has technicians you can train to work in different fields, such as Sporting Goods, Organic Produce, and Cash Creation. This will create an extra income of up to 13.500 dollars per hour.

Step 8: Buy a Bunker

Earnings: up to 90.000 dollars an hour

A Bunker is definitely a great asset to have in GTA Online. This business not only provides you with a steady passive income, but it also gives you a place to customise and upgrade your weapons. If you play your cards right, the Bunker could potentially earn you up to 90.000 dollars an hour. With that kind of money, you’ll be a millionaire before you know it.

GTA Online Cash cheat code: Shark Cards

Need some GTA Cash now? Shark Cards are the way to go. This in-game credit gets you money instantly without endlessly grinding for it. Buy your GTA Shark Cards for PlayStation, Xbox or Steam now at Startselect and show Los Santos who’s boss!

Megalodon Shark Card GTA Online (Xbox One)
£74.99
{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Offer","priceCurrency":"GBP","price":"74.99","url":"https:\/\/startselect.com\/gb-en\/grand-theft-auto-online-megalodon-shark-cash-card-xbox-one-xbox-one\/31845"}
Bull Shark Card GTA Online (Xbox One)
£7.49
{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Offer","priceCurrency":"GBP","price":"7.49","url":"https:\/\/startselect.com\/gb-en\/bull-shark-card-gta-online-xbox-one\/31842"}
Great White Shark Card GTA Online (Xbox One)
£14.99
{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Offer","priceCurrency":"GBP","price":"14.99","url":"https:\/\/startselect.com\/gb-en\/grand-theft-auto-online-great-white-shark-cash-card-xbox-one-xbox-one\/31843"}
Whale Shark Card GTA Online (Xbox One)
£37.99
{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Offer","priceCurrency":"GBP","price":"37.99","url":"https:\/\/startselect.com\/gb-en\/grand-theft-auto-online-whale-shark-cash-card-xbox-one-xbox-one\/31844"}
 


About the author: Merel is a true cozy- and puzzle game lover and has logged countless hours in Stardew Valley and Professor Layton on the Switch. She has a subscription to (almost) every streaming platform imaginable and a severe online shopping addiction.

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