How Much Can You Really Make on Forex per Month — Myths & Truth

How Much Can You Really Make on Forex per Month — Myths & Truth

Most U.S. retail forex traders earn between 1% and 5% per month using disciplined strategies. Here’s why chasing 20%+ often ends in losses, not riches.
Forex sounds like a dream.
Millions of beginners flock to the market with hopes of making 10–20% monthly returns, only to discover the harsh reality: over 70% lose money.

So, how much can you actually earn on Forex in 2025?
This article strips away hype and gives you the facts.

How Much Can You Really Make on Forex per Month — Myths & Truth

What Most Traders Actually Earn

Let’s get honest: profitable traders are rare. Statistics show that only around 30% of retail traders consistently make money.
The rest lose — and often lose fast. Reasons vary: lack of knowledge, overconfidence, greed, poor risk management.

The average monthly return for a skilled trader ranges between 1% and 5%. That might sound modest, but with proper risk control and compounding, this can add up to 15%–60% annually. That’s competitive with the stock market — but with more volatility and stress.

Why Beginners Expect 20% and End Up Losing

The internet sells the dream.
Ads, YouTubers, and Instagram “mentors” push the idea that if you’re not making 10% a week, you’re doing it wrong. But markets don’t care about hype.

Yes, 20%+ returns are possible, but usually short-lived and high-risk. Even the best strategies experience drawdowns. Chasing double-digit returns each month almost guarantees broken risk rules — and blown accounts.

What Influences Real Earnings?

To make consistent income, here’s what really matters:

Account size. You won’t turn $500 into $5,000/month — at least not more than once.

Risk management. Pros risk just 1–2% per trade.

Experience. Expect your first 6–12 months to be learning, not earning.

Discipline. Traders lose not because their strategy is weak, but because their psychology is.

Realistic Scenario: What Can You Expect in 2025?

Let’s say you have a $10,000 account, trade 3–5 times per week, use moderate leverage, and follow your risk rules. Then you might realistically earn $100–$500/month with some flat and losing months too.

Over time, your capital and consistency grow — but this is a business, not a lottery. Treat Forex like a serious enterprise, not a get-rich-quick game.


70% of traders lose money. 30% break even or win long-term.
Realistic monthly income: 1%–5%.

Higher returns usually come with higher risk and shorter careers.
Education, experience, and discipline are non-negotiable.
What did you expect to earn when starting Forex?
And what did reality teach you?


By Claire Whitmore
July 25, 2025
FX24

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