The adult industry may look glamorous on screen — luxury shoots, exotic locations, and performers who seem to live a high life. But behind the scenes, the reality is far more nuanced. One of the most asked questions is: How much do pornstars really make? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.

Pornstar earnings vary drastically depending on factors like experience, gender, popularity, category, production house, and whether they work independently or with studios. Let’s break it all down.

Average Pornstar Income: The Basics

When it comes to adult film actors, gender plays a significant role. Generally:

Female pornstars earn $800–$1,500 per scene with mainstream studios.

Male pornstars earn significantly less, averaging $300–$500 per scene, unless they’re big names.

Why the gap? Simply put, the demand for female performers is much higher, and the variety of categories and scene types is broader for women. Plus, most porn consumers (statistically male) tend to follow female stars more closely.

Pornstar Income by Category

Here’s a breakdown of how much stars can earn depending on the type of content they shoot:

1. Mainstream Hetero Scenes (Boy/Girl)

Women: $1,000–$1,500 per scene

Men: $300–$500 per scene

Established names can command higher fees. Newcomers usually start on the lower end until they build a following.

2. Girl/Girl Scenes

Earnings: $700–$1,200 per scene (for each performer)

This is one of the most in-demand categories. Many performers start with girl/girl scenes before moving into more explicit content.

3. Anal Scenes

Earnings: $1,500–$3,000+ per scene

This pays more because 10 Real Fetish Confessions That Went Viral on Reddit it’s considered more extreme. Top-tier stars can negotiate even higher rates depending on the studio and exclusivity.

4. Group or Org*y Scenes

Earnings: $1,000–$4,000 depending on scene complexity

The more performers, the higher the pay. But it also depends on the type of acts performed and the production quality.

5. Niche Fetish Content

Earnings: Varies from $500 to $5,000+

This includes BDSM, foot fetish, domination/submission, and other specific kinks. Performers who specialize in unique fetishes can command premium rates — especially if they cater to custom content.

6. OnlyFans and Direct Subscriptions

In recent years, subscription platforms like OnlyFans, Fansly, and ManyVids have revolutionized pornstar income.

Top creators on OnlyFans can make $10,000 to $100,000+ per month.

Even mid-level creators make $5,000 to $20,000/month if they have a loyal base.

The major benefit? Performers keep up to 80% of the revenue, maintain creative control, and connect directly with fans.

7. Gay Porn (Male Performers)

Earnings: $800–$1,500 per scene (sometimes more than in straight porn)

Interestingly, gay porn often pays male performers better. This can even attract straight men who do “gay-for-pay” scenes for the higher rates.

Studio Work vs. Independent Content Creation

Studio Work: Pays per scene, but performers don’t usually get royalties. Once it's filmed, they rarely earn from it again.

Independent Content (Clips4Sale, OnlyFans, etc.): Offers passive income, higher creative freedom, and long-term revenue.