Trading as a career? Top 10% of ProTraders earn in one payout what others make in a year
The latest Fintokei payout data is here. And it revealed something interesting. The top 10% of ProTrader payouters received an average of $39,422. In a single payout. That’s more than the annual income in most of the 130 countries where Fintokei operates. So what’s behind their success?
We recently wrote about how SwiftTrader 2.0 boosted average payouts nearly 9×. But ProTrader didn’t stay behind last year either. In 2025, the top 10% of ProTrader payouters averaged $39,422 per payout.
In other words, they withdrew more in one payout than many people earn in a full year. Not just in the Czech Republic, where Fintokei originates, but in most of the 130 countries our traders come from.
For context, the average gross annual salary in the Czech Republic in 2025 was approximately around $28,347 based on the USD/CZK exchange rate in February 2026.
What do the best traders have in common?
You might expect a secret strategy. Or aggressive risk-taking.
But when we talk to Fintokei Stars, traders who collect payouts regularly, the answer is much less dramatic. It comes down to:
- mindset,
- discipline,
- and sticking to a plan.
Sebastian, a 19-year-old trader from Slovakia, already has 28 payouts under his belt. He says the key is knowing yourself first. If sitting in front of charts all day doesn’t suit you, forcing yourself into intraday trading just because it’s popular makes no sense.
He built a swing trading system that fits his lifestyle. His motto is simple: “Trade for your life, don’t live for trading.”
His trades aren’t extreme. They’re actually quite “boring,” as he puts it. He doesn’t chase the “trade of the year.” Most of his positions look very similar. And that’s exactly the point. Consistency beats emotion.
We see the same pattern across successful traders. When we ask about their best trade, it’s rarely the biggest one. More often, it’s the trade that follows the plan perfectly. No euphoria. No FOMO. Just discipline.
Risk management as the real foundation
Another common factor is risk control.
David from the Czech Republic keeps his risk at 0.3% on intraday trades and 0.7% on swing positions. Even when holding multiple positions, he stays around 1% of the account. In that setup, he says, it’s very hard to burn the account.
But the number itself isn’t the point. Sticking to it is.
David follows one simple rule: never trade from his phone. It helps him avoid impulsive entries. Of course, some successful traders trade on smartphones and would disagree. That just proves one thing: everyone has to find what works for them.
Jacek from Poland adjusts risk depending on the program phase. “For longer-term trades, I keep risk under 1.5%. For regular positions, under 0.2%. On challenge accounts, I’m slightly more aggressive, but always within a clear framework. Risk control is the foundation.”
During the challenge phase, he allows himself a slightly higher risk. After passing, he significantly reduces it. At that stage, it’s no longer about speed. It’s about stability. The common theme is clear: it’s not about making as much as possible. It’s about managing losses and staying in the game.
💡 Fintokei tip
What’s another secret behind their success? See Fintokei Stars book tips!
ProTrader: a test, not a shortcut
ProTrader isn’t easy. It has two phases and a total profit target of 14%. It’s the most demanding program at Fintokei. But it also offers the largest accounts, and naturally, the largest payouts.
The average ProTrader payout in 2025 was $2,767. And then there’s the elite group. The 10% of traders who reach close to $40,000 in a single payout.
That’s not luck. It’s the result of a long-term approach. ProTrader works more like a filter. It separates those who are just trying to make a bank with a single trade from those who truly take it seriously.
Kick off your ProTrader challenge 💪
Get trading capital of up to $400k, keep 80% of the profits, and enjoy lightning-fast payouts approved in seconds.
Prop trading as a career?
Let’s be honest. Not everyone will make tens of thousands of dollars. And that’s not the point. Trading is not a shortcut to quick wealth. It’s not guaranteed.
But our data shows that if you can stick to a plan, manage risk, and control your emotions, trading can generate income comparable to a traditional career. And you can do it without risking your own capital in a simulated environment.
A trading career at Fintokei isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a combination of skill, patience, and working on yourself. And for some traders, it’s already a very real path to income that matches, or even exceeds, an annual salary.
