In Grand Theft Auto V, money makes the world go round. Whether you’re buying supercars, upgrading your arsenal, or snagging that dream yacht, having a fat bank account in Los Santos is key to living large. As a seasoned player, I’ve spent countless hours grinding, experimenting, and mastering the art of making cash in GTA 5. Here are 17 proven methods to stack your money fast, whether you’re a solo player or rolling with a crew in GTA Online. Let’s dive in!
1. Heists: The Big Payday
Heists are the gold standard for earning big bucks in GTA Online. The Doomsday Heist, Diamond Casino Heist, and Cayo Perico Heist offer payouts ranging from $500,000 to over $2 million per run. For max profits:
- Host or join a competent crew: Communication is key—use mics and plan roles.
- Cayo Perico tip: Scout for cocaine or gold as secondary loot to boost your take.
- Elite challenges: Complete heists within time limits for bonus cash.
Solo tip: Cayo Perico can be done solo, netting you $1–1.5 million per hour with practice.
2. VIP/CEO Work
Register as a VIP or CEO through the Interaction Menu and start missions like Headhunter or Sightseer. These pay $20,000–$25,000 every 10–15 minutes and can be done in public or invite-only sessions. Combine with other activities during cooldowns for steady income.
3. Auto Shop Client Jobs
Own an Auto Shop? Deliver customized cars for clients to earn $150,000–$200,000 per job. These missions are quick, solo-friendly, and have minimal setup costs. Plus, you can passive-aggressively honk at NPCs while cruising Los Santos.
4. Nightclub Passive Income
Buy a Nightclub and upgrade its storage. Assign technicians to accrue goods (like sporting goods or organic produce) while you play other missions. A fully stocked Nightclub can sell for $1–$2 million every few hours, making it one of the best passive income sources.
Pro tip: Keep your Nightclub popularity high with easy DJ missions to maximize daily safe earnings ($10,000 every 48 minutes).
5. Bunker Gunrunning
Purchase a Bunker, stock up on supplies, and sell weapons for profits up to $1 million per full sale. Buy supplies instead of stealing them to save time, and always sell in solo public sessions to avoid griefers.
6. Vehicle Cargo (Import/Export)
Running a Vehicle Warehouse lets you source and export high-end cars for $80,000–$100,000 per sale. Stick to top-range cars and sell in solo sessions to minimize damage and maximize profits. Alternate with VIP work during cooldowns.
7. Special Cargo Crates
Invest in a Warehouse and collect Special Cargo crates. A large Warehouse can hold 111 crates, selling for around $2.2 million when full. It’s grind-heavy, but payouts are worth it if you enjoy crate-hunting missions.
8. Time Trials
Check the map for weekly Time Trials. These short races pay $100,000–$200,000 if completed under the par time. Use a fast bike like the Hakuchou Drag or Bati 801 for tight corners and quick wins.
9. Daily Objectives
Complete three Daily Objectives (found in the Interaction Menu) for $30,000 and 3,000 RP. Hit them consistently for a weekly bonus of $150,000 and a monthly bonus of $500,000. They’re usually simple, like “Participate in a Deathmatch” or “Steal a vehicle.”
10. Adversary Modes (Double/Triple Rewards)
Rockstar often boosts payouts for Adversary Modes like Overtime Rumble or Sumo. These can pay $50,000–$100,000 per match during double/triple reward weeks. Check the loading screen or X posts for current bonuses.
11. Contact Missions
Classic Contact Missions from NPCs like Lester or Martin pay $15,000–$30,000 each. Double up on rewards during 2x/3x events. “Dispatch” and “Blow Up” are quick and repeatable for solo players.
12. Treasure Hunts and Collectibles
Complete one-time treasure hunts like the Los Santos Slasher or Maude’s Bounty Targets for $50,000–$250,000 rewards, plus unlockable items. Collectibles like Signal Jammers or Playing Cards also offer decent payouts and are great for exploring the map.
13. Casino Wheel Spin
Visit the Diamond Casino daily to spin the Lucky Wheel for a chance at cash, RP, or even a podium vehicle worth millions. It’s free, quick, and occasionally lands you $50,000 or more.
14. Junkyard Tow Truck Missions
Own a Salvage Yard? Tow vehicles and complete robbery missions for $100,000–$200,000 per job. These are solo-friendly and add variety to your grind. Bonus: you get to mess with traffic while towing.
15. Stock Market (Story Mode Only)
In GTA 5’s Story Mode, manipulate the stock market during Lester’s Assassination Missions. Invest in the targeted companies before missions and sell after prices peak. The Hotel Assassination can net you millions if you invest all three characters’ cash.
16. Robbery Contracts
Auto Shop Robbery Contracts (like The Bank Contract or The Data Contract) pay $150,000–$200,000 per finale. They’re quick, replayable, and perfect for solo or duo players. Prep missions are straightforward, so you’re not stuck grinding setups.
17. Weekly Bonuses and Events
Rockstar drops weekly updates with 2x/3x rewards on specific activities. Check the Newswire or follow GTA-focused accounts on X for the latest. Whether it’s Dispatch Missions or Auto Shop deliveries, these bonuses can double your hourly earnings.
General Tips for Maximizing Earnings
- Solo public sessions: On consoles, lag out of public lobbies by pausing and unpausing your internet. On PC, use the “resource monitor” trick to suspend GTA briefly. This keeps griefers away during sales.
- Shark Cards? Nah: Grinding these methods is way more satisfying than dropping real cash.
- Mix it up: Alternate between active (heists, missions) and passive (Nightclub, Bunker) income to avoid burnout.
- Invest wisely: Prioritize businesses like the Nightclub or Bunker over cosmetic purchases early on.
Getting rich in GTA 5 and GTA Online takes time, but with these 17 methods, you’ll be swimming in cash faster than you can say “Oppressor Mk II.” Whether you’re a lone wolf hitting Cayo Perico or a CEO dominating Los Santos, there’s a money-making path for every playstyle.
