Welcome to Los Santos. This city is big, bright, and very expensive. If you want the fastest cars and the coolest planes, you need cash. Many new players ask, "how do i make money on gta 5 online" without getting frustrated. It can feel hard when you start with nothing.
I have spent thousands of hours in this game. I know exactly how to turn a few dollars into millions. This guide will show you the path from a broke beginner to a rich boss. We will use simple steps that anyone can follow.
Tools & Prerequisites
Before you start grinding, you need a few things. You cannot make big money without the right gear. Think of these as your starter kit.
Essential Starter Items
| Item | Cost | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Armored Kuruma | $525,000 | Protects you from bullets during missions. |
| Luxury Apartment | $200,000+ | Required to start the classic Heists. |
| Homing Launcher | $75,000 | Helps you take down enemy helicopters. |
| CEO Office | $1,000,000 | Unlocks the best businesses in the game. |
The First Steps
- Reach Level 12: This unlocks the ability to host Heists.
- Save your first $50,000: This allows you to register as a VIP.
- Finish the Tutorial: It gives you basic weapons and a car.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: The Early Grind (Level 1 to 15)
When you first land in the city, you are poor. You need to do "Contact Missions." These are jobs given to you by characters like Lamar or Simeon.
How to start Contact Missions
- Open your phone in the game.
- Select "Quick Join."
- Choose "Play Contact Mission."
Why this works
These missions pay well for beginners. You also gain RP (Experience Points). More RP means better guns and armor.
Pro Tip: Spend your first earnings on a Bulletproof Helmet. It will save your life in gunfights!
Step 2: The Treasure Hunts
Rockstar Games hidden special items in the world. Finding them gives you a huge cash boost. This is the fastest way to get your first $500,000.
The Navy Revolver Challenge
You must find five clues left by a serial killer. Once you find them, kill the slasher when he attacks you. Then, get 50 headshots on NPCs.
- Reward: $275,000.
The Double-Action Revolver
Check your in-game email for a treasure hunt photo. Find the chest at the location shown. Get 50 headshots.
- Reward: $250,000.
Step 3: Becoming a VIP
Once you have $50,000 in your bank account, you can become a VIP. You do not spend the money; you just have to own it.
How to Register
- Open the Interaction Menu (M on PC, Touchpad on PS, View on Xbox).
- Scroll down to SecuroServ.
- Select Register as VIP.
VIP Work: Sightseer and Headhunter
These are short missions you can do in the open world.
- Sightseer: You hack a phone and pick up three packages. It takes 5 minutes.
- Headhunter: You take out four targets around the city. Use a fast car or a Buzzard helicopter.
Step 4: Saving for the Kosatka Submarine
This is the most important part of the guide. If you want to know how to make millions, the answer is the Cayo Perico Heist. To do this, you need the Kosatka Submarine. It costs $2.2 million.
Why the Kosatka is King
- You can do the heist all by yourself.
- It takes about one hour to finish everything.
- You earn $1 million to $1.5 million every time.
How to buy it
- Go to the Music Locker club near the Diamond Casino.
- Talk to Miguel Madrazo.
- Open your phone's internet and go to Warstock Cache & Carry.
- Buy the Kosatka.
Step 5: Master the Cayo Perico Heist
Now that you have the sub, you are ready for the big leagues. This is the best answer to "how do i make money on gta 5 online" in 2024 and beyond.
The Setup Phase
You must fly to a private island. You need to find the "Primary Target" in the basement of a mansion. Use the security cameras on your phone to see what is inside.
The Approach
Always use the Longfin boat or the Drainage Tunnel entrance. The tunnel lets you sneak into the mansion without being seen.
The Escape
Once you have the loot, run out the front gate. Shoot a guard, steal his motorcycle, and drive off the cliff into the ocean. Swim away until the mission ends.
Step 6: The Agency and Passive Income
Doing heists can be tiring. You want money that grows while you sleep. This is called "Passive Income."
Buy an Agency
The Agency lets you do "Security Contracts." After you finish 201 contracts, your safe will fill up with $20,000 every single day in the game.
The Nightclub Business
The Nightclub is the best business for rich players.
- Buy a Nightclub.
- Hire technicians.
- They will steal goods for you automatically.
- You just sell the goods once a week for a $1 million profit.
Expert Tips & Troubleshooting
Tip 1: Avoid "Griefers"
Other players might try to blow you up while you work.
- Expert Insight: You can now do almost all sales and missions in an Invite Only Session. Go to the Pause Menu > Online > Find New Session > Invite Only. This keeps you safe from bullies.
Tip 2: The "Weekly Update"
Every Thursday, Rockstar changes the game. Some businesses will pay 2x or 3x more money.
- Always check the Rockstar Newswire.
- Focus your work on whatever is paying "Double Money" that week.
Tip 3: Don't Buy Fancy Cars Yet
It is tempting to buy a supercar. Do not do it.
Critical Warning: Never buy a car until you own the businesses that make you money. A fast car won't pay your bills, but a submarine will buy you a hundred cars.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
- "I keep dying on missions."
- Solution: Buy "Super Heavy Armor" from Ammu-Nation. Eat snacks (bought at convenience stores) to heal your health instantly during a fight.
- "The heist setups are too hard."
- Solution: Buy the Sparrow helicopter upgrade for your submarine. it makes traveling much faster.
- "I ran out of ammo."
- Solution: You can buy ammo through your Interaction Menu under "Inventory." You don't have to go to the store.
Deep Dive: The Diamond Casino Heist
If you have a friend to play with, the Casino Heist is excellent. You need an Arcade to start it.
Best Approaches
- The Big Con: You dress up as maintenance workers or guards. You walk right into the vault.
- Silent & Sneaky: You use silenced guns and EMPs to steal the money without being caught.
The Vault Contents
- Cash: The worst payout.
- Artwork: Very fast to steal. Great for two players.
- Gold: High value but makes you run slow.
- Diamonds: Only available during special event weeks.
Summary of Money Methods
| Method | Effort | Payoff | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact Missions | Low | Low | Absolute Beginners |
| Treasure Hunts | Low | Medium | Quick Cash Boost |
| Cayo Perico Heist | Medium | Very High | Solo Players |
| Nightclub | Very Low | High | Long-term Wealth |
| Casino Heist | High | High | Playing with Friends |
How to Manage Your Millions
Once you start making money, you must spend it wisely.
- Phase 1: Buy the Kosatka.
- Phase 2: Buy the Sparrow for the Kosatka.
- Phase 3: Buy an Agency for the safe income.
- Phase 4: Buy a Nightclub and 5 businesses to link to it.
- Phase 5: Finally, buy your dream cars and planes.
Conclusion
Making money in this game is a journey. You start by doing small jobs for local bosses. You find hidden treasures to build your bank account. Then, you buy a submarine and rob a private island. Finally, you set up businesses that make money for you while you relax.
If you follow these steps, you will never be broke again. Remember to play in "Invite Only" sessions to avoid trouble. Focus on the Cayo Perico heist as your main source of income. Stay consistent, and you will own the city in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make money on GTA 5 online fast?
The fastest way for a new player is to complete the Treasure Hunts (Navy Revolver and Stone Hatchet). After that, the Cayo Perico Heist is the fastest way to earn millions of dollars every hour.
Can I make money alone?
Yes! Unlike the old days, you can now do the Cayo Perico Heist and most business sales by yourself in private sessions. You do not need a team to get rich.
What is the best business to buy first?
The CEO Office is a great first start, but the Kosatka Submarine is the best investment. If you want a "traditional" business, the Acid Lab is cheap and pays very well.
Is the Shark Card worth it?
Shark Cards give you money for real life cash. Most players find it better to just play the game. Doing one Cayo Perico Heist gives you more money than many cheap Shark Cards.