You can make around $50 to $100 per month on average selling on Etsy if you’re a new seller. Your earnings on Etsy depend on your products, pricing, demand, and marketing. With effort and experience, your earnings can grow significantly. Many Etsy sellers make between $1,000 and $5,000 monthly. Some top-performing shops even generate over $10,000 monthly. Sale Samurai also reports that the average Etsy seller income is between $43,000 and $46,000 annually.
Etsy's survey found that 56% of sellers make less than $10,000 per year. Meanwhile, 30% earn between $10,000 and $50,000 annually, and 14% make over $50,000 per year. This shows that many sellers use Etsy for side income. But, some earn a lot and turn it into a full-time business.
The type of product you sell affects your Etsy income. Handmade or unique items, like custom jewelry or vintage decor, often cost more. It’s also essential to account for Etsy fees when determining your profits. Etsy charges $0.20 per listing, a 6.5% transaction fee, and optional advertising fees. For example, if you sell an item for $20, you can expect to pay about $1.50 in fees. Tracking your expenses, including material costs, ensures you maintain a healthy profit margin.
If you sell handmade candles for $25 each and sell 50 a month, your gross revenue would be $1,250. After deducting Etsy fees of about $81.25 and $250 in materials (assuming $5 per candle), your net profit would be about $918.75.
Melanie Renee shared her first-month earnings on Etsy, making $33.78 in total revenue with her new shop. After Etsy's fees and marketing costs, her profit was just 17 cents. She spent $21.97 on Etsy Ads, which significantly cut into her earnings. Etsy withheld 30% of her sales for 90 days. This is due to a sudden sales spike, possibly from her sister buying three of her products. Melanie has a goal despite having low earnings. She experiments with consistency in creating listings and using ads. She aims to reach 50 products and test Etsy Ads with a $5 daily budget in her second month to see if it boosts revenue.
A Reddit user shares their success selling vintage items on Etsy. They make over $1,000 a month in profit and have sold more than 750 items since starting. One of their best finds is a piece of art they bought at Goodwill for $19.99 and sold for $1,200 because they knew its true value. Their secret is spotting hidden gems that others overlook. They explain that this skill comes from years of practice and experience.
Selling on Etsy can be a good way to earn passive income, but I’ve found a more reliable and scalable option. I now focus on a system that brings steady leads and income. It takes much less effort than managing Etsy listings and marketing. In this article, I discuss some of the best Etsy products you can sell, such as digital items, jewelry, craft supplies, and tools. I also reveal how much you can earn from each Etsy idea and what types of products you can sell. Additionally, I mention top Etsy sellers like PlannerKate1 and CaitlynMinimalist and share how much they make on Etsy. This article also gives you an idea of how much you can earn as a part-time or full-time Etsy seller.
1. Sell Digital Products
Digital products include printable planners, digital artwork, templates for resumes, or educational resources. Once you create the product, you can sell it repeatedly. You won't have to worry about shipping or production costs. For instance, if you sell a digital file for $10 and 200 people purchase it in a month, your gross revenue would be $2,000. After deducting fees, most of that revenue becomes profit. Many sellers of digital download earn $1,000 to $5,000 monthly. Some top sellers make over $10,000.
PlannerKate1 is an Etsy shop, founded in 2014. It sells planner stickers and organizational accessories. It has achieved great success. As of January 2023, the shop has made over 1,915,739 sales. Alura states that PlannerKate1 generates an estimated revenue exceeding $8.2 million. Her products are typically priced around $5.50 each. Etsy's PlannerKate1 sells digital products, like printable to-do lists and minimalist planners. These items are instant digital downloads. Customers can easily access and print them at their convenience.
1. Sell Digital Products
Digital products include printable planners, digital artwork, templates for resumes, or educational resources. Once you create the product, you can sell it repeatedly. You won't have to worry about shipping or production costs. For instance, if you sell a digital file for $10 and 200 people purchase it in a month, your gross revenue would be $2,000. After deducting fees, most of that revenue becomes profit. Many sellers of digital downloads earn $1,000 to $5,000 monthly. Some top sellers make over $10,000.
PlannerKate1 is an Etsy shop, founded in 2014. It sells planner stickers and organizational accessories. It has achieved great success. As of January 2023, the shop has made over 1,915,739 sales. Alura states that PlannerKate1 generates an estimated revenue exceeding $8.2 million. Her products are typically priced around $5.50 each. Etsy's PlannerKate1 sells digital products, like printable to-do lists and minimalist planners. These items are instant digital downloads. Customers can easily access and print them at their convenience.
2. Craft Jewelry
Jewelry is another top-selling category. Handmade necklaces, bracelets, and earrings are popular. People love them, especially when they are unique or customized. Jewelry prices vary. Simpler pieces sell for $20 to $50. High-end designs fetch $100 or more. If you sell 50 pieces of jewelry priced at $30 each, you could make $1,500 in a month. After deducting material costs and Etsy fees, your profit would be around $900. Established jewelry sellers can earn thousands of dollars monthly. This is true, especially for those who work with premium materials like gemstones or gold.
CaitlynMinimalist started in 2014 in Los Angeles, California. CaitlynMinimalist sells simple, personalized jewelry like name necklaces and initial rings. By January 2023, it had over 2 million sales, with an estimated revenue of more than $68.9 million as per Alura. Most of its jewelry products cost between $25 and $50.
3. Offer Craft Supplies and Tools
Craft supplies and tools sell well on Etsy, especially with crafters and hobbyists. These include items like yarn, beads, fabrics, or sewing kits. If you sell craft supplies for $10 to $30 each, you can earn a lot, especially if you sell in bulk. For example, selling 100 craft items priced at $15 each could bring in $1,500 in gross revenue. This category attracts casual hobbyists and pros alike. Etsy sellers can earn $500 to over $10,000 a month.
Beadboat1 is a family-owned Etsy shop in Texas. It started in 2014. The shop sells jewelry-making supplies like beads and tools. By January 2023, it had made over 1,686,143 sales. According to Alura, the shop has earned more than $12.7 million in revenue. Most of their jewelry supplies cost between $2 and $7. This makes them affordable for many jewelers.
4. Clothing and Accessories
Etsy is popular for clothing and accessories, like scarves and handmade dresses. Tote bags are also in demand. These items often sell for $20 to $150, depending on the design and materials. Selling 30 handmade dresses priced at $75 each could generate $2,250 in gross revenue. After accounting for material costs and fees, you could take home over $1,300 in profit. Sellers with unique, customizable designs can boost their income. Many Etsy sellers earn $5,000 to $10,000 a month.
therintshophere is an Etsy shop based in California, United States. The shop specializes in custom-designed shirts, bringing customers' ideas to life. Joseph Inci is the owner, maker, and handles customer service. His products cost between $7.08 and $19.90. He crafts each design with care. He uses premium materials for comfort and durability. As a small business owner, Joseph prioritizes customer satisfaction. therintshophere encourages customers to ask for help or make special requests. Since joining Etsy in 2020, therintshophere has made over 94,617 sales.
5. Home and Living Products
Home and living items like candles, wall art, and furniture are in high demand. Candles typically sell for $20 to $50. Larger items, like custom tables, can sell for hundreds. Selling 40 candles at $30 each would earn $1,200. After fees and costs, profits would be about $700. Sellers specializing in higher-priced items, like handmade furniture, can earn even more. Selling five custom furniture pieces at $500 each generates over $1,000 in profit for the month after Etsy fees and costs.
AlexanderLaserDesign is an Etsy shop in Matthews, NC, owned by Adam and Jennifer. They specialize in crafting custom laser-cut and etched designs, including personalized door hangers. Since starting in 2017, the shop has made over 57,257 sales. Their products, priced between $50 and $100, have likely earned over $2.8 million.
How Much Can You Make If You’re a Part-Time vs. Full-Time Seller on Etsy?
In her first 30 days, Tatyana Savage earned $88.64, making almost $200 by the end of her first month. She credits her early success to strong SEO and keyword strategies. This helped her achieve a 9.6% conversion rate, much higher than Etsy's average of 2-3%. As she refined her offerings and learned her audience's needs, her monthly revenue grew to over $2,000. Tatyana spends only 5 to 10 hours a week on her Etsy shop. This time is for creating new digital products. It is for occasional customer service inquiries, and for maintaining her shop's listings.
Devorah Engelmajer shares insights into full-time Etsy sellers. She uses Wendy from Flannel Board Fun as an example. Wendy's business makes handmade felt sets for children and educators. Wendy works 30-50 hours a week. She uses systems like quarterly planning and weekly task scheduling. Wendy also designates days for key activities. These include making products, creating content, and bookkeeping. Successful full-time Etsy sellers can earn $2,000 to $5,000 per month or more. It depends on their product niche, pricing, and marketing. Wendy stresses balance. She says breaks and time off boost productivity and creativity.
How to Make More Income Selling on Etsy?
Can You Make Passive Income On Etsy?
Yes, you can make passive income on Etsy, but it depends on the type of products you sell and how you set up your shop. Passive income means making money with little effort after the initial work. On Etsy, this is most achievable with digital products. These include items like printable planners, templates, digital art, or educational resources. After you upload these products, customers can buy and download them. You do not need to do any extra work.
For example, a shop selling printable planners or wedding invites can make steady sales. Customers only need to download the files. You don’t have to handle shipping, inventory, or production costs. Many successful Etsy sellers focus on niche digital products. They attract fitness planners and budgeting spreadsheets
However, achieving passive income still requires upfront effort. This means making great products, using keywords in your listings, and marketing your shop to get visibility. Promoting with Etsy Ads or Pinterest can boost sales and traffic. Passive income on Etsy is possible, but it takes strategy, creativity, and consistent effort at the beginning.
Hannah Gardner says an Etsy shop can earn money while you sleep. But, it’s not fully passive at first. You need to handle customer service, create designs, and manage Etsy Ads. To make an Etsy business truly passive, you need to automate processes and hire help. Hannah says a passive business should need less than 10% of your day to manage, but still grow. A good shop can earn thousands of dollars each month. Products usually cost between $15 and $50, so with the right systems set up, success is within reach. However, reaching this stage requires mastering the Etsy basics. You must create strong listings and develop consistent sales.
Conclusion: Why Can Local Lead Generation Make You More Income Than Selling on Etsy?
Local lead generation can make you more income than selling on Etsy because it has higher margins and long-term passive income potential. A good local website can cost just a few hundred dollars. Yet, it can bring in $500 to $3,000 per month. Unlike Etsy, your income depends on constant sales and platform changes. A lead generation site, however, provides steady, recurring revenue. Businesses keep renting your leads. Local lead gen profit margin can hit 90%. This is more scalable than selling handmade or digital products.
Selling on Etsy requires constant effort. You must create, market, and manage listings. You compete with over 9 million Etsy sellers. Etsy's listing fees, transaction fees, and ad costs cut into your profits. Most sellers earn less than $10,000 per year, and only a small percentage make over $50,000 annually. Digital products can earn passive income. But, they need regular marketing and updates to stay visible.
Once a lead generation website ranks on Google, it becomes a low-maintenance asset. Business owners pay monthly for a steady flow of leads. You don't have to worry about inventory, customer service, or changing product trends. Local lead generation provides consistent, predictable income with less work over time than Etsy.
