Adult film stars are opening up about their earnings, and the numbers might surprise you.
Lana Rhoades, for instance, has shared her early experiences in the industry at just 19 years old, describing her compensation as ‘pickles’ for the sex scenes she filmed after being in the industry for only eight months.
Meanwhile, other actors highlight the financial freedom they’ve achieved through their careers in adult film—a freedom they believe they might not have found elsewhere.
This has sparked a broader conversation about the profitability of working in an industry that demands complete exposure.
How much money do adult film stars actually make?Getty Images/ Michael Mohr
The debate around the adult film industry is intense, not only among critics but also among those within it.
In recent years, many performers have come forward to share their varied experiences—some praising the industry, while others criticize it for insufficient protection, support, and fair compensation.
So, what do adult film stars actually earn for their on-camera performances?
Steven Hirsch, the owner of one of the largest adult entertainment studios, Vivid, explained to CNBC that new entrants typically earn more because they bring a novelty factor and can command higher fees for various sex acts.
However, their ongoing earnings depend greatly on their popularity.
CNBC reports that the average payment for a traditional sex scene between a man and a woman is between $800 and $1,000.
However, newcomers without strong representation might only receive as little as $300.
There can be a stark difference in pay between performers.Getty Images/ Sasun Bughdaryan
In contrast, more popular actors can demand up to $1,500 or even $2,000 per scene.
For scenes that involve more extreme acts, the pay increases to about $1,800 to $2,500.
Derek Hay, the founder of LA Direct Models, told The Independent that performers sometimes receive between $2,000 and $6,000 for shooting one of their “firsts”—like their first scene involving three, four, or more men.
The pay disparity extends to male performers as well.
According to CNBC, male performers usually earn $500-600 per scene or per day.
Performers don’t always get paid as much as you might think.Getty Stock Images
More recognized male stars might earn between $700 and $900, and only the most well-known among them can command up to $1,500.
Valentina Nappi, another adult film star, told VICE that she earned “$1,140 for a regular hetero scene” when she first moved to the US, already being quite well-known.
In contrast, Luca Ferrero noted that in Europe, male actors typically earn $533 or less per scene.
Franco Roccaforte shared that he used to make about $16,000 a month back in the 90s and now wouldn’t accept less than $1,000 per scene.
Hay also commented on the perception of earnings in the adult film industry:
“I don’t think that adult stars make as much money as the general public perceives them to make.
“I don’t think there’s anybody, even the biggest stars, who are making more than half a million a year, but if some of the top stars are making $300,000-400,000 per year, by most people’s perception that would still be a lot of money I think.”
