How much can you make per week day trading?

How much can you make per week day trading? Per week day trading, earnings range widely — from weekly losses to a few hundred dollars for novices, up to several thousand (or more) for experienced traders with larger capital and strict risk controls.

Day trading per week sits between promise and reality: volatility creates opportunity, but outcomes depend on capital, strategy, and discipline. This piece frames realistic weekly expectations for 2025, shows examples across starting capitals, and walks through the costs, psychology and tools that shape results. A hypothetical trader, Liam, illustrates the path from small losses to consistent modest weekly returns after months of learning, disciplined position sizing, and adapting a strategy. The reality is that most newcomers face drawdowns first, then incremental gains. Readers will find concrete figures, comparison tables, and practical checklists to estimate what a week might yield given capital and risk rules. Links to deep-dive scenarios for specific starting balances are embedded for hands-on reference, and visual tools and platform names are included for context — while noting this content is not for US residents and does not recommend US brokers.

Realistic weekly earnings and key factors for “How much can you make per week day trading?”

The answer to “How much can you make per week day trading?” depends on several core variables. Weekly outcomes compress annualized returns into short slices — meaning randomness is higher and results swing more.

• Capital: Larger accounts can take meaningful positions and diversify trades.
• Risk per trade: Common rules risk 0.25–1% of capital per trade, shaping weekly swings.
• Strategy: Scalping yields many small P&L swings; momentum captures bigger moves less frequently.
• Costs & taxes: Fees, spreads, and tax treatment reduce net weekly returns.

Factor	Typical effect on weekly P&L	Control levers
Starting capital	Big impact — bigger capital = larger absolute weekly $	Increase capital, use position sizing
Risk per trade	Directly scales weekly variance	Fixed % or volatility sizing
Market volatility	More opportunity and more risk	Trade high-volatility windows only

Example insight: with $10,000 and a 0.5% risk per trade, a string of five small wins might return a few hundred dollars in a week, while the same account with 2% risk could swing thousands. The key is sizing — it defines what a “good week” even looks like. This leads into concrete capital examples next.

How much can you make per week day trading? Examples by starting capital and realistic weekly ranges

Translating annualized returns to weekly figures provides approachable targets. Using conservative to aggressive annual assumptions (4–10%), the weekly equivalent is small; for traders the goal is to beat those over time while managing drawdowns.

• Small accounts (
• Mid-size accounts ($10k–$100k): consistent skill can produce several hundred to a few thousand per week.
• Large accounts (>$100k): weekly returns scale up, but also attract institutional competition and require tighter edge.

Start	Annual return (example)	Approx. weekly avg
$1,000	6% ann.	~$1 per week (high variance)
$10,000	8% ann.	~$15–$40 per week typical
$100,000	8–10% ann.	~$150–$400 per week typical

Concrete case: Liam started with $2,000 and after refining a momentum playbook reached an average of $150 in positive weeks and several small losing weeks — illustrating that small capital can still learn the craft but absolute weekly earnings remain modest.

For hands-on breakdowns by starting balance, see scenario pages: $1,000, $10,000, $500, $2,000, and $20 for micro-account examples.

Weekly percent targets and risk rules

Translating targets into percent-per-week helps keep expectations grounded.

• Conservative: 0.1–0.5% of capital per week — steady compound over years.
• Reasonable active trader: 0.5–2% per week — requires skill and discipline.
• Aggressive: >2% per week — high volatility and higher chance of blow-ups.

Style	Weekly %	Implication
Conservative	0.1–0.5%	Long-term survivability
Active	0.5–2%	Feasible with backtested edge
Aggressive	>2%	High failure risk

Insight: managing risk per trade is the single biggest driver of whether weekly earnings compound or evaporate.

Costs, psychology and risk management that shape weekly results for “How much can you make per week day trading?”

Gross profits mean little after costs and psychological mistakes. Weekly returns can be wiped out by fees, overtrading, or emotional decisions.

• Fees & spreads: frequent trades compound transaction costs.
• Emotional errors: revenge trading and overtrading create loss streaks.
• Tax and admin: frequent trading has tax implications that reduce net weekly take-home.

Cost	Typical weekly impact	Mitigation
Commissions & spreads	Small per trade but large cumulatively	Use low-cost brokers, limit frequency
Data/software	Subscription hit	Choose essential tools only
Taxes	Reduces net returns	Consult an accountant

An example: a trader making $500 gross in a week can see $50–$150 disappear to fees and taxes depending on frequency and jurisdiction. A practical rule: if trading costs exceed 20% of gross gains, the strategy needs reworking. Psychological control and disciplined stops prevent small losses from becoming catastrophic — a decisive factor in turning learning weeks into repeatable profits.

Practical pathway, tools and platforms to estimate weekly day trading income

Estimating weekly income becomes easier with a process: set rules, backtest, trade small, review. Tools and platforms speed learning, but human factors remain central.

• Backtest strategies using platforms like TradingView, MetaTrader, or NinjaTrader.
• Use a simulator or demo before risking capital; track results in a journal.
• Keep a checklist: pre-market plan, entry criteria, stop, target, and maximum daily loss.

Tool	Use	Notes
TradingView	Charting & backtest ideas	Great for sharing setups
MetaTrader	Forex/backtesting EA	Good for automated strategies
Thinkorswim	Advanced options/charting	US-focused; article is not for US residents

Although many platform names appear in searches — E*TRADE, TD Ameritrade, Interactive Brokers, Robinhood, Charles Schwab, and Fidelity — this content avoids recommending US brokers and focuses on the trading process itself. For non-US retail traders, platforms like Pocket Option, Quotex, and Olymp Trade are commonly referenced in community forums for accessible entry points. Practical next steps: simulate one strategy for 60 trades, log win rate and average R:R, then estimate an expected weekly P&L given preferred risk per trade. That experiment often reveals realistic weekly expectations faster than any theory.

More scenario reads: starting with $10k, $300, $750, and $150 for practical guides on small accounts.

Checklist to estimate your weekly earning potential

• Define starting capital and max % risk per trade.
• Backtest for minimum 50–100 trades and note avg win and loss.
• Calculate expected weekly trades and multiply by expected per-trade edge.
• Subtract realistic costs (commissions, spreads, data, taxes).

Step	Output
Backtest edge	Win rate & avg R:R
Trades/week	Estimate from historical session
Net weekly P&L	Edge × trades − costs

Key insight: a repeatable small weekly profit, compounded and protected by risk rules, beats occasional explosive weeks followed by big drawdowns.

What readers often ask

How much can you make per week day trading? — The practical answer: expect wide variance; plan for modest weekly gains early on, and scale only after consistent positive edge. Testing scenarios linked above helps anchor expectations to real numbers.

Further learning and resources

• Use platform demos and paper trading before real capital exposure.
• Study trader psychology and position sizing in books and courses.
• Join communities and seek mentorship to shorten the learning curve.

Questions & answers

What factors most determine weekly day trading income?

Starting capital, risk per trade, strategy edge, market volatility, and trading costs are the main determinants. Controlling risk and refining a backtested strategy are the shortest paths to consistent weekly results.

Is it realistic to aim for double-digit percent weekly returns?

No. Double-digit percent per week is generally unsustainable and implies extreme risk. Long-term success centers on modest weekly or monthly returns that compound while preserving capital.

How many weeks should one expect to test a strategy before scaling?

Simulate or paper-trade for at least 50–100 trades and review performance over several market conditions. That typically translates to several weeks to a few months depending on trade frequency.

Can fees and taxes turn apparent profitable weeks into losing ones?

Yes. High-frequency trades amplify costs and tax liabilities, making it crucial to account for them when estimating net weekly income.

Where can I find practical scenarios for specific starting balances?

Scenario pages with breakdowns by starting balance are available here: $1,000, $10,000, $500, $2,000, and $20. These practical walkthroughs help convert theory into weekly expectations.