How to Make Money on Medium in 2026: An In-Depth Beginner’s Guide

Medium is a free platform where writers from all backgrounds can publish their stories and actually get paid. That’s the simple version—but the reality is a bit more complex.

I joined Medium back in 2014 before I started my own blog. Medium has changed significantly since then. Ultimately, I decided to ditch the platform to focus solely on my own site because owning your own blog is far more lucrative. However, Medium is still a fantastic launchpad for new writers.

If you are ready to dive in, this complete 2026 guide will explain exactly how to make money on Medium, how the payment structure works, and the best tips for early success.

What is Medium?

Before we talk about making money, you need to understand the platform. Medium is an online publishing platform where anyone can publish articles. Think of it like YouTube, but for writers.

It is completely free to write and read basic stories on Medium. However, readers must pay a membership fee ($5/month or $50/year) to unlock an unlimited number of premium stories. It is these membership fees that actually pay the writers.

How Do You Get Paid to Write on Medium?

To make money, you must join the Medium Partner Program. Enrolled writers earn a portion of the money paid by those premium Medium members.

While the Partner Program is free to join, your account must meet two strict requirements first:

1. Have at least 100 followers.
2. Have published at least one story on Medium in the past.

Once eligible, you can place your articles behind Medium’s “paywall.”

The Payment Formula

In the past, writers were paid based on “claps” (Medium’s version of “likes”). Medium scrapped that model in 2019. Today, you earn a portion of a member’s subscription fee based on two main factors:

1. Member Read Time: The more time paying members spend actively reading your story, the more money you earn.
2. Member Referrals: If a non-member reads your article and signs up for a paid membership within 30 days, you receive a direct bonus. Furthermore, if you refer a member via your custom referral link, you earn half of their monthly fee for as long as they remain active.

Note: Medium also occasionally awards $100 “Bonus Payments” to writers who produce exceptionally high-quality, editor-curated content.

How Much Money Can You Really Make?

Let’s be completely candid: writing for Medium is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Making a full-time living on the platform is not in the cards for most people.

According to Medium’s own historical data:

• The Top 1%: Make between $5,000 and $30,000 a month (usually after 1 to 2 years of consistent writing).
• The Bottom 94%: Earn under $100 a month.
• The Middle 6%: Make some money (meaning more than $0, but less than a living wage).

5 Tips for Making Money on Medium

If you want to break out of that bottom 94%, you need a strategy. Here are my top five tips for success in 2026:

1. Find a Niche: Stay away from broad, generic topics. Whether it’s small business marketing, fly fishing, or freelance writing, it is much easier to become an authority to a specific, loyal audience.
2. Focus on Storytelling: Medium calls them “stories” for a reason. Write in the first person, share personal experiences, and avoid dry, academic tones.
3. Hook the Reader Immediately: Because you are paid for read time, your opening is critical. You need an eye-catching headline, a solid opening paragraph that shows immediate value, and an authoritative lead-in.
4. Share Your Stories: Do not rely solely on Medium’s algorithm. Share your articles on social media, with your email list, and on your personal blog to drive guaranteed traffic.
5. Don’t Spam Memberships: While converting readers into paying members pays well, pushing it too hard feels spammy. Let the quality of your writing convince them to subscribe.

Blogging on Medium vs. WordPress

If you want to start a writing career, Medium sounds perfect. It’s free, requires zero technical setup, and has a built-in audience. However, my professional experience proves that hosting your own WordPress blog is far superior.

Here is why WordPress beats Medium for serious earners:

• More Monetization Options: On your own blog, you can use display ads, sponsored posts, and sell your own digital products.
• Total Customization: You have complete control over your site’s branding and design.
• You Own Your Audience: On Medium, the subscribers belong to Medium. On WordPress, you can easily build a massive, private email list that you own forever.

The Final Word

Medium makes it incredibly simple to start writing, but generating a meaningful income takes serious time and strategy. I pivoted from Medium to my own blog because I wanted total control of my content and revenue. I eventually grew a 7-figure business from my own site—something that likely wouldn’t have been possible if I stayed exclusively on Medium.

If you just want to test the waters, sign up for the Medium Partner Program today. But if you are ready to build a real business, I highly recommend starting your own WordPress blog hosted on a reliable platform like Bluehost instead.

Also Read : How to Earn Money Online As a Student: 11 Best Ways in 2026