Do Custom GPT Creators Get Paid?
Custom GPT creators earn USD 500-USD 10,000+ monthly through access codes, subscriptions, and service delivery. OpenAI doesn't pay directly, but third-party platforms enable monetization.
Last updated: December 28, 2025
Yes, Custom GPT creators get paid - but not directly from OpenAI. Successful creators earn USD 500-USD 10,000+ monthly by selling access codes, offering subscriptions, or delivering GPT-powered services. OpenAI's GPT Store revenue sharing program exists but remains limited; most earning creators monetize independently through third-party platforms.
Marcus built a legal research GPT in his spare time. Three months later, it generates USD 2,400 monthly from 120 small law firms paying USD 20/month each. He never received a cent from OpenAI.
The path to getting paid as a Custom GPT creator isn't through platform revenue sharing. It's through taking control of your own monetization.
How Custom GPT Creators Actually Make Money
To complete guide to custom gpt monetization, see our Custom GPT Monetization: 6 Revenue Models That Actually Work.
To complete guide to custom gpt monetization, see our Custom GPT Monetization: 6 Revenue Models That Actually Work.
OpenAI announced GPT Store revenue sharing in early 2024, but the program has been slow to roll out and limited in scope. Smart creators aren't waiting.
The reality: Most earning creators monetize through external channels:
- Access codes - Buy infrastructure codes (USD 5 each), sell GPT access to clients (USD 50-USD 500+), keep 95-99% margins
- Subscriptions - Monthly access with tiered features (USD 10-USD 100/month)
- Service delivery - Use your GPT to deliver client work faster (USD 500-USD 5,000 per project)
- B2B licensing - License to agencies and enterprises (USD 200-USD 1,000+/month)
Tyler Koerner, who runs The Koerner Office podcast and has built multiple monetized GPTs, puts it bluntly: "For USD 20 a month, you can have a team of PhD employees at your fingertips. Keep in mind, I have six agents running at the same time right now. Each agent is taking the place of multiple employees."
That USD 20/month ChatGPT subscription becomes the infrastructure for businesses earning thousands monthly.
To understand all the revenue models available, see our guide on Custom GPT Monetization: 6 Revenue Models That Actually Work.
What OpenAI's Revenue Sharing Actually Looks Like
OpenAI's GPT Builder Program has specific requirements and limitations:
Eligibility requirements:
- US-based builders (initially)
- Verified Builder Profile
- GPT listed publicly in the store
- Sufficient engagement (specific thresholds not disclosed)
What we know about payment:
- Based on user engagement, not downloads
- Pay based on time spent with your GPT
- Initial program limited to top performers
- Expectations are speculative (10-20% creator pay estimates)
Why most creators bypass it:
The GPT Store is free to list, which means massive competition and limited discovery. Creators with specialized, valuable GPTs earn more by charging directly than waiting for platform revenue sharing.
Real Revenue Benchmarks from Active Creators
Here's what actual Custom GPT creators report earning:
| GPT Type | Monthly Revenue | Business Model |
|---|---|---|
| Legal research GPT | USD 2,000-USD 5,000 | 100-250 subscribers at USD 20/month |
| Medical diagnosis assistant | USD 8,000-USD 12,000 | 80-120 clinics at USD 100/month |
| Marketing automation GPT | USD 3,000-USD 6,000 | Agency licensing model |
| Content creation GPT | USD 500-USD 1,500 | Access code sales |
The pattern: Business-focused GPTs in specialized niches command premium pricing. Generic GPTs compete on price and lose.
Why Some Creators Earn Nothing
Not every Custom GPT creator gets paid. Common failure patterns include:
1. Building what ChatGPT already does
If users can get similar results from standard ChatGPT, they won't pay for your version. Your GPT needs unique methodology, proprietary knowledge, or specific workflow automation.
2. No access control
Sharing a public GPT link means anyone can use it for free. Without access codes or authentication, there's no mechanism to charge.
3. Wrong target market
Entertainment and novelty GPTs rarely monetize. Business GPTs solving expensive problems (legal, medical, marketing) have willing buyers with budgets.
4. No distribution strategy
Building a great GPT means nothing if no one knows it exists. Successful creators actively market through content, communities, and direct outreach.
How to Start Getting Paid This Week
To Building Custom GPTs: The Complete Technical Guide, see our Building Custom GPTs: The Complete Technical Guide.
To Building Custom GPTs: The Complete Technical Guide, see our Building Custom GPTs: The Complete Technical Guide.
Step 1: Choose your monetization model
For validation, start with access codes. They're instant to set up and prove demand before investing in more complex infrastructure.
Step 2: Set up access control
Platforms like TheGPTShop enable access code sales in minutes. No coding required. You generate codes, customers pay, and access is granted automatically.
Step 3: Find 10 paying customers
Validation target: 10 customers at USD 50-USD 100 each. If your GPT solves a real business problem, this proves demand. Your infrastructure cost is just USD 5 per code - you keep USD 45-95 profit per sale.
Step 4: Scale what works
Once validated, add subscription tiers, increase pricing, and expand to B2B licensing. Most USD 5,000+/month creators use 2-3 revenue streams.
For the complete guide to monetizing Custom GPTs, read How to Monetize Custom GPTs: The Complete Revenue Guide.
To Marketing Your Custom GPT: From Zero to Paying Customers, see our Marketing Your Custom GPT: From Zero to Paying Customers.
FAQ: Getting Paid as a Custom GPT Creator
To Marketing Your Custom GPT: From Zero to Paying Customers, see our Marketing Your Custom GPT: From Zero to Paying Customers.
Does OpenAI pay Custom GPT creators?
OpenAI has a GPT Builder Program that shares revenue with top creators, but it's limited in scope and availability. Most earning creators monetize independently through access codes, subscriptions, or services rather than waiting for platform payments.
How much do Custom GPT creators earn?
Revenue ranges from USD 0 (most creators) to USD 10,000+/month (top performers). The median for actively monetizing creators is USD 500-USD 2,000/month. Earnings depend on niche, pricing, and distribution strategy.
What's the fastest way to get paid from a Custom GPT?
Access code sales through platforms like TheGPTShop. You can set up monetization in 10 minutes, generate your first codes, and receive payment as soon as customers purchase. No technical setup required.
Do I need coding skills to monetize a Custom GPT?
No coding required for basic monetization through access codes or subscriptions. More complex models (SaaS packaging, custom integrations) may require development resources, but most creators start without any technical skills.
Is the Custom GPT market saturated?
No. The market is early. GPT Agents launched in late 2024, and most creators are still treating ChatGPT as a search engine rather than building revenue-generating automation. First movers in specialized niches have significant advantage.
Start Earning Today
Custom GPT creators absolutely get paid - just not the way most expect. OpenAI's revenue sharing is limited. Independent monetization is proven.
The creators earning USD 5,000+/month started by validating with access codes, then expanded to subscriptions and services. They didn't wait for platform payments.
Related Articles
- Can I Monetize and Charge for My Custom GPT?
- How to Price Your Custom GPT Access
- Custom GPT Monetization: 6 Revenue Models That Actually Work
Ready to monetize? TheGPTShop enables Custom GPT creators to sell access in 10 minutes - no coding, instant delivery, secure access control.
Sources & Citations:
- OpenAI GPT Builder Program documentation (2024-2025)
- Tyler Koerner, The Koerner Office Podcast
- Creator revenue surveys and marketplace data
