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Best Skill Money Making OSRS Guide

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a game that’s all about grinding, exploring, and, let’s be honest, making that sweet in-game gold. Whether you’re saving up for a fancy new weapon, a shiny piece of armor, or just want to flex your wealth in the Grand Exchange, finding the best skill money making methods is key. As someone who’s spent countless hours in Gielinor, I’ve tried my fair share of money-making techniques, from flipping items to slaying dragons. Some worked like a charm; others… well, let’s just say I learned the hard way. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the top skills for making money in OSRS, share personal tips, and break down what works best for different playstyles. Ready to stack those coins? Let’s dive in!
Skills in OSRS aren’t just about leveling up or unlocking new content. They’re your gateway to consistent, reliable cash flow. Unlike risky PvM (player vs. monster) methods where you might lose your gear, skilling is low-risk and often chill. You can Netflix and skill, or go hardcore with efficiency. The best part? You don’t need a maxed account to start. I remember when I was a noob with a measly 40 Attack, scraping by with fishing lobsters. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me that skills can pay the bills.
So, which skills are the best for making money? Let’s break it down by category, focusing on the ones that consistently bring in the big bucks. I’ll also share what I’ve learned from my own grind, including a few mistakes I made along the way.
Top Money-Making Skills in OSRS
Mining: Digging for Gold (Literally)
Mining is one of the most straightforward ways to make money. You grab a pickaxe, find some rocks, and start swinging. But not all rocks are created equal. Amethyst mining and blast mining are where the real money’s at for high-level players, while lower levels can still profit from simpler methods.
High-Level Mining (70+)
When I hit 70 Mining, I decided to give amethyst mining a shot in the Mining Guild. With a decent pickaxe and some stamina potions, I was pulling in around 400k-500k GP per hour. Amethyst crystals sell for a pretty penny on the Grand Exchange, and the best part? It’s AFK (away from keyboard). I’d mine while catching up on my favorite shows. Pro tip: Use a dragon pickaxe if you can afford it for faster mining.
Another method I’ve tried is blast mining. This one’s a bit more click-intensive, but it’s exciting. You use dynamite to blow up rocks in the Lovakengj Mine, and the ores you get (like runite) can net you up to 700k GP per hour at high levels. My first time, I messed up the timing and wasted a bunch of dynamite. Lesson learned: Watch a quick YouTube guide before diving in!
Low-Level Mining (1-70)
Don’t have high Mining yet? No worries. Iron ore mining at level 15 is surprisingly profitable. I used to mine iron in the Al Kharid mine, banking the ores for about 100k-150k GP per hour. It’s repetitive, but it’s a solid start for newbies.
Mining Method |
Level Required |
GP per Hour |
AFK Level |
---|---|---|---|
Iron Ore |
15 |
100k-150k |
High |
Amethyst |
70 |
400k-500k |
High |
43 (75 recommended) |
500k-700k |
Medium |
Quick tip: Always check Grand Exchange prices before selling. Ore prices fluctuate, and you don’t want to undersell your hard-earned haul.
Runecrafting: Magic Money from Runes
Runecrafting has a reputation for being a grind, and trust me, I used to dread it. But once I pushed through to higher levels, it became one of my favorite money-makers. Why? Because runes are always in demand, especially for high-level spells like Barrage.
High-Level Runecrafting (77+)
At 77 Runecrafting, you unlock blood runes, which are a goldmine. Using the True Blood Altar in the Arceuus House, you can craft blood runes at a rate of about 600k-800k GP per hour. I remember my first blood rune run. I was nervous about dying in the Wilderness, so I brought cheap gear and practiced the route. After a few trips, I was banking millions. The key? Use the Abyss for faster access, but watch out for PKers (player killers).
If you’re 91+, wrath runes are even better, pushing profits to 800k-1M GP per hour. I haven’t reached that level yet, but a buddy of mine swears by it. He says the extra effort to get 91 is worth every second.
Low-Level Runecrafting (1-77)
For lower levels, air runes or fire runes are your best bet. At level 1, you can craft air runes for about 50k-100k GP per hour. It’s not much, but it’s a start. I used to craft fire runes at level 14, hopping worlds to avoid crowds at the Fire Altar. It was tedious, but it funded my early gear upgrades.
Why is Runecrafting so profitable? Demand for runes never drops. Mages need them for training, PvP, and bossing. Plus, it’s low-risk if you stick to safe methods.
Hunter: Trapping Profits
Hunter is one of those skills people sleep on, but it’s a hidden gem for money-making. I stumbled into Hunter when I was bored of mining and wanted something more active. Turns out, it’s both fun and profitable.
High-Level Hunter (63+)
At 63 Hunter, you can start catching chinchompas in the Feldip Hills. Red chinchompas are the real money-maker, fetching around 800-1k GP each on the GE. With decent focus, you can make 700k-1M GP per hour. My first time hunting chins, I set up my traps wrong and caught nothing for an hour. Embarrassing, right? But once I got the hang of it, it was smooth sailing. Use box traps and bring some food in case you get attacked by local monsters.
At 80+, black chinchompas in the Wilderness are even better, netting up to 1.5M GP per hour. But beware: the Wilderness is risky. I got PKed once and lost a full inventory. Now I only bring what I’m willing to lose.
Low-Level Hunter (1-63)
For beginners, birdhouse runs are a must. You can start at level 5, and with four birdhouses, you’ll make around 50k-100k GP every 50 minutes with minimal effort. I do birdhouse runs while doing other tasks, like studying or cooking dinner. It’s passive income at its finest.
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Birdhouse Run Tips:
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Use digsite pendants for quick Fossil Island teleports.
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Stock up on yew birdhouses for the best profit.
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Do runs every 50 minutes for maximum efficiency.
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Question: Ever tried Hunter? It’s way more fun than it sounds!
Farming: Growing Your Bank
Farming is my personal favorite for money-making because it’s so chill. You plant crops, wait a bit, and come back to profits. It’s like having a side hustle that runs itself.
High-Level Farming (70+)
At 70 Farming, you can plant snapdragon or torstol herbs, which sell for a ton. A single herb run with 6-8 patches can net you 500k-1M GP in just 10 minutes of work every 80 minutes. I started doing herb runs religiously when I hit 70, and it funded my entire Barrows gear set. My go-to patches are Catherby, Ardougne, and Hosidius. Use ultracompost to boost your yields it’s a game-changer.
Tree runs are another great option. Planting magic trees or palm trees at 75+ Farming can bring in 200k-400k GP per run. I do these daily while sipping coffee. It’s relaxing and profitable.
Low-Level Farming (1-70)
New to Farming? Start with potato cacti at level 64 or ranarr weeds at 32. These are in high demand for potions and can make you 100k-300k per run. When I was leveling Farming, I stuck to ranarrs and made enough to buy my first dragon scimitar.
Pro tip: Get the Farming Guild contract for extra rewards. It’s like a bonus paycheck for doing what you’re already doing.
Farming Method |
Level Required |
GP per Run |
Time per Run |
---|---|---|---|
Ranarr Weeds |
32 |
100k-300k |
5-10 minutes |
Snapdragon Herbs |
62 |
500k-1M |
5-10 minutes |
Magic Trees |
75 |
200k-400k |
5-10 minutes |
Other Notable Skills
Not every skill is a goldmine, but some deserve an honorable mention:
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Woodcutting: Chopping yew logs (level 60) or magic logs (level 75) can make 100k-300k GP per hour. It’s super AFK, but profits are modest compared to others.
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Fishing: Monkfish (level 62) or anglerfish (level 82) bring in 150k-400k GP per hour. I used to fish monkfish while studying for exams. It’s chill but slow.
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Cooking: High-level players can cook raw sharks or karambwans for 100k-200k GP per hour. It’s not the best, but it’s steady.
Which skill suits you best? If you like AFK methods, go for Mining or Farming. Prefer active gameplay? Try Hunter or Runecrafting.
My Biggest Money-Making Mistakes (Learn from Them!)
I’ve made plenty of blunders in OSRS. One time, I tried blast mining without reading up on it and wasted 100k on dynamite with zero profit. Another time, I sold my herb run loot during a market crash and lost half my earnings. Here’s what I learned:
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Always check GE prices. Don’t sell when prices are low.
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Research before you start. A quick guide can save you hours of frustration.
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Diversify your methods. Relying on one skill can burn you out.
Tips for Maximizing Profits
Want to make the most of your skilling? Here’s what I’ve picked up over the years:
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Use the right gear: Items like the graceful outfit or lumberjack outfit boost efficiency.
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Leverage teleports: Invest in teleport jewelry or fairy rings to save time.
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Track prices: Use tools like GE Tracker to sell at peak prices.
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Mix it up: Combine skills like Farming and Hunter for passive income while you do active methods like Mining.
Question: What’s your favorite money-making method? Drop a comment if you’ve got a secret tip!
Final Thoughts
Making money in OSRS through skilling is all about finding what fits your vibe. Whether you’re chilling with Farming runs or sweating it out with Runecrafting, there’s a method for everyone. My journey from a broke noob to a decently wealthy player taught me that patience and strategy are everything. Start small, experiment with different skills, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Before you know it, you’ll be swimming in gold pieces.
What’s next for you? Pick a skill, give it a shot, and let me know how it goes. Happy grinding!