Best Skilling Money Makers in OSRS: Profitable Methods for All Levels

Hey there, Scapers! If you’re diving into Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and want to make some serious gold pieces (GP) while leveling up your skills, you’ve landed in the right spot. I’ve been grinding OSRS for years, from my noob days mining coal to maxing out skills and banking millions. Skilling is my jam—it’s chill, sometimes AFK, and can make you rich without swinging a sword. In this guide, I’m sharing the best skilling money makers for 2025, perfect for all levels, whether you’re a level 3 fresh off Tutorial Island or a high-level pro. I’ll throw in my own stories, tips, and a friendly vibe to keep it real. Ready to skill and stack GP? Let’s get started!

Why Skilling Is a Great Way to Make Money

Skilling in OSRS isn’t just about XP—it’s a gold mine if you know the right methods. Unlike bossing or PvP, skilling is low-risk, often relaxing, and works for both F2P and P2P players. I remember my first big GP haul from smelting steel bars, feeling like I’d cracked the code to wealth. These methods let you train skills and fill your bank at the same time. Plus, who doesn’t love a good AFK grind while watching Netflix?

What’s your favorite skill to grind? Mining, Fishing, or something else? Drop it in the comments!

My Top 8 Skilling Money Makers for 2025

These methods are picked for profit, accessibility, and fun, covering a range of skills and levels. I’ve included profits (based on 2025 Grand Exchange prices), requirements, and my own experiences to help you choose. Prices fluctuate, so always check the GE before jumping in. Let’s break it down!

1. Collecting Cowhides (F2P)

• Profit: ~150k–300k GP/hour

• Requirements: None (10+ Combat helps), empty inventory

• Skill: None (Combat for killing cows)

• Location: Lumbridge cow fields

Cowhides are the ultimate noob-friendly money maker. I started here, swinging a bronze sword in Lumbridge, dreaming of buying a rune scimitar. Kill cows, grab hides, bank at Lumbridge Castle, repeat. It’s slow but zero-risk and needs no skills. I once spent a whole Saturday collecting 1,000 hides, banking 150k GP and feeling like a king. Perfect for beginners!

Pro tip: Use the top floor of Lumbridge Castle to bank faster.

Ever grinded cowhides? It’s nostalgic, right?

2. Mining Iron Ore (F2P)

• Profit: ~200k–400k GP/hour

• Requirements: 15 Mining (41+ for faster XP), pickaxe (rune if possible)

• Skill: Mining

• Location: Al Kharid mine or Varrock southeast mine

Mining iron was my go-to AFK grind as a low-level player. You mine iron ore, drop it (if power-mining) or bank at Varrock for profit. I’d chill with YouTube on, clicking rocks and stacking ore. Al Kharid’s close to a bank, but Varrock’s quieter. Higher Mining levels make it faster, and the XP is a nice bonus. I hit 60 Mining here and made enough for my first bond.

• Gear tip: Beg for a rune pickaxe if you’re broke—it’s a game-changer.

What’s your favorite mining spot?

3. Smelting Steel Bars (F2P/P2P)

• Profit: ~250k–450k GP/hour

• Requirements: 30 Smithing, iron ore, coal (2:1 ratio), furnace access

• Skill: Smithing

• Location: Al Kharid or Falador furnace

Smelting steel bars was my First big skilling win. Buy iron ore and coal from the GE, smelt at Al Kharid, and sell the bars. I’d stock up on ores, smelt while chatting in my clan, and bank decent GP. It’s semi-AFK but needs startup cash. I once miscalculated margins and lost 50k—always check GE prices! This method’s great for F2P or P2P players leveling Smithing.

• Tip: Rings of forging save coal if you’ve got extra GP.

4. Fishing Lobsters (F2P/P2P)

• Profit: ~200k–350k GP/hour

• Requirements: 40 Fishing, lobster pot, Catherby access (P2P) or Karamja (F2P)

• Skill: Fishing

• Location: Catherby (P2P) or Karamja (F2P)

Fishing lobsters is a classic. I spent hours in Catherby, fishing and banking while vibing to music. In F2P, Karamja’s your spot, but you’ll need 30 GP per trip for the boat. I’d fish lobsters to relax after a long day, and the steady GP was a bonus. Higher Fishing levels mean faster catches, and it’s super AFK. I hit 70 Fishing here and funded my first rune set.

• Tip: P2P players, use a harpoon for faster banking in Catherby.

Ever fished for hours? It’s chill but addictive!

5. Tanning Dragonhides (P2P)

• Profit: ~800k–1.2M GP/hour

• Requirements: 20k–50k GP startup, Al Kharid access

• Skill: None (Crafting XP if you make leather items)

• Location: Al Kharid tannery

Tanning black dragonhides is a click-heavy but easy method. Buy dragonhides from the GE, tan them at Ellis in Al Kharid, and sell the leather. I’d do this while watching Netflix, banking over a mil an hour. It’s my go-to when I’m low on cash but want fast GP. Check GE margins daily—prices can dip. I once made 2M in a day when black dragonhides spiked!

My tanning story: “I tanned so many hides, I dreamed of dragons for a week.”

What’s the most you’ve made tanning?

6. Crafting Nature Runes (P2P)

• Profit: ~1.2M–1.5M GP/hour

• Requirements: 44 Runecrafting (91 for max profit), pure essence, Abyss access

• Skill: Runecrafting

• Location: Nature Altar via Abyss

Runecrafting used to bore me to death until I tried nature runes. You craft them via the Abyss, dodging PKers in the Wilderness. I got good at juking mages in the Abyss—felt like a pro! Higher Runecrafting boosts profits, but even at 44, it’s solid. I died once with 200 essence, but the next run paid for my loss. Bring pouches for more essence and teleports for safety.

• Gear: Lightweight armor to avoid PKers.

Ever braved the Abyss? It’s a rush!

7. Mining Amethyst (P2P)

• Profit: ~600k–900k GP/hour

• Requirements: 92 Mining, pickaxe, Mining Guild

• Skill: Mining

• Location: Mining Guild (Falador)

Amethyst mining is my favorite AFK method. You mine crystals in the Mining Guild, which turn into dart tips or bolts for profit. I maxed my Mining here, chatting in my clan while barely clicking. It’s chill, and the XP is great. I’d set up my laptop, mine, and do homework—multitasking for the win! High Mining levels make this a steady earner.

• Tip: Dragon pickaxe speeds things up if you can afford it.

What’s your go-to AFK skill?

8. Blast Furnace Smithing (P2P)

• Profit: ~900k–1.3M GP/hour

• Requirements: 60 Smithing (higher for better bars), Ice Gloves, coal bag

• Skill: Smithing

• Location: Blast Furnace (Keldagrim)

Blast Furnace is where I hit 99 Smithing and made bank. Smelt mithril or adamantite bars for profit in a clan world to split costs. It’s semi-AFK but needs focus for efficiency. I joined a Blast Furnace world and made friends while smelting—OSRS community vibes are the best. Higher Smithing levels pump up profits, and the XP is awesome.

• Tip: Stamina potions help you run faster to the bank.

Ever tried Blast Furnace? It’s a game-changer!

Profit and Requirements Table

Here’s a quick comparison of these skilling methods. Profits are estimates for 2025, so check the GE for updates.

Method	Profit (GP/hour)	Skill Level Needed	Skill	F2P/P2P	AFK Level
Cowhides	150k–300k	None	None	F2P	Low
Mining Iron Ore	200k–400k	15 Mining	Mining	F2P	High
Smelting Steel Bars	250k–450k	30 Smithing	Smithing	F2P/P2P	Medium
Fishing Lobsters	200k–350k	40 Fishing	Fishing	F2P/P2P	High
Tanning Dragonhides	800k–1.2M	None (startup GP)	None	P2P	Medium
Nature Runes	1.2M–1.5M	44 Runecrafting	Runecrafting	P2P	Medium
Mining Amethyst	600k–900k	92 Mining	Mining	P2P	High
Blast Furnace	900k–1.3M	60 Smithing	Smithing	P2P	Medium

My Skilling Journey to Riches

I didn’t start as a skilling pro. My first mil came from cowhides, banking 500 at a time and cheering at 50k GP. Then I moved to mining, fishing, and smelting, each method teaching me patience. Tanning dragonhides was my Big break, funding my first bond. By the time I hit amethyst and Blast Furnace, I was hooked on skilling for profit. Every skill level up felt like a step toward millions. What’s YOUR skilling story? Did you start with cows too?

Skilling’s not just about GP—it’s about the grind. I’d spend hours fishing lobsters, chatting with randoms in Catherby, or dodging PKers in the Abyss. Those moments make OSRS special. Whether you’re F2P or P2P, there’s a method here for you.

Tips to Maximize Your Skilling Profits

Here’s what I learned from years of skilling:

• Track GE Prices: Ores, bars, and hides fluctuate. Use the OSRS Wiki or GE tracker to stay ahead.

• Upgrade Gear: A rune pickaxe or harpoon speeds up Mining and Fishing. I borrowed one from a clanmate once—huge difference!

• Join Clan Worlds: Blast Furnace and Abyss runs are better with friends. My clan saved me tons of GP.

• Mix AFK and Active: Alternate AFK methods like amethyst with active ones like tanning to stay engaged.

• Bank Smart: Don’t carry too much in the Wilderness (looking at you, nature runes).

What’s your top skilling tip?

FAQs

Q: What’s the best F2P skilling money maker?
A: Mining iron ore or smelting steel bars. Both are chill and profitable.

Q: Can I make a bond with these methods?
A: Yup! Tanning or nature runes can get you there in a week.

Q: What’s the most AFK method?
A: Mining amethyst or fishing lobsters. Barely need to click!

Q: Do I need high skills for these?
A: Nope! Cowhides and tanning need no skills, and others start low.

Q: Is the Wilderness safe for Runecrafting?
A: It’s risky but manageable. Use low-pop worlds and teleports.

Conclusion

Skilling in OSRS is a goldmine if you pick the right methods. From collecting cowhides as a noob to smelting bars at the Blast Furnace, these eight money makers work for all levels in 2025. I’ve been there, grinding ores, fishing lobsters, and tanning hides to build my bank. Whether you’re F2P, P2P, or just love skilling, there’s something here for you. Start small, check those GE prices, and watch your GP stack up. What method are you trying first? Let me know below, and let’s get skilling!