Money Making with Thieving in OSRS: A Comprehensive Guide

Money Making with Thieving in OSRS: A Comprehensive Guide


Thieving is one of the most engaging and profitable skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS). Whether you’re a low-level player looking to make some quick gold or a seasoned veteran aiming to maximize your hourly profits, thieving offers a variety of money-making methods. This guide dives deep into the best thieving strategies to earn gold pieces (GP), from pickpocketing NPCs to mastering blackjacking. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to turn your sticky fingers into a gold-making machine.

Thieving stands out in OSRS because it’s a skill that scales well with your level, requires minimal setup, and offers consistent profits without heavy investment. Unlike combat or resource-gathering skills, thieving relies on your ability to interact with the game world stealthily, making it both fun and rewarding.

Low Startup Costs

One of thieving’s biggest advantages is its accessibility. You don’t need expensive gear or rare items to get started—just your hands and a willingness to take risks. Basic food like cakes or trout can sustain you at lower levels, keeping costs low.

Scalable Profits with Levels

As your thieving level increases, so do your earnings. Early methods like pickpocketing men or farmers yield modest GP, but high-level techniques like blackjacking or stealing from Master Farmers can net you hundreds of thousands of GP per hour.

No Combat Required

For players who prefer non-combat money-making, thieving is ideal. You won’t need to fight monsters or risk dying in the wilderness—just avoid getting caught by NPCs!

Best Low-Level Thieving Money-Making Methods

4400K4 Hours OSRS Thieving Money Making Guide 42 Oldschool Runescape

If you’re starting with a low thieving level (1-40), there are still plenty of ways to make money. These methods are simple, beginner-friendly, and help you build your skill while earning GP.

Pickpocketing Men and Women (Level 1+)

At level 1, head to Lumbridge or Varrock and start pickpocketing men and women. Each successful attempt gives you 3 GP and 8 XP. While the profit is small—around 5K-10K GP per hour—it’s a solid starting point.

  • Location: Lumbridge, Varrock
  • Profit: 5K-10K GP/hour
  • Requirements: None

Stealing from Bakery Stalls (Level 5+)

At level 5, visit the bakery stalls in Ardougne or Kourend. You’ll steal cakes worth 16 GP each, which can be sold or used as food. Expect around 10K-20K GP per hour while gaining 16 XP per steal.

  • Location: East Ardougne, Kourend
  • Profit: 10K-20K GP/hour
  • Requirements: Thieving level 5

Pickpocketing Farmers (Level 38+)

At level 38, farmers near Lumbridge or Ardougne become viable targets. They drop seeds like potato seeds (cheap) or even rare ones like ranarr seeds (worth thousands). Profits can range from 20K-50K GP per hour depending on luck.

Mid-Level Thieving: Stepping Up Your Game

Once you hit thieving level 40-70, the money-making potential increases significantly. These methods require a bit more focus but offer better rewards.

Pickpocketing Master Farmers (Level 38+)

Master Farmers, found in Draynor Village or Hosidius, are a goldmine for seed drops. At level 38, you can start pickpocketing them, but higher levels (50+) reduce failure rates. Rare drops like ranarr or snapdragon seeds can push profits to 100K-200K GP per hour.

  • Location: Draynor Village, Hosidius
  • Profit: 100K-200K GP/hour
  • Requirements: Thieving level 38, gloves of silence (optional)

Blackjacking Bandits (Level 45+)

Blackjacking is one of the best mid-level thieving methods, offering up to 150K GP per hour at level 45. Head to Pollnivneach, equip a blackjack (bought from the Rogue Trader), and knock out bearded bandits. You’ll need food and some practice to master the rhythm.

Stealing from Silk Stalls (Level 20+)

In Ardougne, silk stalls at level 20 yield silk worth 60 GP each. With quick fingers and a nearby merchant to sell to, you can make 30K-50K GP per hour. This method shines if you’re training thieving alongside other skills.

High-Level Thieving: Maximizing Profits

At level 70 and beyond, thieving becomes a top-tier money-making skill. These methods demand higher attention but deliver massive GP per hour.

Blackjacking Menaphite Thugs (Level 65+)

Upgrade your blackjacking to Menaphite Thugs in Pollnivneach at level 65. With optimal clicking, you can earn 200K-250K GP per hour. The Desert Hard Diary boosts success rates, making this even more lucrative.

Level Profit (GP/hour) Requirements
65 200K-250K Blackjack, food, Desert Hard Diary (optional)

Pickpocketing Elves (Level 85+)

In Prifddinas, elves at level 85 drop valuable items like crystal shards and enhanced teleport seeds. Profits range from 300K-400K GP per hour, especially with the Rogues’ Outfit for double loot.

Stealing from Gem Stalls (Level 75+)

Gem stalls in Prifddinas or Kourend offer gems like sapphires and rubies, netting 200K-300K GP per hour. This method is less click-intensive than blackjacking and pairs well with banking profits.

Tips to Boost Your Thieving Profits

To get the most out of thieving in OSRS, optimize your setup and strategy. Here are some pro tips to maximize your GP per hour.

Use the Right Gear

Equip the Rogues’ Outfit (from Rogues’ Den minigame) to double pickpocketing loot at level 50+. Gloves of Silence reduce failure rates for early pickpocketing, while the Dodgy Necklace prevents stuns.

Complete Diaries and Quests

The Ardougne Diary (Medium) boosts pickpocketing success in Ardougne, while the Desert Hard Diary improves blackjacking. Quests like Song of the Elves unlock high-level targets like elves.

Bank or Drop Low-Value Items

For methods like Master Farmers, drop cheap seeds (e.g., potato seeds) and bank valuable ones. This keeps your inventory efficient and your profits high.

Practice Your Timing

Blackjacking requires precise clicks—knock out, pickpocket twice, repeat. Watch guides or practice on lower-level bandits to perfect your rhythm.

Thieving in OSRS is a goldmine waiting to be tapped. From humble beginnings pickpocketing farmers to raking in millions from elves, this skill offers something for every player. Start small, level up, and soon you’ll be funding your next big adventure with your thieving profits. Which method will you try first?