The highest earning competitive Fortnite players in the US have been revealed. Here's how some of the very best stack up against each other.
It's no secret that the esports industry is a particularly profitable one. A new study from Solitaired has only cemented this fact by revealing the highest earning competitive gamers in the United States. Fortnite in particular often elicits some surprised reactions from the general public, largely due to the young ages of some of the game's top competitors, even by esports standards. It's these pros that find themselves sitting at earnings upwards of $1 million â some before they're even old enough to drink.
The study focuses solely on the earnings of these players, not taking into account revenue earned from sponsorships or other sources, such as streaming. With that in mind, here are the top five highest earning Fortnite players in the US.
Top 5 Highest Earning Competitive Fortnite Players
1. Kyle "Bugha" Giersdorf - $3,175,211
Sitting comfortably as not only the highest earning Fortnite player, but the highest earning competitive gamer all-round, is Kyle "Bugha" Giersdorf.
Bugha shot to Fortnite fame after winning Solos in the first Fortnite World Cup back in 2019 at just 16-years old. Bugha competed as a member of esports organization Sentinels, walking away with $3 million in prize money and a place in Fortnite history. He continues playing Fortnite, regularly streaming the game on both Twitch and YouTube to 5.1 million and 4.2 million followers, respectively.
2. Harrison "Psalm" Chang - $1,958,450
Entering second place is Harrion "Psalm" Chang who previously played for Counter Logic Gaming before announcing his retirement in 2020. Psalm also found fame during the 2019 Fortnite World Cup, coming in second to Bugha during Solos. As a runner-up, Psalm took home $1.8 million in prize money from the World Cup.
These days, Psalm can be seen streaming Apex Legends and Valorant on his Twitch channel.
3. Shane "EpikWhale" Cotton - $1,354,667
Creeping into third place is Shane "EpikWhale" Cotton, having earned over $1.3 million in Fortnite winnings. EpikWhale currently plays for North American organization TSM, having joined just last week on June 3.
EpikWhale earned the majority of his winnings as part of NRG Esports, often competing alongside Duo teammate Diego "Arkhram" Lima. The pro took third place at the Fortnite World Cup 2019 for Solos, earning $1,200,000.
4. Nate "Kreo" Kou - $1,221,159
Number four is Nate "Kreo" Kou who most recently played for TheCartel Esports.NA before the team disbanded in February 2022. Back in 2020, Kreo received a 60 day suspension after allegations were made of his involvement with teaming during the Fortnite Champion Series.
Kreo took 4th place at the Fortnite World Cup in 2019 for Solos, walking away with $1,050,000 in prize money.
5. Rocco "Saf" Morales
Rounding up the top five is retired pro Fortnite player Rocco "Saf" Morales. Saf is the only player in this top five who didn't compete in Solos for the Fortnite World Cup in 2019, competing instead in Duos alongside Williams "Zayt" Aubin. The pair took fourth place in the 2019 World Cup, earning $1.5 million in prize money.
Saf placed 1st in FNCS: Season X Week 2: North America East last month, alongside Zayt and Brian "Zyfa" Wielgolaski, winning $20,000.
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