Three ways people get paid in the IB world
| Independent IB | Employee of an IB firm or broker | Affiliate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | No | Often a base salary | No |
| Main income | Rebates, revenue share, CPA | Commission or bonus on top of salary | Mostly CPA per qualified client |
| Income stability | Varies month to month | More stable | Varies with campaigns |
| Costs | Marketing, tools, compliance, tax | Covered by employer | Ad spend, content costs |
Learn more in our guide to forex IBs vs affiliates.
How an independent IB's income is calculated
- Per-lot rebates: a fixed amount per lot your clients trade. Income rises and falls with trading activity. See forex IB rebates.
- Revenue share: a percentage of what the broker earns from your clients, often net of certain costs.
- CPA: a one-off payment per client who meets the deposit and trading conditions.
- Hybrid: a combination, such as a smaller CPA plus a rebate.
Our comparison of CPA vs revenue share vs rebates includes worked examples.
What really drives IB income
- Active clients, not sign-ups. Accounts that never fund or trade pay nothing.
- Client retention. Recurring models only pay while clients keep trading.
- Deal terms. Payout basis, minimums, clawbacks and account conditions change what a headline rate is worth.
- Market conditions. Trading volume swings with volatility, so monthly income does too.
- Compliance. Breaking marketing rules can end a partnership and freeze payouts.
Costs and taxes to plan for
Treat IB income as business income: track your marketing spend, software, content production and any licensing or legal costs, and set money aside for income tax and, where it applies, VAT or GST. Rules differ by country, so speak to an accountant. Payouts can also arrive in different currencies or methods; our guide to IB payouts covers that.
Jobs that do pay a salary
If you want a salary, look at roles inside brokers and IB firms: partnership or affiliate managers, business development, client support and compliance. In some countries, salespeople who solicit clients must be registered (in the US, for example, as associated persons of an FCM or IB). See FCM vs introducing broker.
Frequently asked questions
Do introducing brokers get a salary?
Independent introducing brokers don't. They are paid commissions by brokers based on their clients' activity. Only people employed by an IB firm or broker usually receive a salary.
How much does an introducing broker earn?
There's no typical number. Income depends on active clients, how much they trade, how long they stay and the deal terms. Read how much introducing brokers earn for the factors in detail.
Is IB income passive?
Not really. Recurring commissions continue only while clients trade, and keeping clients active takes ongoing education, support and compliant marketing.
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