What jobs can you do in GTA 5 story mode?
As an experienced Grand Theft Auto fan who‘s sunk over 200 hours into GTA V‘s sprawling single player story mode, I‘ve tested out every method possible to build wealth for protagonists Michael, Franklin, and Trevor.
While causing mayhem is fun, making big money takes strategy. From perfectly-executed heists to odd jobs to exploiting the stock market, there are plenty of paths to raking in the big bucks across Los Santos and Blaine County‘s criminal landscape.
In this guide, I‘ll walk through the most profitable – and sometimes unconventional – jobs you can take on. Consider it your playbook to becoming a self-made millionaire in GTA V‘s story mode. Let‘s get started!
Core Story Missions
Completing Franklin, Michael and Trevor‘s saga across Los Santos‘ seedy streets is more than just gripping gameplay – it‘s also your main source of income.
Payouts per mission average from $5,000 on the lower end up to $50,000 for dramatic climactic heists. With 69 core story missions in total, skilled players can accrue over $2,500,000 by the epic finale. Factor in asset returns like protagonists‘ home break-ins, and dedicated completionists can walk away with nearly $3,000,000.
While Story Missions might seem like an obvious choice, don‘t gloss over them when planning your money-making strategies. They‘re guaranteed income opportunities with big payout potential.
Estimated Story Mission Earnings: $2,500,000+
Assassination Missions
Franklin‘s unique side hustle has you strategically assassinating corporate bigwigs to influence the stock market in your favor.
Time these covert murder missions right as you invest-and-cash-out on certain companies, and returns can exceed 150% per take-down. With the optimal strategy, skilled players have earned over $150 million through these missions alone!
To unlock Assassination Missions, complete the "Hotel Assassination" story mission as Franklin. Entry barriers are steep, but profit possibilities are staggering.
Potential Assassination Mission Earnings: $150,000,000+
Stock Market Manipulation
Spearheading assassinations is dirty work, but economic impacts send certain stocks soaring. Targeted elimination of rival CEOs, controversial billionaires and pharmaceutical bigwigs can earn you a massive ROI if you invest early.
My strategy is to save assassination missions until after inserting ample funds into the targets‘ competitors. Time sell-offs correctly after completing the hit, and returns routinely deliver 6-figure payouts per economic "correction".
This process takes patience, but channel your inner Gordon Gekko – high risk brings high reward.
Most Profitable Assassinations
While all assassination missions hold potential, the most profitable targets based on stock gains are:
| Mission | Target Company | Potential Earnings |
| The Hotel Assassination | Betta Pharmaceuticals | $150,000+ |
| The Multi-Target Assassination | Debonaire | $260,000+ |
| The Vice Assassination | Fruit Computers | $170,000+ |
Astute timing, nerves of steel, and a killer instinct lands you millions through GTA V‘s most profitable (yet morally bankrupt) meta side-hustle.
Heists
Elaborate, white-knuckle multi-stage missions pinning your crew against near-impossible odds – heists encapsulate GTA‘s high-stakes crime fantasy.
Assembling a squad and selecting the right approach is key. Go stealthy or go loud, but go precisely – failure nets you $0. Nail execution, and single job payouts bring life-changing sums.
By hitting huge scores like the Union Depository infiltrating the central bank or raiding FIB headquarters, apt planners can secure eight-figure windfalls on marquee missions alone.
Heists demand grit and precision…but deliver commensurate rewards.
Biggest Heist Payouts
The largest heist payouts in GTA V based on perfect performance are:
| Heist | Take | Potential Earnings |
| The Big Score (Obvious) | $201,600,000 | $201,600,000 |
| The Big Score (Subtle) | $201,600,000 | $201,600,000 |
| The Paleto Score | $800,000++ | $800,000 |
| The Bureau Raid | $500,000+ | $500,000 |
| The Merryweather Heist | $300,000+ | $300,000 |
By clearing all available heist chains, skilled crews can secure over $420 million in cumulative scores. Not too shabby!
Invest wisely in planning and personnel, then execute with finesse. Nobody said getting rich was easy…but heists deliver a direct line to untold fortunes when you (literally) play big.
Emergency Services Side Jobs
Defusing bombs and dousing infernos typically falls under public sector work…but Trevor Philips never cared for convention.
In his unique side jobs operating firetrucks and ambulances, you can bring mayhem to the streets while building Trevor‘s wealth. Simply steal an emergency vehicle then activate it to commence rides tracking progress by the number of people saved/rescued.
Each completed outing nets rewards up to $50,000 based on competency. Master paramedic and firefighting protocols in your mayhem machine to reap huge dividends!
Emergency Services Earnings Table
| Job | Max Rescues | Potential Earnings |
| Paramedic | 340 | $50,000 |
| Firefighter | 201 | $50,000 |
While emergencies and Trevor Philips seem a combustible mix, well-executed rides clear $100K quickly with an armed mobile fortress.
Help citizens (and aim some high-powered hoses) while filling your pockets!
Taxi or Tow Truck Gigs
When not consolidating funds through market moves or well-orchestrated scores, Franklin Clinton actually keeps things pretty blue collar.
Operating customized taxi cabs or tow trucks around Los Santos offers FDR some regular routes for regular money minus regular danger. Simply tap a button after acquiring the requisite vehicle, then transport NPC passengers safely for steady $50-$100 payouts each trip.
With convenience store margins, it won‘t rocket you to millionaire status…but provides honest paydays between criminal conquests!
Estimated Taxi/Tow Truck Income: $5,000-$10,000/hour
Other Side Hustles
Alongside taxi and tow ventures, other legitimate(ish) side jobs add income streams:
- Hunting: Track and sell animal hides, horns and other provisions to traders for supplements up to $2,000.
- Import/Export: Steal exotic vehicles and sell them for profit at seaport garages.
- Robbery: Hold up convenience stores, gas stations and other locations for quick infusions of a few hundred bucks.
- Collectibles: Gather spaceship parts, nuclear waste barrels, stolen celebrity items and more odd loot for black market payouts.
Playing the Stock Market Outside Missions
Beyond assassinations, riding macro trends through Los Santos‘ Liberty City-esque BAWSAQ and LCN stock exchanges offers a relatively safe path to grow your riches quickly.
Monitor headlines to identify growth potential then buy low and sell high across airlines, tech firms, biomed companies and other corporations viably positioned in GTA V‘s fictionalized market.
Judiciously investing even $100,000 at opportune times can often yield portfolio spikes of $500,000 or greater depending on volatility. Set aside some funds purely for market speculation – you can earn far faster returns than any bank!
Top Stocks I Recommend Buying
Based on growth potential from market events in GTA V‘s storyline, the best stocks to purchase are:
| Company | Potential Earnings |
| Augery Insurance (AUG) | 156%+ ROI |
| Merryweather Security (MW1) | 264%+ ROI |
| Radio Los Santos (RLS) | 156%+ ROI |
Use downturns across wars, scandals or PR crises to acquire shares cheaply, then offload on the resultant upswing. Enhance returns by researching headline impacts prior – stonks 101!
My Top 5 Money-Makers
After evaluating all money-making ventures in GTA V‘s sprawling single player campaign and consulting fellow experts on GTAForums, I present my top 5 recommended paths to amassing wealth:
- The Big Score: With potential solo takes over $200 million, the climaxCHAPTERS heist is a clear crown jewel. Just make sure your crew makes it out alive!
- Assassination Missions: Callous killings pays – manipulate markets to secure nine-figure portfolio gains courtesy of Franklin.
- The Bureau Raid: Breaching the FIB skyscraper takes precision, but feds have access to certain…liquidity. Raid their black budget!
- Market Speculation: Not too dirty, not too dangerous – invest wisely and let returns compound faster than any heist.
- Union Depository: Any self-respecting criminal dreams of infiltrating the central bank. While complex, its vaults hide untold billions…
Combining riches via above scoring big on singular jobs and long-term investing/controlling the markets – the dual-pronged approach is my blueprint to unlocking GTA‘s maximum wealth potential!
Just don‘t put it all into Los Santos real estate unless you want Lester ringing about princelings with funny names commandeering your property portfolio…
So there you have it – the top strats for stacking profits to reach mogul status across GTA V in 2022 and beyond. For any aspiring virtual billionaires, hopefully these tips help set you on the path to buying out Los Santos and filling warehouses with ill-begotten gains. I‘ll be eagerly awaiting GTA 6 to revival my lucrative criminal conquest!
