For most of Old School RuneScape’s history, combat has dominated the landscape of profitable gameplay. PvM bosses, high-level slayer, and rare combat drops have traditionally offered the highest GP-per-hour across the game. Skilling methods, by comparison, often suffered from deflation and demanded far less effort, driving their profitability down over time.
However, the last few years have reshaped the skilling environment dramatically. Jagex has introduced new mechanics, reworked older content, and designed skilling activities that reward attention, planning, and execution—not just idle gathering. As a result, skilling is now in one of the healthiest states it has ever been, featuring several methods capable of generating millions of OSRS gold per hour while providing competitive experience rates.
This article highlights the most profitable skilling money makers in OSRS as of 2025, spanning Mining, Smithing, Thieving, Runecrafting, Agility, Herblore, and Magic. Whether you are a skiller looking to maximise profit or simply wanting to diversify beyond PvM, these methods represent the top-tier options available today.
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Mining Crushed Infernal Shale
Requirements: 78 Mining, Dragon Pickaxe (strongly recommended)
Location: Chasm of Fire, southeast of Yama
GP/hr: 3–5M
XP/hr: 40–70k
Mining infernal shale is one of the newest and most profitable additions to OSRS skilling. Crushed infernal shale is a key ingredient for crafting Oathplate armour, causing demand—and price—to skyrocket. At roughly 2,500 GP each, this resource sits among the highest-value skilling materials in the game.
How the Method Works
The infernal shale mine contains multiple nodes that can be worked in three primary ways:
Option A: Standard Mining
Simply mine the rocks and crush them using a chisel and hammer. The crushed shale is stackable, allowing extremely long trips without banking.
- GP/hr: ~1M
- XP/hr: Lower due to slower mining
- Effort: Very low
Option B: Tick-Manipulated “Big Swing” Mining
Using Jim’s Wet Claw, obtained as a drop from a nearby demon, players can perform a tick-timed “big swing” that frequently mines an infernal shale node in a single hit.
Once mastered, this method yields:
- 1,600+ shale per hour, crushed into ~2,000 product
- 3–5M GP/hr, depending on GE prices
- High click intensity, but extremely rewarding
Given the current market, this method is arguably the most profitable non-combat skilling activity in OSRS.
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Smithing Oath Plate Armour
Requirements: 83 Smithing, access to the infernal furnace, and capital for materials
GP/hr: 12–15M
XP/hr: ~100k
Risk: High price volatility
Perhaps the single highest-profit skilling method in the game, Smithing Oathplate armour pieces leverages both infernal shale and Oathplate shards. Each piece takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and requires:
- 450 Oathplate shards
- ~2,500 crushed infernal shale
The finished Oathplate piece can yield 3–4M GP profit each, and with roughly four pieces crafted per hour, players can realistically earn 12–15M GP/hr.
Important Caveats
- Oathplate prices are volatile.
- GE tax consumes ~2M of the gross sale value per item.
- Requires substantial working capital.
- Can be competitive during peak hours.
Still, for high-level players with available funds and Smithing levels, this is currently the most profitable skilling activity in OSRS—period.
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Pickpocketing Elves (Enhanced Crystal Seeds)
Requirements:
- 85 Thieving
- Song of the Elves completion
- Rogues Outfit (mandatory)
- Shadow Veil spell (Arceuus spellbook)
- Ardougne Hard Diary
- 74–97 Herblore for divine potion crafting (optional, but boosts profit)
GP/hr: Up to 4M
XP/hr: ~150k
Pickpocketing Prifddinas elves has been one of OSRS’s most consistently strong skilling money makers for years. The profitability comes from the Enhanced Crystal Teleport Seed, valued around 3.5M GP and obtained at a rate of 1/1,000—but doubled by the Rogues Outfit.
Why It Works So Well
- High value rare drops
- Stackable crystal shards (30–40/hr), which can be turned into divine potions
- Low banking frequency using Redemption + Zamorak Brew healing
- Solid XP paired with excellent GP
While players will fail pickpockets often, the overall results remain exceptionally reliable, making this one of the most widely recommended late-game skilling methods.
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Zalcano (Reworked Skilling Boss)
Requirements: 70 Mining, Song of the Elves
GP/hr: 3–4M
XP/hr: Up to 80k (Mining)
The rework removing Zalcano’s forced three-down cycles transformed the boss from mediocre to outstanding. Kills can now be completed in a single knockdown, drastically increasing kill frequency.
Why Zalcano Is Strong
- Crystal shard income makes up ~50% of profit
- Uniques still drop without choosing “resources” mode
- Mining XP is strong for a skilling boss
- Low combat requirements
- Small teams (4–5 players) provide the best consistency
With the ability to earn crystal shards without sacrificing rare drops, Zalcano is one of the most efficient hybrid money-making methods for skillers and PvM-averse players alike.
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Mastering Mixology (Herblore Minigame)
Requirements: 60 Herblore (81 recommended)
GP/hr: 1.0–1.5M
XP/hr: ~80k
Mastering Mixology, introduced alongside Varlamore content, gives Herblore players a way to profit while training—something previously considered unrealistic.
Players craft specialised pastes and fulfil potion orders, accumulating points to purchase the Chugging Barrel, which sells for a consistent premium.
Key Advantages
- Converts one of the most expensive skills into a cost-neutral or profitable activity
- Decent XP for a minigame
- Minimal risk and stable item prices
While not as lucrative as other methods in this list, it fills a much-needed niche for profitable Herblore training.
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Runecrafting (All Tiers)
GP/hr:
- Wrath Runes (95 RC): ~3M
- Aether Runes (99 RC): ~3M
- Blood Runes: 1.5–2M
- Cosmic/Mist/Mud Runes: 1–1.5M
- All levels: profitable
Runecrafting remains the long-standing king of consistent, reliable money-making. Nearly every rune yields profit due to material costs being fixed and player demand remaining high.
The Ring of the Elements significantly improved accessibility to lower-level altars, making early/mid-level RC surprisingly profitable. If a player can tolerate the intensity or repetition, Runecrafting offers some of the most stable skilling income in the game.
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Hallowed Sepulchre
Requirements: 92 Agility for Floor 5
GP/hr: 1.0–1.7M
XP/hr: Best in the game
The Hallowed Sepulchre is the closest thing to PvM that a skilling method can provide. Precision, movement, and timing define the activity, and its high skill ceiling makes it uniquely engaging.
Why It’s Worth Doing
- Best Agility XP in OSRS
- Strong profit without relying on the Ring of Endurance
- Timed floors ensure a consistent pace
- Skill expression is rewarded
Floor 5 yields the highest profit (~1.7M/hr), while Floor 4 offers a solid entry-level option at ~1M/hr.
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Tan Leather Spell
Requirements:
- 78 Magic
- Lunar Spellbook
- Fremennik Hard Diary
GP/hr: ~1M+
XP/hr: Moderate Magic XP
The Tan Leather spell has been a reliable money maker for years due to its simplicity, accessibility, and low intensity. With only astral and nature runes plus a fire staff, players convert hides into high-value leather with practically no overhead beyond rune costs.
This method remains one of the best low-effort skilling money makers, ideal for semi-AFK gameplay or multitasking.
Final Thoughts
OSRS has entered a renaissance of profitable skilling methods. Whether through innovative minigames, boss reworks, new resources, or high-demand crafting materials, the gap between skilling and combat money-making has closed significantly.
If you’re looking to diversify your income, push your skill levels to new heights, or simply make money without swinging a sword, these skill-based money makers represent the top choices available in 2025.
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