How to Make Money Early Wipe: EFT Guide

Learn how to make money early wipe by copying techniques veteran players use.

The early wipe phase in Escape from Tarkov can be really challenging, especially for new or returning players. With limited access to the flea market and barely any rubles to start with, staying financially stable can be tricky. So, if you’re running out of cash before unlocking the flea market or leveling up traders, this guide is for you. 

In this article, we’ll go through the best ways to make money early wipe. These methods won’t make you the richest player overnight, but they’ll keep your stash full, allow you to run better kits, and help you push through those early levels. 

Whether you’re utilizing your Scav properly, knowing what to loot, or running efficient PMC routes, this guide will cover everything you need to know to start making money. 

How to Make Money Early Wipe: Efficient Strategies

1. Utilizing Your Scav Efficiently

One of the biggest mistakes I see players make is not using their Scav properly. If you’re not Scav-running on cooldown, you’re leaving money on the table.

• Run Factory for Quick Cash – If you’re short on time, do a quick Factory raid. Head straight for extraction, picking up high-value loot on the way. On average, a Factory Scav run can net you around 300,000 rubles.
• Streets of Tarkov for Loot Density – If you have more time, Streets of Tarkov is the best Scav map for loot. More PMC spawns mean better loot spawns in filing cabinets and containers.
• Sell or Use Scav Gear – Keep the best gear for yourself and sell the rest to traders. Building a backup kit from Scav runs ensures you don’t have to buy gear for every PMC raid.

Also Read: EFT 0.16.0.0 Patch Notes: Wipe, Winter Season, and More!

2. Looting Smart: High-Value Items to Prioritize

Without the flea market, you need to focus on items that sell well to traders. Prioritizing the right loot means maximizing your rubles per slot.

• Weapon Attachments – Scopes, suppressors, lasers, and flashlights all sell for good money, especially to Mechanic or Skier.
• Medical Items – Injectors, vitamins, and high-end meds are great for quick cash at Therapist.
• Helmets & Headsets – Sell these to Ragman for decent returns.
• Gold & Streamer Items – Any item with a purple background (gold chains, streamer items) is worth picking up.
• Food & Melee Weapons – Jaeger buys food and melee weapons, and some melee weapons (like the Scav hatchet) sell for up to 50,000 rubles.

Avoid bulky low-value items like power cords or certain computer parts unless they’re needed for a quest or hideout upgrade.

3. Running Efficient PMC Money Routes

When playing as a PMC, efficiency is key. A good loot run should be safe, profitable, and allow you to extract reliably.

• Lighthouse Money Run – If you spawn near the Path to Lighthouse, loot the nearby cabins and move toward the extraction. The area is filled with weapon mods, valuable barter items, and rare loot.
• Interchange Electronics Store Run – The tech stores inside Interchange (Techlight, Techno, and Rasmussen) often have GPUs, CPUs, and power banks, which sell well to Mechanic.
• Reserve & Woods Stashes – Hidden stashes contain great loot with little risk. Running stash routes is a low-conflict way to make consistent money.
• Avoid High-Traffic PVP Zones – Unless you’re geared for a fight, avoid hot zones like Dorms (Customs) or Resort (Shoreline) early on.

By sticking to these routes, you can steadily build up rubles without constantly dying to geared players.

Also Read: When is the Next Tarkov Wipe? | April 2025

4. Maximizing Profits with Traders

Since the flea market isn’t available early on, selling items to the right traders is crucial.

• Sell items to the trader that pays the most – For example, Mechanic gives the best prices for weapon mods, while Therapist is best for meds.
• Leveling Traders Efficiently – Instead of just selling for maximum profit, prioritize selling to Jaeger and Skier early to level them up faster.
• Insurance Fraud – If you think you’ll die, stash your insured gear in a bush before engaging enemies. You’ll get it back if no one finds it.

Once you hit level 15 and unlock the flea market, your money-making potential skyrockets, but managing traders early wipe is what gets you there.

5. Alternative Methods to Make Extra Money

Besides looting and selling items, here are a few extra ways to make rubles.

• Arena Mode (If You Own It) – Completing dailies in Arena Mode earns GP coins, which can be exchanged for rubles or valuable items.
• Gambling on Insurance Returns – If you play smart and stash insured items properly, you’ll consistently get gear back for free.
• Hunting Player Scavs – Killing rogue Scavs and looting their bodies can be surprisingly profitable, especially in high-traffic areas like Interchange or Reserve.

These methods won’t make you millions overnight, but they’re useful for keeping your ruble count steady.

Also Read: How to use your SCAV: Escape From Tarkov

Safe and Easy Money Runs for Beginners

If you’re struggling to stay alive, here’s a safe beginner money run:

1. Spawn near Path to Lighthouse (Shoreline)
2. Loot small settlements – Prioritize weapon mods, barter items, and meds.
3. Avoid major combat areas – Stick to the outskirts.
4. Use vehicle extract if available – Always check for the Northern Vehicle Exit (white icon).
5. Profit!

This run is low-risk and nets you around 500,000 rubles per trip. Stick to low-traffic areas, loot efficiently, and extract safely.

Conclusion 

Making money early wipe in Escape from Tarkov isn’t about getting rich—it’s about staying afloat. Use your Scav on cooldown, prioritize high-value loot, run efficient PMC routes, and sell wisely to traders. 

By following these strategies, you’ll have enough rubles to keep yourself geared and ready for the challenges ahead. Now, get out there and start stacking rubles!