One thing remains constant throughout World of Warcraft's many expansions. That's the need for gold. As such, players have to keep up with the latest in money-making methods to save up for emergencies. Here, we'll keep you updated on the latest WoW professions that are best for money-making.
But First, What are Professions?
Professions in WoW are trade-based skills that allow players to gather materials to create things. Essentially, it's the character learning a trade. There are two main types:
- Gathering Professions
- Crafting Professions
Crafting can be further divided into creating equipment, making consumables, or constructing single-use items with permanent effects. Gathering lets you gather resources, from herbs and ores to fish and other ingredients or treasure, as its name suggests.
Gathering Professions:
- Herbalism
- Mining
- Fishing
- Skinning
- Archaeology
Crafting Professions
- Alchemy
- Blacksmithing
- Enchanting
- Jewelcrafting
- Inscription
- Tailoring
- Leatherworking
- Cooking
- Engineering
You can only learn two 'primary' ones. Players typically take up a Gathering skill that complements a Crafting one. Examples of these are:
- Skinning and Leatherworking
- Herbalism and Alchemy
- Mining and Blacksmithing or Engineering
You can also learn Cooking, Fishing, and Archaeology without breaking the limit on primary professions, as they are secondary ones. It's possible to switch primary skills, but you will lose all your progress in your former trade if you ever want to return to it later.
These can be learned across races and classes, but players like matching things up. Mages and other spell users might take up Enchanting or Inscription. Rogues would do Leatherworking (and, by extension, Skinning) to create their own armor. It depends on their preferences.
There are also some racial skills to note, as some races have an ability that's beneficial to one or two professions.
How to Make Money with Professions?
Well, that depends on the one you trained in. If it's a gathering skill, you'll be selling the most in-demand or most expensive resource you can gather. Otherwise, you'll make what sells the most with a crafting one.
What are the Most Profitable Professions in WoW?
The top 5 most profitable trade skills are:
- Herbalism
- Mining
- Leatherworking
- Tailoring
- Blacksmithing
While Alchemy isn't listed here, you can still earn a lot from it. The need for potions is constant as long as people raid, so they will always sell. It's not on this list because those professions will let you earn more in slightly riskier sales.
Think of it this way, Alchemy gives you a steady income, while the other recommended professions are like bonuses you get from your job. One is a consistent flow of small sums, the other infrequent but larger quantities.
Anyway, you'll either supply craftsmen with the materials they need for their Legendary pieces or make them yourself. That's how you farm gold with professions.
Mining and Herbalism
Ores and herbs are sold in bulk in the AH due to crafters needing them. Even if they're pretty cheap since they're bought in bulk, your income accumulates, and you profit. Also, if you find that the Drgonflights' resources are too competitive, legacy materials can be your ticket to riches. They still sell well, and you'll have less competition as the majority focuses on the new ingredients.
Tailoring, Blacksmithing, Leatherworking
Making money through these three professions revolves around the creation of Legendaries. Though most of the initial rush to get them has calmed down, there's still an actual demand for legendary pieces, and you can take advantage of that.
You'll need some investment, though, but it'll return to you.
Alchemy
As mentioned before, potions and flasks are regularly needed by raiders. You can even exploit raid days by selling all of your wares at times when big guilds start raids. Aside from health and mana potions, Potions of Spectral [Stat] and Flasks of Power and Stamina are always excellent to sell.
On a related note, Cooking is a secondary profession that can let you earn lots of gold. Like Alchemy, you'll be making all kinds of beneficial food for raids, so it's like doubling up on making consumables. What's excellent about Cooking is that you can learn it as a third profession as a secondary skill.
Gather or Make Stuff to Earn Gold!
Professions are a welcome break from the humdrum of grinding and raiding in turns. Sure, you'll still be grinding for levels, but at least it's different. Plus, with the ingredients you've gathered or your crafted items, you're also helping other players out.
This is also one of the better ways to earn WoW gold, as it doesn't need to rely on RNG. Neither do you have to wait until raid day to get some rare items to sell. It can take some time, especially if you switched professions or are new, but a little patience goes a long way. Once you reach the higher levels, the gold should be rolling into your money bags consistently. However, income depends on the current market, so it can be higher sometimes and lower other times. Watch the trends so you can maximize profits.
Most of all, keep on having fun playing World of Warcraft!
