The cost-of-living crisis has forced many Londoners to get creative with how they make money, and for thousands, that means turning on a webcam.
As bills soar and wages stagnate, an increasing number of people across the capital are signing up to cam sites in hopes of earning quick, flexible income from home. For some, it’s a side hustle. For others, it’s become a full-time job. But is camming really the moneymaker people think it is?
A “Flexible Lifeline” in an Uncertain Economy
The UK’s financial climate remains bleak. The average London rent passed £2,700 last year, and inflation may have cooled, but paychecks still struggle to keep pace with real-life costs. With traditional side jobs failing to deliver, cam work has quietly grown into a new kind of digital labour.
And unlike the slog of waiting tables or taking on shifts in retail, cam work offers something many Londoners desperately need: autonomy.
“I didn’t want to be chained to a 9-5 or a zero-hours contract anymore,” says Saskia, one of the many cam models specialising in adult video chat. “I was already posting content on Instagram that some would say was a little revealing. So I got into camming as a side hustle, then realised it paid a hell of a lot better than my regular job.”
There are some sites out there, like Flirtbate, that have lowered the barriers to entry and made it easier than ever for beginners to sign up, stream, and get paid. One such site is the adult livestreaming site, Flirtbate.
“The site offers up to 80% payouts to its performers,” says Saskia. “The site also claims to be beginner-friendly, open to all body types, and — crucially for me — doesn’t require the kind of social media graft needed to build an OnlyFans empire.”
While OnlyFans may dominate headlines, the platform is notoriously competitive. Success often hinges on how well a creator markets themselves. For those who don’t have the time, confidence, or energy to play the social media game 24/7, camming can feel like a more manageable alternative.
On cam sites, income is driven by live viewers, private requests, and digital tipping. Models don’t have to post daily reels or fight with Instagram’s shadow-banning algorithm just to get seen.
Is It Really a Big Money-Maker, Though?
It’s easy to find stories of cam girls earning thousands per week. But what’s the reality?
Cam girls in the UK can earn varying amounts, with estimates ranging from £22,000 to £38,000 per year. Some individual performers report earning up to £150 per day. Of course, the specific amount earned depends on how much they stream, how they engage with viewers, and the time of day they go live. While these numbers aren’t guaranteed, they’re far from rare, especially for performers who treat it like a business.
Saskia agrees: “If you log on consistently and get to know your audience, the money comes. You don’t need to be super famous — you just need to be comfortable performing, talking, and staying online.”
She adds that many of her fellow London cam models treat it like shift work — clocking on for 4-6 hours per night, five nights a week.
“There’s a real human side to it,” says Saskia. “One of my regulars just wants someone to chat with when he gets home from work. I don’t even take my clothes off most nights. It’s quite wholesome sometimes — and I still get paid for it.”
Is Camming for Everyone?
No… not exactly. While cam work has become more visible and widely accepted, it’s not an instant fix for financial stress. It requires confidence, thick skin, and serious time commitment.
Those dreaming of becoming overnight stars might be disappointed. As Saskia puts it, “Your need to be consistent, you need to learn how to talk dirty, read signals, promote yourself a bit… It’s still work. It’s just better paid and way more fun than retail.”
Plus, not everyone is comfortable with the idea of sexual content being recorded, even if cam sites often prohibit screen-recording. Privacy concerns and potential stigma remain key factors stopping some people from diving in.
Still, the Numbers Are Climbing
Despite the challenges, interest continues to rise. More and more people — especially women and queer creators —are turning to camming not just out of financial desperation, but because it offers autonomy in a world where the job market is increasingly rigid.
Camming won’t suit everyone, and it won’t make you rich overnight. But for those who are confident, motivated, and realistic, it’s a flexible way to pay the bills — and then some.
And with bills showing no signs of dropping? Expect more webcams flicking on across the city.
