No one starts out making money in Stand-up comedy. In the early days (year 1 - 5) you will spend time and money driving, waiting, eating and putting on your own shows. Taking guest spots are a great way to get time in front of a non open-mic audience but they don't pay and you'll only get 5 minutes.
Hosting or emcee work is your first pay level, usually between $10 and $50 per show. You will get 10 minutes (if there is a guest spot your time will get cut down to 5). However, it will cost you $20 in gas plus tolls.
Comedy clubs pay between $75 and $200 per show for the feature comedian who comes on before the Headliner (after flying/or driving there and back it will cost you $300 unless you live there). These are usually experienced people who have been doing comedy between 5 to 10 years. The ones who want to get paid will hustle to get more gigs and exposure, which will increase the amount they can make (can't do it with a night job). As a feature you'll make about $10,000 to $15,000 a year...if you're lucky.
So don't get in the comedy business to make money, do it because you can't find a job. - Mike Stigs
-Mike Stigs
