Star Citizen Money Making Guide: How to Earn aUEC
Star Citizen lets you earn money in many different careers, from hauling cargo to mining asteroids. aUEC (alpha UEC) buys ships, components and gear in the game. Here's how the main careers compare.
Last updated: Farming guide · Oct 18, 2026 · 2 min read
Missions to start
Delivery, bounty and investigation missions from the contracts screen are the easiest way to begin. They teach you how to fly, travel with quantum drive and land, and pay enough to buy your first upgrades.
Cargo trading
Buy goods where they're cheap and sell where they're expensive. Profits grow with cargo capacity, so bigger ships earn more per trip. Use a trading tool to find profitable routes and watch out for pirates around popular stations.
Mining and salvage
Industrial careers are popular and relaxing:
- Hand mining and small mining vehicles are a low-cost start.
- Ship mining earns more but needs the right ship and skill.
- Salvage turns wrecks into valuable materials.
- Refining ore increases its value before selling.
Combat and bounties
Bounty hunting rewards good pilots with steady pay, scaling with your reputation and ship. Upgrading weapons, shields and coolers helps a lot more than buying a bigger ship.
Wipes and persistence
Star Citizen is still in development, and in-game currency and items may be reset during major updates. Ships bought with real money stay with your account. Keep this in mind before grinding for long-term goals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to make aUEC in Star Citizen?
Beginners do well with missions, then move to cargo trading, mining or salvage as they get better ships.
What is aUEC?
Alpha UEC is the in-game currency used during development. It may be reset during major updates.
Is mining or trading better?
Trading scales with cargo capacity, while mining needs the right ship and skill. Many players do both.