MicrostockGroup

I read to that Shutterstock just had its 60 millionth download since 2005.

how much is simply a matter of how many images you can get online.

To get an idea of actual numbers look at the RPI average in the lower right.  Those numbers are the average of what people earn per image per month on the various sites.

If you add them up they are $1.6 per image per month.  And well I can tell you my earnings are not near that high, but i have lots of landscape and somewhat boring subjects and very few illustrations (which earn more)  but it gives you an idea.

Once you have 100 images or so online you will get an idea of what your RPI is and just figure out what 1000 images will earn you and how much you can make.

I am working as a full time microstock phtography.  It is the best job i have ever had

well the whole things is just guessing and approximation anyhow, but your earnings will also go down as images get older, and your new images at shutterstock are no longer new.

I think it would somewhat even out... but nonetheless if it was more than you calculated then you are in for a nice surprise... but it isn't going to be THAT much more.

My this years average per image is $1,39 only on IS.
You also should think about, that not the whole portfolio gives money. Only 39% of my images brings the income.

I am reporting my monthly earnings and actual payments from microstock in my "Pixels Away" blog (9 months so far):
http://www.pixelsaway.com/C911796005/index.html

I got 1 EL from SS in July. It makes a huge difference for a small portfolio.

My earnings distribution  shifted a little bit in September in comparison to previous months:
http://www.pixelsaway.com/C911796005/E20081001062254/index.html

IS and SS combined provided only 63% of my income in comparison to ~76% in July and earlier. It means that smaller players improved their performance. Each of them  (DT, StockXpert, 123RF, FT and FP)  provided 6-7% of income. So, at this time I am not ready to drop anything.

I have noticed that the people that make the most are of course uploading all the time. The more you have up the more you will get exposure on each site and sell more.
It is all about the numbers and quality of your images.
Always be looking at what is the most popular images selling.

12     months with microstock
546 - average size of my portfolio across 7 agencies

$0.53/image/month earnings (November) which is rather at the low end of microstock earning range

It very strongly depends on quantity and only much less on quality - I have online over 200 pics during last year (which I admit is not much) and aproximate YEAR rpi is $1,60 with portfolios at SS, DT and IS. Unless you upload regurarly in quantities eg. 20 pics per week forget about rpi like $1-2/month. Mind you I do not upload crap, I admit its mostly nature/travel which are less sellable but still do not expect more then 2x higher rpi even if you upload stock photos in same speed as me.

In case you want to know why I do not upload to all "big 6" - Im not going to upload to another 3 agencies just to get extra 10%, its not worth the time spent. FT rejected about 80% of pics with "we dont need this" - ok, I dont need them then 

I just cleared $1000 this week with my sales on istockphoto. Ample reward for 13 months shooting/editing/learning and uploading to my portfolio.
Some of the top contributors on istockphoto who regularly have 500+ sales ADAY will make slightly more than this though

apologies, just realized that you meant total!

I've been doing stock semi-full time for about 3 years. It's interesting, IS was the biggest earner for a long time, then SS for a while, then SX (they came on strong when they started), now Fotolia provides more every month. Same images, about the same number of images. I don't track my rpi for each agency but last year I earned $12,000 from the micros from about 600 - 1000 images, depending on the agency. I spent maybe $1000 on production costs, not counting my camera gear which I already owned, (20D and a few lenses, and an old speedotron strobe system I bought a long time ago, before I was into stock.) Most images I shoot are simple still life.

In comparison, I have 2000 images on Alamy, and earned about $2500 last year. I paid to place 20 images with Getty a year ago and have netted about $300, above the placement fee. Getty would be great if i didn't have to pay to play, but at $50 an image I don't think it's worth it.  I really want to be an assignment photographer, editorial portraiture, celebs and fashion but until I feel I have a good enough portfolio (and enough money) to market myself, it looks like microstock for me.