Wealth by Level Pathfinder: Gold & Gear by Level

If you are searching for wealth by level Pathfinder, you probably want one clear answer: how much gold or gear should a character have at each level?

The important thing is this: in Pathfinder, wealth by level usually means total character wealth, not just loose coins. It includes gold, weapons, armor, magic items, consumables, treasure value, and other useful gear your character owns.

For Pathfinder 1e, there is a direct Character Wealth by Level table. For Pathfinder 2e, the system works differently because new higher-level characters use a mix of permanent items and currency. This guide explains both in simple terms, with level 10, level 20, currency conversion, GM advice, and common mistakes.

Quick Answer: What Is Wealth by Level in Pathfinder?

Wealth by level in Pathfinder is the expected total value of a character’s equipment, treasure, coins, and magic items at a certain level. It helps GMs keep the party balanced and helps players create higher-level characters without being too weak or too overpowered.

For example, in Pathfinder 1e:

Character Level	Expected Wealth
Level 10	62,000 gp
Level 20	880,000 gp

That does not mean a level 10 character should walk around with 62,000 gold coins in a bag. It means their total character value should be around that amount after counting gear, magic items, consumables, and remaining gold.

Pathfinder 1e Wealth by Level Table

Here is the standard Pathfinder 1e character wealth by level table.

Character Level	Expected Character Wealth
Level 1	Varies by class starting gold
Level 2	1,000 gp
Level 3	3,000 gp
Level 4	6,000 gp
Level 5	10,500 gp
Level 6	16,000 gp
Level 7	23,500 gp
Level 8	33,000 gp
Level 9	46,000 gp
Level 10	62,000 gp
Level 11	82,000 gp
Level 12	108,000 gp
Level 13	140,000 gp
Level 14	185,000 gp
Level 15	240,000 gp
Level 16	315,000 gp
Level 17	410,000 gp
Level 18	530,000 gp
Level 19	685,000 gp
Level 20	880,000 gp

This table is most useful when a new character joins a campaign above level 1, a character dies and gets replaced, or a GM wants to check if the party is toorich or too poor for the challenges they face.

How Item Resale (The 50% Rule) Affects Total Wealth

In Pathfinder, selling unwanted equipment usually returns only 50% of its listed value. That means a character who loots a 1,000 gp item does not gain 1,000 gp of spendable wealth by selling it—they typically receive only 500 gp.

This matters when calculating total wealth because item value and actual cash are not interchangeable. A character can carry thousands of gold pieces worth of equipment while having far less liquid currency available for purchases, services, or new gear.

For GMs, the 50% resale value is important when awarding treasure. If a party is expected to sell unwanted loot, its effective wealth increase will generally be lower than the item’s full market value. Players should likewise avoid treating the listed price of every item they own as equivalent to money in their purse.

Does Wealth by Level Include Magic Items?

Yes, magic items usually count toward wealth by level.

This matters because Pathfinder characters often depend on gear. A character with the right magic items can handle tougher encounters, survive longer, and solve more problems. A character with too little gear may struggle even if their class features are strong.

Items that often count include:

Item Type	Example
Magic weapons	Enchanted swords, bows, or similar gear
Magic armor	Enhanced armor or shields
Wondrous items	Utility and stat-boosting items
Rings	Protection, resistance, utility
Wands and scrolls	Consumable magic
Potions	Healing or temporary effects
Valuable treasure	Gems, art, rare materials

The main idea is simple: if it gives your character usable value, it probably belongs in the wealth calculation.

Before buying expensive gear, always check:

Question	Why It Matters
Can my character actually use this item?	Avoid wasted gold
Does it fit an available item slot?	Prevent gear conflicts
Does it solve a real problem?	Improve performance
Is it better than upgrading core gear?	Avoid inefficient spending

Pathfinder 2e Treasure by Level

For characters entering a Pathfinder 2e campaign above 1st level, the game provides starting wealth guidelines that combine currency with permanent magic items. This gives players enough equipment to function at their new level without requiring the GM to build every item from scratch.

Character Level	Lump Sum Currency	Permanent Items
2	35 gp	1
3	75 gp	2
4	140 gp	2
5	270 gp	3
6	450 gp	4
7	720 gp	4
8	1,100 gp	5
9	1,650 gp	6
10	2,400 gp	6
11	3,500 gp	7
12	5,000 gp	8
13	7,000 gp	8
14	10,000 gp	9
15	14,000 gp	10
16	20,000 gp	10
17	30,000 gp	11
18	45,000 gp	12
19	65,000 gp	12
20	100,000 gp	13

These figures are best treated as character-building guidelines rather than mandatory wealth limits. The appropriate mix of currency and permanent items can vary depending on the campaign, available equipment, and the GM’s desired starting conditions. Paizo’s current Player Core and GM Core provide the modern PF2e rules framework for character advancement, treasure, and rewards.

Official Rules & Sources: PF1e vs. PF2e

Wealth by Level (WBL) is best understood as a character-building benchmark, not a strict rule that every NPC must follow. In Pathfinder 1e, the official wealth guidelines appear in the Core Rulebook (p. 399), while Pathfinder 2e addresses character wealth and treasure expectations through its Gamemastery Guide. These guidelines are designed primarily to help Game Masters maintain appropriate wealth and power levels for player characters. NPCs, however, can reasonably fall above or below those benchmarks when the story, role, or encounter calls for it.

Alternative Rules: Automatic Bonus Progression (ABP)

Automatic Bonus Progression (ABP) reduces the need for characters to acquire certain fundamental magic-item bonuses. Instead of relying on specific magic weapons, armor, and other items to provide expected numerical bonuses, characters gain these benefits automatically as they level.

Because ABP replaces part of the treasure normally allocated to permanent magic items, campaigns using the variant should generally award less permanent-item wealth—roughly 50% of the standard amount. The remaining treasure can focus on consumables, utility items, unique magic items, and other rewards that add options without duplicating the bonuses provided by ABP.

For GMs, the key point is simple: do not award standard treasure as if ABP were not active. Adjust permanent magic-item rewards downward so characters do not receive both the automatic bonuses and the full expected item progression.

How Much Gold Should a Level 10 Pathfinder Character Have?

A level 10 Pathfinder 1e character should have about 62,000 gp in total character wealth.

That includes equipment, magic items, useful consumables, and remaining gold. A level 10 character with only basic gear and a few thousand gold will probably feel weak, especially in a normal magic-item campaign.

At level 10, wealth matters because many characters need better weapons, stronger armor, resistance items, ability score boosters, utility items, and consumables. Martial characters especially can suffer if they fall too far behind expected gear value.

Level 10 Wealth Example

A simple level 10 wealth setup might look like this:

Item Type	Example Budget
Main weapon or offensive item	15,000–25,000 gp
Armor or defense gear	10,000–18,000 gp
Ability/stat item	8,000–16,000 gp
Utility magic items	5,000–10,000 gp
Consumables	2,000–5,000 gp
Remaining gold	Flexible

This is not a fixed build. It is just a practical way to think about the money. A wizard, rogue, fighter, cleric, ranger, or paladin will spend differently.

How Much Gold Should a Level 20 Pathfinder Character Have?

A level 20 Pathfinder 1e character should have about 880,000 gp in total character wealth.

At level 20, wealth is a huge part of character power. High-level Pathfinder expects characters to have strong gear, defensive items, mobility options, magic protections, and ways to handle dangerous effects.

A level 20 character with poor gear can look powerful on paper but perform badly in real encounters. At high levels, enemies often hit harder, resist more, move faster, and use stronger abilities. Gear helps characters keep up.

Level 20 Wealth Example

A level 20 character’s wealth may include:

Wealth Area	Purpose
Primary weapon or casting gear	Main offense
Armor and protection	Survival
Resistance bonuses	Saving throws
Ability score items	Core stats
Mobility items	Flight, teleportation, movement
Utility magic	Problem-solving
Consumables	Emergency options
Backup items	Situational threats

The exact spending depends on class and campaign style, but the key idea stays the same: level 20 wealth is not just treasure. It is part of the character’s expected power.

How Strict Should GMs Be With Wealth by Level?

GMs should treat wealth by level as a balance guideline, not a weapon.

That means the table is useful, but it should not control every single treasure decision. Campaign tone matters. A gritty low-magic campaign may use less wealth. A heroic high-magic campaign may give more treasure. The important thing is consistency.

If Players Have Too Little Wealth

If the party is far below expected wealth, they may struggle more than intended. This often hurts martial characters first because they rely heavily on weapons, armor, and defensive gear.

Signs the party may be under-geared:

Sign	What It Means
Encounters feel unfairly deadly	Gear may be too weak
Players cannot bypass resistances	They may need better tools
Saving throws are too low	Defensive items may be missing
Martial characters fall behind	Weapon/armor wealth may be low
Players avoid risks constantly	They may feel unequipped

A GM can fix this by adding useful treasure, giving access to shops, offering story-based rewards, or allowing players to sell unwanted loot and buy better gear.

If Players Have Too Much Wealth

Too much wealth can also cause problems. If players get powerful items too early, encounters may become too easy. Boss fights may fall apart. Defensive gear may make threats feel harmless.

Signs the party may be over-geared:

Sign	What It Means
Bosses die too quickly	Offense may be too high
Players ignore danger	Defense may be too strong
Treasure feels meaningless	Rewards may be inflated
One player dominates	Wealth may be uneven
Encounters need constant boosting	Gear may be ahead of level

Do not punish players for being smart. But if wealth has gone too high, slow future treasure instead of suddenly taking items away.

Starting Above Level 1: How to Use Wealth by Level

Wealth by level is especially useful when a character starts above level 1.

This happens when:

Situation	Why Wealth Matters
A new campaign starts at level 5 or higher	Characters need proper starting gear
A player joins an existing group	They should not be far behind
A character dies and gets replaced	Replacement character needs fair wealth
A one-shot starts at high level	Players need a gear budget
A GM allows rebuilds	Wealth keeps characters balanced

The clean approach is to give the new character total wealth equal to the expected value for their level, then let them buy appropriate gear with GM approval.

For example, a new level 10 Pathfinder 1e character should usually be built with around 62,000 gp total wealth. That does not mean the character starts naked with 62,000 gp in a purse. It means the player uses that amount to build a complete character with gear.

Common Pathfinder Wealth Mistakes

1. Treating Wealth as Cash Only

This is the biggest mistake. Wealth includes gear and items, not just coins.

2. Mixing Pathfinder 1e and Pathfinder 2e Rules

PF1e and PF2e use different wealth systems. Do not use the PF1e gold table for PF2e without understanding the difference.

3. Ignoring Magic Item Slots

Buying expensive items is pointless if the character cannot use them properly.

4. Giving Too Much Random Loot

A pile of random treasure may look valuable, but if players cannot use it or sell it, it does not help much.

5. Starving Martial Characters

Fighters, rogues, rangers, barbarians, paladins, and similar characters often need good gear to keep up. If wealth is too low, these classes may suffer.

6. Letting One Character Fall Behind

If one player has far less useful gear than everyone else, the game may feel unfair. Balance wealth across the party, not just across the campaign.

7. Forgetting Consumables

Potions, scrolls, wands, and other consumables matter. They may not feel exciting, but they often save characters in difficult encounters.

Best Way to Use Wealth by Level as a Player

As a player, use wealth by level as a planning tool, not as an argument.

Do this:

Good Player Behavior	Why It Helps
Ask your GM what wealth rules they use	Every campaign is different
Count your total gear value	Avoid misunderstanding
Spend on survival, not only damage	Better long-term character
Keep useful consumables	More flexibility
Avoid wasting gold on unused items	Better efficiency
Respect campaign tone	Less conflict with GM

Do not show up saying, “The table says I deserve more gold.” That is a fast way to annoy your GM. Use the table to start a helpful conversation.

Best Way to Use Wealth by Level as a GM

As a GM, use the table to check whether your campaign is drifting too far from expected balance.

Ask yourself:

GM Question	Why It Matters
Is the party close to expected wealth?	Balance check
Are rewards useful or just random?	Player satisfaction
Are some players far behind others?	Party fairness
Are encounters too easy or too hard?	Difficulty tuning
Does the campaign tone justify lower or higher wealth?	Style consistency

A low-wealth campaign can work. A high-wealth campaign can also work. The problem is not changing wealth. The problem is changing it without understanding the consequences.

FAQs About Pathfinder Wealth by Level

What is wealth by level in Pathfinder?

Wealth by level is the expected total value of a Pathfinder character’s gold, gear, treasure, magic items, and useful equipment at a specific level.

How much gold should a level 10 Pathfinder character have?

A level 10 Pathfinder 1e character should have about 62,000 gp in total wealth. This includes equipment and magic items, not just loose gold.

How much gold should a level 20 Pathfinder character have?

A level 20 Pathfinder 1e character should have about 880,000 gp in total wealth. At this level, gear and magic items are a major part of character power.

Does Pathfinder wealth by level include magic items?

Yes. Magic items usually count toward total character wealth because they have gold value and affect character power.

Is wealth by level a strict rule in Pathfinder?

It is better treated as a balance guideline. GMs can adjust wealth for low-fantasy, standard-fantasy, or high-fantasy campaigns.

Does Pathfinder 2e use the same wealth by level table?

No. Pathfinder 2e uses a different structure for higher-level new characters, usually involving permanent items and currency rather than only a PF1e-style gold table.

How many CP is 1 GP in Pathfinder?

1 gold piece equals 100 copper pieces.

How many GP is 1 PP in Pathfinder?

1 platinum piece equals 10 gold pieces.

How much is 1000 CP in Pathfinder?

1000 copper pieces equals 10 gold pieces.

What happens if a Pathfinder character has too little wealth?

A character with too little wealth may feel weaker than expected, especially if they lack proper weapons, armor, saving throw bonuses, utility gear, or magic items.

Can a GM ignore wealth by level?

Yes, but the GM should understand the balance effect. Lower wealth can make the game harder, while higher wealth can make characters stronger than expected.

Final Thoughts

The best way to understand wealth by level Pathfinder is to stop thinking only about gold coins. Wealth means the total value of a character’s useful resources: gear, treasure, magic items, consumables, and remaining money.

For Pathfinder 1e, the wealth table is a strong benchmark. A level 10 character should be around 62,000 gp, and a level 20 character should be around 880,000 gp in total wealth. For Pathfinder 2e, use the separate character wealth and treasure rules instead of copying PF1e numbers.

If you are a player, use wealth by level to build a fair and functional character. If you are a GM, use it to keep treasure rewards balanced without letting the campaign become too poor or too overloaded with magic items.