Alex Honnold makes his living as a professional rock climber, media personality, and speaker, with income from sponsorships, films/TV projects, books, and high-profile events.

What does Alex Honnold do for a living?

Today, his work is a mix of climbing, media, and business:

  • Professional adventure rock climber, especially famous for bold free-solo ascents like El Capitan in Yosemite.
  • Star of documentaries and TV projects (for example, the Oscar-winning film “Free Solo” and newer series and specials).
  • Co‑host of the “Climbing Gold” podcast, where he talks about climbing culture and stories from the sport.
  • Public speaker for companies and events, often focusing on risk, preparation, and performance under pressure.
  • Brand partner with outdoor companies (such as The North Face and climbing-gear brands), earning from sponsorships and collaborations.
  • Author and subject of books, receiving royalties and appearance fees (for example, from his memoir “Alone on the Wall”).

How he actually earns money

In practical terms, his income is diversified:

  1. Sponsorships and brand deals
    • Long-term partnerships with major outdoor and climbing brands, plus shorter campaigns with other companies.
  1. Media and streaming projects
    • Payments from films, documentaries, TV appearances, and streaming specials, including a recent Netflix skyscraper-climbing event.
  1. Books and film royalties
    • Royalties from his memoir and from being the central figure in successful climbing films and series.
  1. Speaking engagements
    • Paid talks for businesses and conferences on topics like risk management and mental focus.
  1. Climbing-related projects
    • Occasional special expeditions, documentaries, or branded expeditions where his climbing skills are the core “service.”

Recent and “latest news” angle

  • He remains best known to the general public for “Free Solo,” which dramatically increased his visibility and financial opportunities.
  • More recently, he has taken on high-profile urban climbs, such as a live-streamed skyscraper ascent in Asia for a major streaming platform, tying his climbing directly to big broadcast and sponsorship money.
  • He continues to balance this public career with family life and ongoing climbing projects, often discussed in interviews and coverage around his latest stunts.

Forum and fan discussion vibes

Online forums and climbing communities usually describe him as:

  • A “full-time” climber who turned an originally low-budget van life into a high‑earning but still minimalist lifestyle after his big film success.
  • Someone who still trains and climbs obsessively, using media and sponsorships mainly as a way to fund more climbing and philanthropy via the Honnold Foundation.

TL;DR:
He earns a living primarily as a professional climber with multiple income streams: sponsorships, big film/TV and streaming projects, book and film royalties, and paid speaking gigs, all built around his reputation as one of the world’s most famous rock climbers.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.