Finnish Counter-Strike player Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo earned almost €670,000 in 2025, according to Ilta-Sanomat. The figures come from his tax return. Salo paid about €340,000 of that sum in taxes, yet he still puts most of the rest into investments.
This story is interesting because it shows how quickly a young pro’s income can grow. Salo is only 20 years old, and his investments are already worth more than €1 million. Meanwhile, he has a clear plan for life after his playing career.
A Teenage Salary That Grew With Results
Salo is one of the most successful Finnish esports players. He has played at the top level of CS since the summer of 2023, and he now represents Aurora Gaming. His pay was already around €10,000 per month when he was still a minor. As his results improved, his income rose sharply. Earlier this autumn, he told Ilta-Sanomat that he had earned more than €1 million during his career.
What the 2025 Tax Data Shows
The tax data lists Salo’s earned income for 2025 at €669,528. His capital income was zero, so his total income was the same amount. He paid €341,931 in taxes. For comparison, his income in 2024 was €174,819, and all of it was earned income.
The tax bill looks large because Finland uses a progressive system. The higher a person’s income is, the more tax they pay. In addition to state income tax, municipal taxes, pension contributions and social payments are deducted. As a result, Jimpphat’s total deductions for 2025 reached 51.1% of his earnings.
Funds, No Crypto and a Few Treats
Salo puts most of his income into investment funds. Their value is now above €1 million. Cryptocurrencies do not interest him because he does not understand them.
His approach is patient. “I try to invest in assets that aim to grow over the years. There is nothing about needing to get rich the next day”. He also explained the goal behind it. When he stops playing, he wants to have a source of money. In his words, the dream situation in about ten years would be to have so much money that he no longer needs to think about what job to do.
However, Salo does not save every euro. He sometimes treats himself to clothes and jewelry. He also uses his income to help the people close to him. “I have always wanted to help everyone I love. This financial situation has made that easier. I can buy things my parents and friends need, and surprise them with gifts,” he said.
Talking about his success at such a young age, Salo stayed modest. “Of course it is nice to be proud at this age, but I don’t think about it that much,” he said.
Why Salo’s Numbers Matter
According to Ilta-Sanomat, Jimpphat’s 2025 tax return shows income of €669,528 and taxes of €341,931. His 2024 income was €174,819, so the jump between the two years is large. For example, a 20-year-old who earned about €10,000 per month as a minor now holds investments worth more than €1 million.
Finally, his plan is as clear as his results. Salo keeps away from crypto, invests in funds and builds a financial cushion for the years after his career. Therefore, his story is about more than prize money and salaries. It shows how one of Finland’s best CS players prepares for life after the game while he is still at the top.
