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How Much Interest Can I Earn on $100, $1K or $10K?
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A savings account is an important way to prepare for big expenses and future goals — even if you start small.
The sooner you start saving, the sooner you can earn interest, money paid over time to your account by the financial institution just for depositing your funds.
Here’s a look at the potential annual earnings of three different savings balances and what you could do with the interest you accrue.
How much interest can you earn on $100?
The national average interest rate for savings is 0.39%, but many national banks pay only 0.01% annual percentage yield (the amount of interest an account earns in a year). If you deposit $100 in one of those savings accounts, you’ll end up with one penny in interest after a year.
The best high-yield savings accounts pay around 4% APY right now. After a year, you’d earn more than $4 in interest on your $100.
What your interest can buy: One cent is not enough money to buy much of anything. But putting your money in a high-yield savings account could leave you enough for a coffee.
A balance of $100 doesn’t earn you much interest either way, but the benefit of using the account with a higher APY is clear: It pays much more than a regular savings account.
4.00%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 10/09/2025. APY may change at any time before or after the account is opened. Available only online.
5.00%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of June 17th, 2025. Start earning 2.50% APY, then qualify to earn 5.00% APY on your balance up to $5,000.00 and 2.50% APY on balances over $5,000 next month by 1) Receiving direct deposit(s) totaling $1,000 or more; and 2) Ending the month with a positive balance in all your Varo Accounts. No fees, no minimums required. Rates subject to change at any time.
3.50%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) may change at any time and fees may reduce earnings. Please visit etrade.com/ratesheet for more information.
Min. balance for APY
$0
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
Up to 3.90%The Base Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 3.25%, from program banks, is as of 12/19/25, is variable and is subject to change. If you are eligible for the overall boosted rate of 3.90% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the three-month promotional period. This limited-time promo offers eligible new Wealthfront clients a 0.65% APY increase over the standard base APY for 3 months on up to $150k in their Cash Accounts. Cash Account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, and is not a bank. Base APY (is representative, subject to change, requires no minimum) is paid from our Program Banks.
3.90%Cash Reserve offered by Betterment LLC and requires a Betterment Securities brokerage account. Betterment is not a bank. Learn More (https://www.betterment.com/cash-portfolio). Annual percentage yield (variable) is 3.25% as of 12/12/25, plus a 0.65% boost (“APY Boost”) for new clients with a qualifying deposit. $10 min deposit for base APY. Terms apply (betterment.com/boost); if the base APY changes, the Boosted APY will change. FDIC insurance provided by Program Banks (https://www.betterment.com/cash-portfolio), subject to certain conditions.
Min. balance for APY
$0
CDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
CDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
4.05%All Bread Savings APYs are accurate as of 12/18/2025. APYs are subject to change at any time without notice. Offers apply to personal accounts only. Fees may reduce earnings. To open a CD, a minimum of $1,500 is required and must be deposited in a single transaction. A penalty will be imposed for early withdrawals on CDs. At maturity, your CD will automatically renew and earn the base interest rate in effect at that time. Rates are compared against competitor rates published by NerdWallet.com and the institutions themselves as of 12/18/2025. NerdWallet.com obtains the data from the various banks that it tracks and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
4.10%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is subject to change at any time without notice. Offer applies to personal non-IRA accounts only. Fees may reduce earnings. For CD accounts, a penalty may be imposed for early withdrawals. After maturity, if your CD rolls over, you will earn the offered rate of interest in effect at that time. Visit synchrony.com/banking for current rates, terms and account requirements. Member FDIC.
Term
9 months
Checking accounts are used for day-to-day cash deposits and withdrawals.
Checking accounts are used for day-to-day cash deposits and withdrawals.
2.00%Annual Percentage Yield (APY). APY may change at any time and fees may reduce earnings. Please visit etrade.com/ratesheet for more information. The $15 monthly account fee can be waived when you maintain an average monthly balance of at least $5,000 in the account on or after the end of the second calendar month from opening the account.
Monthly fee
$15
Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features.
Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features.
If you’re able to put away a bigger chunk of money, you’ll earn more interest. Save $1,000 for a year at 0.01% APY, and you’ll end up with $1,000.10. If you put the same $1,000 in a high-yield savings account that pays 4% APY, you could earn about $40 after a year.
What your interest can buy: Ten cents is enough to buy a stick of gum — but $40 will buy a date night meal for two or some shares of stock in certain Fortune 500 companies.
How much interest can you earn on $10,000?
In a savings account earning 0.01%, your balance after a year would be $10,001. Put that $10,000 in a high-yield savings account that earns 4% APY for the same amount of time, and you’ll earn about $400.
What your interest can buy: A dollar is enough to buy a soda — but $400 would get you a new TV or kitchen gadget.
When should you start saving?
Saving whatever you can as soon as you can is best. Instead of waiting for a raise at work or an inheritance, it’s more important (and realistic) to begin building a savings habit as soon as possible.
You can start with whatever you can afford; many savings accounts don’t have a minimum opening deposit requirement.
The sooner you earn interest, the sooner you’ll be able to build on it, thanks to compounding. Compound interest works this way: When interest is calculated and added to your account, the larger balance then earns more interest.
Here’s an example: Say you save $1,000 for a year in an account that pays 4% APY, compounded annually. After 12 months, you’ll have $1,040. Then you’ll start earning interest on $1,040, so after the second year you’ll have about $1,080.
Just as important as saving sooner rather than later is choosing the right savings account. Interest rates at online banks are strong across the board right now.
Having your money in a high-yield savings account can help keep your money accessible while also earning you a higher interest rate than you’d get with a regular savings account. Find out where to put your money now by checking out our favorite high-yield online savings accounts.
