Income disclosure reading guide
doTERRA income disclosure: what to read before joining
If you read only this:
- Start with the company disclosure, but do not stop there.
- Check who is counted, who is excluded, and whether expenses are subtracted.
- Ask what comparable new participants kept after ordinary costs.
What to do next:
- Check who is included and excluded.
- Ask whether the numbers subtract expenses.
- Compare the disclosure with the compensation plan and refund rules.
What the company discloses
| Data year | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Received no commissions | Approximately 58% of U.S. active Wellness Advocates |
| Most participants | Join only for a product discount |
| Reported as | Commissions, before expenses |
- doTERRA reports that approximately 58% of U.S. active Wellness Advocates did not earn commissions in 2025.
- It reports commission figures for active Wellness Advocates who did earn commissions.
- It says expenses may be incurred and may reduce or exceed commissions earned.
What is not clear from the disclosure alone
- Net income after expenses, since the figures are commissions and do not subtract product or business costs.
- How much, if anything, advocates net from retail resale.
- An annual figure that includes the roughly half who earned no commissions.
Common costs to check:
- Product, samples, shipping, and taxes.
- Starter kits, renewal fees, websites, apps, or back-office tools.
- Training, events, tickets, travel, meals, lodging, and childcare.
- Advertising, giveaways, displays, packaging, or payment fees.
- Licensing, exam prep, background checks, or required continuing education.
- Unsold inventory and unpaid time.
Gross income is not the same as money kept after these costs.
Why this matters
About half of advocates earning no commissions is a more useful signal than top-tier examples.
Commissions before expenses can be very different from money kept.
Not a verdict: This page is not a judgment about doTERRA or the person who contacted you. It is a guide to
written facts, costs, income disclosures, public records, and questions to ask before making a money decision.
Questions to ask before joining
- Does this summary show net income after expenses or commissions before expenses?
- What share of comparable new advocates earned no commissions?
- How much product must I buy to qualify for compensation?
Source notes
- Read the disclosure together with the compensation plan and product costs.
- Confirm the date of the figures you are shown.
Related pages
- doTERRA company page
- Someone pitched me doTERRA. What should I ask?
- Income disclosure library
- What MLMs pay, according to company disclosures
- Median vs. average in MLM income disclosures
- Who is counted in MLM income disclosures?
- Expenses not included in MLM income disclosures
- Gross Income Is Not Profit
- What should an MLM income disclosure show?
- Before You Pay
Sources
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Company disclosure
2026 Opportunity and Earnings Disclosure Summary (2025 data)
-
Regulator guidance
Business Guidance Concerning Multi-Level Marketing
Correction request
To request a correction, email corrections@boringanddevastating.com with this page URL, the specific text at issue, and supporting public sources.