My 2-cents on that is if you don't have a salaried position don't depend on any outlet to make a living. I don't do the pay thing on Medium because it would just affect what stories I write (I'd gravitate towards paying ones) so better to let my cut go to others and focus on what interests me.

IF I was going to do it, make a living writing, I'd compile all my best essays into a print-on-demand book, at Amazon or something like it, and sell it for $30 or something. Or sell a "digital" version for $20 direct, if someone just want to pay me.

Whatever you get from Medium, I'd just consider that cafe money.