[Objective] The economic benefits of optimum fertilization of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc of licorice in sierozem of the desert region area of Gansu Corridor were studied in order to provide technical support for the sustainable development of licorice industry.[Methods] A field experiment was carried out to study the economic benefits of optimum fertilization of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc in sierozem of Sanbao Town, Minle County, Zhangye City, Gansu Province.[Results] With the increase of the fertilization of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc, the fresh root yield of licorice was increased, but the increased amount of licorice under per 1 kg fertilization was decreased. The marginal yield and value of licorice were decreased, and the marginal profit showed a negative value eventually. In the desert region area of Gansu Corridor, the optimum application rate of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc was 0.46, 0.26, 0.16 and 0.02 t/hm², and the theoretical yield of fresh root at the optimum application rates were 12.81, 13.35, 13.06, 12.76 t/hm².[Conclusion] Sierozem has the low content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc, the application of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc to licorice can increase the yield obviously, however, the fertilizer amount with the highest yield is not the optimum fertilization of economic benefits. The best fertilization amount is necessarily lower than that.