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Are you dreaming of becoming a successful YouTuber and earning a significant income from your videos? If so, you’re probably wondering… How much does YouTube pay?
With more and more people turning to YouTube as a source of entertainment and information, the platform has become a lucrative career path for many content creators.
According to Influencer Marketing Hub, the average YouTube pay in the US in 2022 was about $1,154 per week or $4,616 monthly. However, individual income varies based on monthly channel performance.
This amount includes ad revenue from the YouTube partner program, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
Here is a quick overview of how much YouTubers make:
- Average: The average YouTuber makes about $0.18 per view or $18 per 1,000 views.
- Professionals: Professional YouTubers make about $4,600 per month from their videos.
- YouTubers in the US: YouTube stars in the US earn $60,943 per year or $29/hour for a 40-hour work week.
- YouTube channels: The average annual pay for a YouTube channel in the United States is $65,999 a year.
But how do YouTubers make money exactly?
It’s not just about creating and uploading YouTube videos. Successful creators have a clear strategy to monetize their content. We’ll cover that in this article too.
But first, let’s look at the richest YouTubers and how they make their money.
Highest-Paid YouTubers
One common question people ask is: How much does 1 million subscribers on YouTube pay? But the thing is, the money you can make with your YouTube subscribers varies greatly.
You can see the various subscribers of the top earners on YouTube below. It really depends more on how they monetize and less on how many subscribers they have.
1. MrBeast: $54 million
Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast on his YouTube channel, is the highest-paid YouTuber that creates videos revolving around expensive stunts and philanthropy.
Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, started his venture into YouTube at the young age of 13, posting gaming content on his channel. However, his channel skyrocketed to fame when he began executing and filming audacious and often philanthropic stunts.
- Subscribers: 206 million
- Monetization: Adsense, sponsorships, merchandise
2. Jake Paul: $45 million
Jake Paul is another YouTube sensation whose fame began with his hilarious and adventurous clips on the now-defunct platform Vine.
When Vine was discontinued, he then moved to YouTube, where he created comedic content and daily vlogs.
His charismatic personality, coupled with the dramatic lifestyle he showcased, resonated with the young audience, skyrocketing his popularity.
- Subscribers: 21.5 million
- Monetization: Adsense, sponsorships, merchandise, music streaming platforms
3. Markiplier: $38 million
Mark Fischbach, also known as Markiplier, is famous for his “let’s play” gaming videos and comedic commentary.
His success on YouTube began when he posted a series of Five Nights at Freddy’s Let’s Play videos in 2014, which garnered millions of views. He then expanded his content to include charity live streams, vlogs, and sketches, solidifying his position as one of the highest-paid YouTubers.
- Subscribers: 35.7 million
- Monetization: Adsense, sponsorships, merchandise
2. Ryan Kaji: $32 million
Ryan Kaji started as a child YouTuber, reviewing toys on his channel Ryan’s World. His channel has grown to become a family enterprise, with his parents and siblings now actively involved in creating content for the channel.
He also now has his own successful toy line and TV show.
- Subscribers: 35.8 million
- Monetization: Adsense, sponsorships, merchandise
3. Dude Perfect: $30 million
Dude Perfect is a sports entertainment group known for their trick shots, stereotypes, and comedy videos. The five-man team met in college and began creating content in 2009.
Their first video, “Backyard Edition” of the popular trick shot series, made them an overnight sensation. They have since expanded to include behind-the-scenes videos, challenges, and documentaries.
- Subscribers: 59.8 million
- Monetization: Adsense, sponsorships, merchandise
4. Jeffree Star: $25 million
Jeffree Star is a beauty mogul and YouTuber, known for his outrageous makeup tutorials, reviews, and brand collaborations.
Jeffree started as a musician on MySpace before becoming a successful makeup artist and launching his own cosmetic line.
His bold personality and honesty have earned him millions of followers on YouTube and social media.
- Subscribers: 15.8 million
- Monetization: Adsense, sponsorships, merchandise, cosmetic line
5. Rhett and Link: $25 million
The comedic duo, known as Rhett and Link on YouTube, have a variety of content including comedy sketches, music videos, and their popular show “Good Mythical Morning.”
They began their careers as engineers before quitting to pursue comedy full-time. Their witty humor and relatable content have earned them a loyal fan base on YouTube.
- Subscribers: 18.4 million
- Monetization: Adsense, sponsorships, merchandise, TV appearances
6. DanTDM: $22 million
DanTDM is a British gamer and YouTuber known for his Minecraft videos. He started his YouTube career in 2012, creating gaming content aimed at children.
He has since expanded to include live-action skits, collaborations with other YouTubers, and daily vlogs.
- Subscribers: 24.2 million
- Monetization: Adsense, sponsorships, merchandise
7. PewDiePie: $20 million
Felix Kjellberg, more commonly known as PewDiePie on YouTube, is one of the platform’s earliest and most famous creators.
He rose to fame with his gaming content, specifically “Let’s Play” videos. He now creates a variety of content, including vlogs, commentary videos, and meme reviews.
- Subscribers: 111 million
- Monetization: Adsense, sponsorships, merchandise
8. Like Nastya: $18 million
Like Nastya is a Russian-American YouTuber who creates children’s content, including vlogs, toy unboxings, and educational videos.
She often features her family members in her videos and has gained a massive following among young viewers.
- Subscribers: 72 million
- Monetization: Adsense, sponsorships, merchandise
Each of these YouTubers started with a passion and turned it into a profit-making powerhouse. Now it’s your turn. Take their success as your inspiration and start creating today!
Now, you might be thinking, “How do they make all that money?”
How Do YouTubers Make Money?
While the ways to make money on YouTube vary, there are a few common methods that many successful creators use.
Ad Revenue
The most common way for YouTubers to make money is through ads with Google Adsense. YouTube allows creators to monetize their videos by displaying ads before, during, or after their content.
These ads are paid for by advertisers, and the revenue generated is split between YouTube and the creator.
- Creators earn about 55% of the revenue on their channels.
- YouTube takes a 45% cut of what the advertiser pays for the placement.
The more views a video gets, the more ad revenue a creator can earn, but how much money per view on YouTube you get also greatly depends on the location of the ad, video length, and the niche you are in.
In order to qualify for ads on your YouTube channel, you must have:
- At least 1,000 subscribers
- At least 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months
Once you hit this milestone, you can sign up for a Google Adsense account and join the YouTube Partner Program, assuming you meet all other eligibility requirements.
Brand Sponsorships
Another way creators make money on YouTube is through brand sponsorships. Companies will pay YouTubers to promote their products or services in their videos.
These deals can range from simple mentions to dedicated sponsored content. The amount of money a creator earns from brand sponsorships depends on factors such as the size of their audience, engagement rates, and the type of sponsorship.
Merchandise Sales
Many YouTubers also have their own merchandise lines, with products ranging from clothing to accessories to home goods. Like Jeffree Star’s line of cosmetics:
By promoting and selling their merchandise, creators can earn a profit on each sale.
Other Sources of Income
Some other ways to make money with a YouTube channel include:
- Affiliate Marketing: By including affiliate links in their video descriptions, YouTubers can earn a commission for any purchases made through those links. Learn more about selling with affiliate marketing.
- Live Events: Popular YouTubers may also earn money by hosting live events, such as meet-and-greets or concerts. They earn money through ticket sales.
- Book Deals: Creators who have gained a large following may be able to secure book deals, earning royalties from book sales.
- TV and Film Appearances: Some YouTubers also branch out into traditional media and make appearances on TV shows and movies, earning money through those roles.
- Product/Service Endorsements: Similar to sponsorships, YouTubers can also earn money by endorsing products or services in their videos.
- Memberships: YouTube also offers a membership feature that allows fans to pay for monthly subscriptions to their favorite creators’ channels, giving them access to exclusive content and perks.
- Patreon: Some creators may use Patreon, a platform that allows fans to financially support their favorite creators in exchange for exclusive content and perks.
It’s important to note that, while these are the most common ways YouTube creators earn money, each creator’s income may vary depending on their niche, audience, and partnerships.
It also depends on their personality. They have built their careers by being energetic, persuasive, and relatable, using their unique voices to engage and build credibility with their audiences.
But Is It Sustainable?
While the top YouTubers may make millions of dollars per year, it’s important to remember that not all creators have the same level of success.
Many smaller channels may struggle to earn enough money to sustain themselves solely through YouTube.
However, with hard work, dedication, and a strong personal brand, it is possible for creators to build sustainable careers on the platform.
The key is to find a niche that you are passionate about, create quality content, and engage with your audience. With time, consistency, and perseverance, you can turn your YouTube channel into a successful business.
FAQ About YouTube Earnings
How much does a YouTuber with 1 million subscribers make?
The earning potential of a YouTuber with 1 million subscribers can vary greatly depending on several factors. These include the type of content, the demographic of the audience, and the engagement rate. On average, YouTubers could earn anything from $3,000 to $15,000 per video if it hits around 1 million views. However, remember this is just the ad revenue, and YouTubers can also earn from sponsorships, merchandise, and crowdfunding.
How much does a 100k YouTuber make?
A YouTuber with 100,000 subscribers can make an average income of $12,000 to $16,000 per year through ad revenue alone. But hold on, there’s more! This doesn’t account for potential sponsorships, merchandise sales, or crowdfunding. With these added, a 100k YouTuber could earn substantially more. However, remember that these figures can vary widely based on the channel’s engagement rates, niche, and viewer demographics.
What is the average YouTuber salary?
The average YouTuber salary really depends on the size of the channel and viewer engagement. Small channels might make a few dollars per month, but top creators can earn staggering amounts, with figures reaching into the millions annually. However, most YouTubers fall somewhere in the middle, with typical earnings between $0.25 and $4.00 for 1,000 video views with Adsense.
You can also use Influencer Marketing Hub’s YouTube Money Calculator to estimate how much YouTube pays per views and subscribers
How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?
For every 1,000 views, YouTube pays approximately between $0.25 and $4.00! But remember, this number can vary greatly depending on factors like the type of content you post, your audience’s location, and how advertiser-friendly your videos are.
How Can You Build a Successful YouTube Channel?
The question of how much do YouTubers make can be a difficult one to answer because it does vary based on a lot of different factors, but you can clearly see that there are tons of YouTube stars making great money through ad revenue and a variety of other sources.
So, now that you know how to make money on YouTube, you’re probably wondering… Where do I sign up!?
Building a successful YouTube channel takes time, hard work, and dedication, but here are a few tips on how to get started off on the right foot!
- Find your niche: Choose a topic that you’re passionate about and that will resonate with your audience.
- Be consistent: Post videos regularly to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
- Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and interact with your viewers to build a community.
- Collaborate with other creators: Partnering with other YouTubers can help you reach new audiences and gain exposure.
- Utilize social media: Use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to promote your channel and connect with potential viewers.
- Be authentic: Share personal stories, experiences, and opinions to create a connection with your audience.
- Continuously improve: Learn from feedback and analytics to constantly improve the quality of your content.
Remember, YouTube creators don’t become successes overnight, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate success.
You also don’t need a million subscribers to earn great money with Adsense revenue, sponsorships, channel memberships, and more.
We’ve been able to make great money with our YouTube Channel with just 125,000 subscribers through a combination of ad revenue and selling digital products like online courses.
Stay persistent and passionate about your content, and eventually, you’ll find success on the platform!