YouTube has turned independent creators into huge stars. The platform, which launched in 2005, still provides a unique space for anyone to share their creativity, opinions, talents, and expertise. The question is, though, if you build a substantial viewer base, can you actually make a good revenue?
We’re here to answer exactly that question – and show you how you can jump in and start earning yourself, too. So, let’s find out how much YouTube pays!
What Does It Mean To Be Successful on YouTube?
Although subs matter, success on YouTube can be measured in various ways (often depending on your goals and aspirations).
The average ‘popular YouTuber’ is someone who has been able to:
- Create content that captivates and resonates with an audience, typically through high-quality videos that also contribute to a positive viewer experience.
- Establish a regular upload schedule, allowing viewers to anticipate new content (and build a loyal audience over time).
- Interact with viewers through comments, social media (TikTok, Instagram, etc), and community posts to foster a sense of community.
- Connect with an audience by being genuine, sharing personal experiences, and showcasing their true personalities.
- Stay informed of the latest YouTube trends and algorithms, adapt to changes, and experiment with innovative content to stay relevant.
Classifying Content Creators Intro Groups
As we said, success on YouTube is not solely determined by the size of the subscriber count — but it helps! Many factors contribute to a creator’s success, including engagement, content quality, niche relevance, and the creator’s individual goals.
YouTube creators can be classified into different categories based on their subscriber counts and influence levels. While the specific subscriber counts for each category can vary, here are some common tiers applied to YouTubers:
Nano-Influencers
Subscribers: Up to 10,000
Nano-influencers have a relatively small but engaged audience. They often focus on niche topics and may have a strong influence within their specific community.
Micro-Influencers
Subscribers: 10,000 to 50,000
Micro-influencers have a moderately sized audience and are known for their authenticity. They may have a niche focus and a highly engaged community, making them attractive for targeted brand collaborations.
Influencers
Subscribers: 50,000 to 500,000
Influencers have a significant following, which means they can reach a larger audience. They often collaborate with brands and may have established themselves as authorities within their niche.
Macro-Influencers
Subscribers: 500,000 to 1 million+
Macro-influencers have a significant subscriber base, making them influential figures in the YouTube space. They often receive ad revenue, as well as brand partnerships and sponsorship deals. Usually, macro-influencers tend to diversify their content across multiple topics.
Big Names / Celebrities
Subscribers: 1 million to 10 million+
Big names or celebrity YouTubers have reached a level of fame beyond the platform. They often have a massive subscriber count — and can thus attract a broad audience. In many cases, big names can be recognized outside the YouTube community, too!
YouTube Stars
Subscribers: 10 million to 50 million+
YouTube stars have achieved immense popularity, becoming household names. They have a massive following, receive widespread media attention, and may have a significant influence on trends and culture.
YouTube Legends
Subscribers: 50 million+
YouTube legends are iconic figures with an extraordinary subscriber count. They are trailblazers in the YouTube community. In other words, they have achieved legendary status with a massive and dedicated fan base.
The Biggest Influencers and Their Earnings (2024)
When you think about YouTubers, there might be a few names that come to mind. For example, Mr. Beast, Jake Paul, or Markiplier. Calculating these highest-paid YouTubers’ income is relatively easy – even if the reason is that you can round up by the hundreds of thousands of dollars!
So, let’s take a quick insider look at the most profitable YouTube channels and where they get their money from. Here they are, ordered by the number of subscribers at the time of writing this article.
Breaking Down YouTube Revenue
Did you notice that the number of subs in the table above didn’t always translate to an equal amount for the earnings? That’s because each of these influencers has various income streams, such as brand sponsorships, merchandise, and business partnerships. Some even have TV shows and various channels that play into what they earn, too.
Did you notice that the number of subs in the table above didn’t always translate to an equal amount for the earnings? That’s because each of these influencers has various income streams, such as brand sponsorships, merchandise, podcasts, and business partnerships. Some even have TV shows and various channels that play into what they earn, too. So, there’s definitely more to this story than subs or video views.
YouTube earnings can generally be divided into a few categories, so let’s take a closer look at each one, shall we?
How Much Can You Make With AdSense?
According to Influencer Marketing Hub, the average YouTuber today makes $0.018 per view, which equates to about $18 for every 1,000 ad views (through the YouTube Partner Program, which works with your AdSense account). However, the actual earnings you will get from AdSense on YouTube will depend on various factors, such as the amount of traffic, the type of content you make, and your viewers’ location.
In 2022, the compensation (or the amount of money you can receive as advertising revenue) for an average American YouTube content creator was about $1,154 per week or $4,616 per month. This would be for 20,000 views per day and an average engagement rate of 50%.
If you want to get a better estimate, Google Adsense Help actually has a handy revenue calculator. This tool can help you get a number based on your region and content category. This will also help you get an approximate CPM, or cost per 1,000 impressions (how much advertisers pay to reach viewers through your videos).
How Much Can You Make With Brand Sponsorships?
The amount YouTubers can make from brand sponsorships also varies widely. On average, sponsors pay YouTubers anywhere between $10 to $50 per 1,000 views, and this can increase to $10,000 to $50,000 if the video crosses 1 million views.
It can be a little hard to calculate how much you could get paid, but to give you an idea, the average minimum price of a sponsored YouTube video with more than one million views in 2022 was $2,500. Keep in mind, though, that the actual payment depends on factors such as the number of views, the content, the audience, and the sponsor’s budget. For example:
- Audience size and demographics: Sponsors will consider the number of subscribers you have and the characteristics of your audience as they impact the potential reach and engagement of the sponsored content.
- Niche: The topic or category of the YouTube channel can affect sponsorship rates, too, as some niches may be more attractive to certain sponsors or have a more engaged audience.
- Sponsored video objective: The specific goals of the sponsored video, such as brand awareness, lead generation, or sales, can influence the amount a YouTuber is paid.
- Engagement and viewership: The level of engagement and the number of views your channel receives can also impact the sponsorship rates, with higher engagement and viewership generally commanding higher rates.
- Production quality: The overall quality of the content, including production value and storytelling, can be a factor in determining sponsorship rates as well.
- Negotiation and flexibility: Sponsorship rates are often negotiated on an individual basis and can be flexible, depending on the specific circumstances and the value you bring to the sponsor.
How Much Can You Make With Channel Memberships?
YouTubers can also make money from channel memberships (and/or Patreon memberships, which are similar but are managed outside the platform). The minimum starting price for a channel membership is $4.99 USD per month, and the maximum is $49.99. YouTube takes a 30% cut of the revenue generated from these channel memberships. So, if a viewer pays $5 for a membership, YouTube keeps $1.50, and the creator gets $3.50.
YouTube has recently added analytics cards and insights to the membership section of the revenue (which you can access from Analytics > Revenue > “How you make money.”) This means you can view total subscription revenue, track recurring membership rates, and understand where the most conversions originate – all from the same place.
Some benefits of offering channel memberships on YouTube include:
- Loyalty badges: Members get a loyalty badge shown next to their name in comments and live chat.
- Custom emojis: Members can use custom emojis.
- Members-only content: Members can access members-only videos, live chats, and community posts.
- Exclusive perks: Members can receive exclusive benefits such as behind-the-scenes content, early access to new videos, or special shout-outs during live streams.
- Supporting creators: Members can support creators with a small recurring monthly payment.
How Much Can You Make With Merchandise?
According to Sell Merch, a YouTuber with 11,000 subscribers may sell around six pieces of merchandise every month, accumulating around $70 per month or $840 per year. Another source cites that a creator with 50,000 views per month could earn between $730 and $3,480 from merchandise sales, which is a wide range compared to the potential earnings from AdSense for the same number of views.
These numbers, though, are also largely dependent on factors (like audience size, audience demographics, the quality of the products offered, and the level of engagement with the audience). For example, top YouTubers like PewDiePie, Dude Perfect, and JuegaGerman have reported significant monthly product sales revenue from their merchandise.
The most popular types of merchandise are T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, socks, and cell phone cases. YouTubers often offer a variety of products, in some cases up to 38 different products inspired by their fans, niche, and logo.
How Much Can You Make With Affiliate Marketing?
The earnings from affiliate marketing on YouTube depend on the products and services you want to promote (and the brands you partner with). However, most affiliate programs offer commissions ranging from 5% to 50% of the purchase or subscription price, with higher commissions available in certain cases.
It seems possible to earn a full-time income solely through affiliate marketing on YouTube, with potential monthly earnings ranging from $5,210.67 to $20,000 or more and annual earnings potentially reaching approximately $62,528.04 to over $240,000.
In short, the potential earnings from affiliate marketing can be substantial, but you will also need a lot of subscribers who want to click on your products or services!
How Much Can You Make Starting Your Own Business?
The potential earnings from starting your own business as a YouTuber can come from various sources, including starting your own business.
For example:
- Cassey Ho (9.45M subs) is a YouTube influencer who started her own business empire with her brand, Blogilates, which includes fitness apparel, accessories, and an app.
- Rosanna Pansino (14.5M subs) also turned her passion for baking into a successful business with her brand, Nerdy Nummies, which includes cookbooks, baking products, and a baking line.
- James Hobson (14.4M subs), also known as “The Hacksmith” on YouTube, has built a business empire around his channel, creating a successful engineering and prototyping company.
As you can see, you can use YouTube to launch your own brand. These YouTubers have successfully done it!
Conclusion
As of 2024, the landscape of income for YouTubers remains as dynamic as ever. What’s even better, the diversity of revenue streams available to content creators has expanded. So, there are financial opportunities everywhere!
YouTubers with smaller audiences, often referred to as nano and micro-influencers, continue to find success through niche-focused content and dedicated engagement with their communities. Meanwhile, macro-influencers and YouTube stars with substantial subscriber bases have the potential for lucrative brand partnerships, sponsorships, and diverse monetization avenues.
As you prepare to launch your own successful YouTube career, it’s important to remember that subscriber count alone is not enough to determine how well you do.
Factors like engagement, content quality, influence within your niche, and overall impact on the audience will also contribute to your standing. And you know what else really matters? The software you use!
If you want to ensure you have the best recording and live streaming tools at your disposal, look no further than StreamYard. Our professional platform works directly in your browser and allows you to record, edit, and publish your content directly to YouTube and other platforms.