When we start hanging out on YouTube, we wonder, how much do YouTubers make?Â
Here’s a rough estimate:
- $3–$5 per 1,000 views; revenue from advertising
- Smaller video creators may earn a few hundred dollars per month
- Average channels (100k+ views and subscribers) earn $1,000–$5,000 per month
- Top creators with millions of subscribers earn six or seven figures per year
With these numbers in mind, the idea of making money just from content creation may be tempting enough to make you quit your day job and start a channel.
Please hold off! The truth is, making money on YouTube is hard. Also, how much a YouTuber earns depends on a number of factors.
If you’re interested in learning more about these factors, we suggest checking out our article.
What Factors Affect a YouTuber’s Income?
Nowadays, people explore different avenues to earn. Some try to make money on TikTok by selling products.
By knowing the factors that directly affect YouTubers’ earnings, we can better answer how much do YouTubers make?
Niche & Advertiser Demand
Channels in certain niches typically have a larger audience that is willing to buy.
For example, someone looking for insurance on a health channel is more likely to make a purchase than someone browsing for entertainment.
This is not something that advertisers can ignore.
Geography of Audience
NOT every subscriber will make you money, as purchasing power varies across regions.
For example, people in countries like Canada or across Europe have more purchasing power than people in developing countries.
Engagement & Watch Time
Keep in mind that some viewers don’t watch ads at all, or only watch parts of them, and YouTube doesn’t pay for these views.
So, your content should be such that the audience sees the entire video. Also, audience interaction, such as liking, commenting, and sharing, affects how much YouTubers make.
Type & Placement of Ads
One thing a professional YouTuber pays attention to is the placement of ads. You need to know where to place ads in your content to get the most views: at the beginning, middle, or end of your video.
By doing this, you will earn more money.
Video Length & Quality
If your videos are at least 8 minutes long, advertisers can easily place mid-roll ads.
According to the experience of some YouTubers, 30-minute videos will earn you up to three times as much money.
On the other hand, the higher the quality and the longer your video, the more the audience will interact with it.
But when we talk about quality, it’s not just about the visuals. Try to produce a video that is rich in content and high in quality.
Now that you know the factors that affect YouTubers’ income, let’s take a look at how much YouTubers make.
How Much Do YouTubers Make by Subscribers?
Having more subscribers means more potential income, but not guaranteed income.
Usually, when your channel has more subscribers, your views and audience engagement will increase. As a result, your chances of signing a deal will increase. In short, you don’t earn money directly from the number of subscribers.
How Much Do YouTubers Make Per 1,000 Views?
Well, according to several reports, once a channel reaches 1,000 subscribers, it generally earns about 50-200 U.S. dollars from advertisement revenue every month.
YouTubers earn anywhere from $2–$12 per 1,000 views (RPM).Â
How Much Do YouTubers Make a Year?
Small channels make around $6,000 to $70,000 in revenue on average. Bigger channels can rake in hundreds of thousands, or even millions.
How Much Do YouTubers Make for 1 Million Views?
1 million views averages around $3,000 to $7,000. YouTube content monetization is a lot more variable than that, and engagement and audience participation, content type, and niche, also play a part.
How Much Do YouTubers Make on YouTube with 1,000 Subscribers?
According to reports, a channel after gaining a thousand subscribers makes about 50 to 200 US dollars in advertisement revenues per month.
On top of that, sponsorships, affiliate marketing links, and sales of merchandise could see that figure go tremendously higher.
How Much do YouTubers Make with 1 Million Subscribers?
And from advertising revenue, sponsorships, merchandise sales and digital product sales, a channel with 1 million subscribers can collect $60,000 to 1 million dollars a year, which is well-deserved for a channel of such reputation.
Estimated YouTube Earnings by Subscriber Count
| Subscribers | Approx. Monthly Income | Approx. Yearly Income |
| 1,000 | $50 – $200 | $600 – $2,400 |
| 10,000 | $500 – $1,000 | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| 100,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 | $12,000 – $36,000 |
| 1,000,000 | $10,000 – $50,000 | $120,000 – $600,000 |
Where Do YouTubers Make Money? (Main Income Sources)
When people ask how much money YouTubers make, ads usually come to mind first. And yes, YouTube ads are the most obvious source but they’re far from the only one.
Successful YouTubers typically combine several income streams to create solid monthly revenue. Let’s break them down:
YouTube Ads (AdSense)
You get money when Google shows ads on your videos. The more views you get or the higher your RPM, the more you could earn. So if you want to make money on YouTube this is one of the most popular methods for you.Â
Channel Memberships
Fans can pay a bit each month to support you. They’ll get things in return, such as badges, exclusive content, or chats just for members.
Super Chats & Stickers
During live streams, fans can pay to make their messages stand out. This can really add up for some creators.
Brand Deals & Sponsorships
As your channel gets known, brands might pay you to mention their stuff, do reviews, or create content that they sponsor. Certain topics can pay better than ads.
Sell Merchandise
Sell T-shirts, mugs, or anything with your logo or a saying from your channel. Many big YouTubers make money this way.
Affiliate Marketing
Suggest products to your viewers, and you’ll get a cut of every sale made through your special link.
Digital Products (Courses, E-books, Templates)
Many creators package their expertise into paid products. These are scalable: create them once, sell them indefinitely.
So, the real answer to how much money YouTubers make depends not only on ad revenue but also on how many of these income streams they use.Â
At this point, it’s clear why giving an exact number for a YouTuber’s income is impossible.
Examples of the Highest-Paid YouTubers
Here are a few examples of some of the most paid YouTubers. Look at their videos and try to find the secret of their success.
MrBeast
Jimmy Donaldson, who is commonly referred to as MrBeast, was the highest-paid YouTuber, according to Forbes, in 2024.
He owns a channel with over 300 million subscribers focused primarily on giant challenges, contests, and charity.
Jacksepticeye
Right behind MrBeast on Forbes is As Jacksepticeye, Seán McLoughlin.
He is the most subscribed gaming, opinion, and comedic personality with over 30 million subscribers. Jacksepticeye’s 2024 salary is estimated at $18 million, says Forbes.
YouTube as a Career in 2025
Income doesn’t rely solely on funny videos, huge subscriber count, or millions of views.
The challenge is finding the right niche and identifying your target audience. After that, audience engagement and income streams naturally follow.
- Small channels: A few hundred dollars per month
- Big channels: Tens of thousands of dollars per month
- Top creators: Six figures or more
Ready to monetize your content? Go ahead and plan your pathway to success!
How Much Money Do YouTubers Make FAQs
- Is it hard to make money on YouTube?
Earning money on YouTube is possible for anyone, but it’s not automatic. Simply having a channel doesn’t guarantee income; success requires consistent effort and quality content.
- How long does it take for a small channel to generate significant revenue?
Earning revenue on a small channel depends on content quality, consistent uploads, and audience size. Growth may take months or even years.
- What type of videos make the most money?
5 Most Profitable Niches on YouTube:
- Making money online – CPM of $13.52
- Digital marketing
- Personal finance
- Education
- Tech, cars, and gadgets