How Much Do YouTubers Make in 2024: A Realistic Look at Earnings (2024)

"How much do YouTubers make?" is a common question, but the answer isn't straightforward. YouTuber earnings vary widely based on factors like view count, content type, and monetization strategies.

In reality, while top YouTubers can make millions annually, most creators earn more modest amounts. The platform's competitive nature means that building a substantial income takes time, effort, and often a bit of luck.

Average Earnings for Different Subscriber Levels

Let's dive into how much YouTubers make at different subscriber levels.

Small channels with 1,000 to 10,000 subscribers typically earn around $500 to $1,500 per month. Mid-size channels, boasting 10,000 to 100,000 subscribers, can make anywhere from $5000 to $15,000 monthly.

As a YouTuber's subscriber count grows, so do their earnings. Large channels with 100,000 to 1 million subscribers can rake in $3,000 to $20,000 per month. The real money, however, lies with mega channels that have surpassed the coveted 1 million subscriber mark. These top YouTubers often make upwards of $50,000 to $200,000 or more each month.

To put this into perspective, let's compare how much top YouTubers make with 1 million subscribers. On average, a YouTuber with 1 million subscribers can earn around $60,000 per year from ads alone, and then add partnerships and other sources of income. However, top performers with 1 million subscribers can easily make over $300,000 annually through various income streams like sponsorships and merchandise sales.

While these figures are impressive, it's important to remember that the average YouTuber makes significantly less.

Main Revenue Streams for YouTubers

There are two main ways to make money from YouTube: directly from the platform through ads (being part of the YouTube Partner Program) or outside the platform, through sponsorships and campaigns with companies that recognize your online presence and are willing to pay you to collaborate with them. Let’s explore them in more depth.

Ad revenue through YouTube Partner Program

The primary source of income is ad revenue through the YouTube Partner Program, which is generated through AdSense on YouTube. When ads are displayed on your videos, you earn a portion of the revenue based on factors like ad views and cost per view (CPV).

To understand how much YouTube pays per view, it's essential to know the difference between CPM (cost per thousand views) and RPM (revenue per thousand views). CPM is the amount advertisers pay for 1,000 ad views, while RPM is the amount you earn per 1,000 video views. The YouTube Partner Program typically pays between $0.01 to $0.03 per ad view, depending on your niche and audience demographics.

Being a YouTuber in the YouTube Partner Program is the first step to monetization.

Sponsorships and brand deals

Beyond ad revenue, there are other ways you can make money as a YouTuber. Sponsorships and brand deals allow you to collaborate with companies and promote their products or services in your videos. To succeed at them, you need to establish how much your content costs in different formats and across all your social media, to be able to negotiate good deals to promote products or services.

It is also important to promote companies that you align with and products or services you know are good and will help your audience out. If you do it just for the money and leave out these ethical considerations, it is very likely that you will lose credibility and, ultimately, followers.

Merchandise sales

Merchandise sales, such as custom t-shirts or accessories, can also provide a significant income stream. Design products that will appeal to your audience, have fun with the creative process and then sell them to your viewers. It is a great idea because you most likely will have a good amount of people willing to pay for your merch from the get go.

Channel memberships and Super Chat

Additionally, channel memberships and Super Chat enable your audience to support you directly through monthly subscriptions or one-time payments during live streams. So, consider broadening your content to include live streams and special, exclusive pieces to take advantage of all the monetization opportunities that YouTube offers.

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is another option, where you earn commissions by promoting products and including affiliate links in your video descriptions.

Factors Affecting YouTube Earnings

When it comes to making money on YouTube, several key factors play a role in determining your earnings.

1. Subscriber count. Your subscriber count and the number of views your videos generate greatly improve some of the most crucial metrics. The more subscribers you have and the higher your video views, the greater your potential for monetization.

2. Niche. YouTube content's niche and type also affect how much money you can make. Certain niches, like tech reviews or personal finance, tend to have higher ad rates.

3. Audience. Your audience's demographics and location also impact your earnings, with viewers from countries like the US, or Australia typically generating more revenue.

4. Monetization methods. Monetization methods, such as ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing, can significantly boost your income. If you design and apply monetization strategies, the earning potential can grow substantially. To do so, it is important to know and understand YouTube’s monetization policies.

5. Trending topics and analytics. The YouTube algorithm and trending topics influence your video's visibility and, consequently, your earnings. Staying on top of YouTube analytics is crucial for understanding what resonates with your audience.

6. YouTube shorts. Recently, YouTube Shorts has emerged as a new way to engage viewers and potentially increase your subscriber base, indirectly contributing to your overall success on YouTube. Being a new feature, Youtube is giving a lot of attention to their performance, so take them into account in your monetization strategies.

Case Study: Earnings Breakdown of a Mid-Size YouTuber

Let's take a closer look at the earnings of a real mid-size YouTuber with around 100,000 subscribers. Daniel Braun, a personal finance YouTuber, recently shared his income breakdown on his channel.

In 2022, Daniel's YouTube channel earned a gross revenue of approximately $142,000. He estimated that his earnings would be significantly higher by the end of 2023. Daniel's journey from 0 to 100,000 subscribers took about 2.5 years, during which he quit his job to pursue YouTube full-time when he had just over 3,000 subscribers and was making around $1,000 per month.

Daniel's YouTube earnings come primarily from AdSense revenue (60%) and affiliate/sponsorship income (40%). His highest-earning video at the time he posted, with over 300,000 views, generated more than $11,600 in AdSense revenue alone, showcasing the potential for high earnings per video view in the finance niche. On average, Daniel's channel has an RPM (Revenue per 1,000 views) of around $20.

In the summer months of 2023, Daniel's channel reached new milestones, earning between $16,000 and $23,000 per month.

As a YouTuber with 100,000 subscribers, Daniel's experience demonstrates that creators can make a substantial income from the platform. However, it's important to note that earnings can vary greatly depending on factors such as niche, audience engagement, and consistency in producing quality content.

Top Earners and Success Stories

Let's take a look at some of the highest-paid YouTubers and their incredible success stories. Top YouTubers like PewDiePie have built massive followings and diversified their income streams, leading to jaw-dropping earnings. Here are some of the most successful cases with an estimation of how much money they make.

• PewDiePie (Felix Kjellberg)

Subscribers: 111 million - Estimated yearly earnings: around $40 million

PewDiePie has built a massive following with his gaming content, comedic skits, and commentary. His success on the platform has led to various other ventures, including merchandise sales and sponsorships, contributing to his impressive yearly earnings.

• MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson)

Subscribers: 309 million - Estimated yearly earnings: around $100 million

Known for his philanthropic stunts and crazy challenges, MrBeast has quickly risen to become one of the most popular and highest-earning YouTubers. His engaging content and charitable acts have helped him grow a huge subscriber base and attract giant brand deals and sponsorships.

• Stokes Twins (Alan and Alex Stokes)

Subscribers: 82.5 million - Estimated yearly earnings: around $10 million

The Stokes Twins have gained popularity through their prank videos, challenges, and vlogs. While their subscriber count is lower than some of the other top earners, their engaging content still allows them to generate a substantial income from many sources.

• Markiplier (Mark Fischbach)

Subscribers: 36.8 million - Estimated yearly earnings: around $30 million

Markiplier has become one of the most beloved gaming YouTubers, known for his humorous gameplay commentary and charitable endeavors. His loyal fanbase and consistent content output have helped him maintain a strong presence on the platform, leading to significant yearly earnings through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.

Now, it's not just about the number of views – successful YouTubers have found ways to maximize their earnings beyond YouTube's ad revenue share. While YouTubers receive a portion of the ad money generated from their videos, YouTube takes a significant cut.

To combat this, savvy creators have built lucrative merchandise lines and secured brand deals to generate even more money. These YouTube stars have mastered the art of engaging content, consistently delivering viral hits that keep viewers coming back for more.

How Much Do YouTubers Make: Conclusion

How much money YouTubers make depends on a variety of factors, including subscriber count, video views, niche, and monetization strategies. While top YouTubers earn millions, the reality is that most creators make more modest incomes.

If you're wondering how much money you can make as a YouTuber, it's essential to have realistic expectations. Building a successful channel takes time, dedication, and a lot of hard work. Focus on creating high-quality content consistently and engaging with your audience to grow your subscriber base.

Remember, the amount of money YouTubers earn varies greatly, but with persistence and creativity, you can turn your passion into a profitable venture. Whether you're just starting or looking to take your channel to the next level, keep learning, experimenting, and most importantly, enjoying the process.

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