This YouTube earnings list shows what the biggest creators reportedly earn, what typical channels earn per 1,000 views, and what you need before YouTube pays you at all. The short version: top creators earn tens of millions a year, mostly from more than just ads. Most channels earn a few dollars per 1,000 views, and the amount depends heavily on niche and audience location.
Last updated: October 2026 · How we researched this: we read YouTube’s official Partner Program and Shorts revenue sharing help pages, coverage of the YPP changes announced for 2027, Forbes’ Top Creators 2025 figures as reported by Complex, and published CPM benchmarks by niche.
Key takeaways
- YouTube creators keep 55% of long-form ad revenue and 45% of their allocated Shorts revenue.
- To earn ad revenue you need 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours (12 months) or 10 million Shorts views (90 days). New applicants face higher bars from February 1, 2027.
- Published CPM estimates range from about $3 to $8 for gaming to $15 to $45 for finance. Your RPM (what you keep) is lower.
- The richest YouTubers earn most of their money from brands, products and sponsorships, not AdSense alone.
YouTube earnings list: top creators in 2025
Forbes publishes an annual Top Creators ranking. These estimates cover all income, including sponsorships and businesses, not just YouTube ad revenue. Figures are from the 2025 list as reported by Complex.
| Creator | Main platform | Estimated earnings (Forbes 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) | YouTube | $85 million |
| Dhar Mann | YouTube and social video | $56 million |
| Rhett & Link | YouTube | $36 million |
| Mark Rober | YouTube | $25 million |
These are pre-tax estimates and include costs like staff and production. They are outliers. The vast majority of channels earn little or nothing from ads.
How YouTube pays creators: the revenue share
YouTube keeps part of every ad dollar. For long-form videos, creators in the YouTube Partner Program receive 55% of net ad revenue. For Shorts, YouTube pools ad revenue and creators keep 45% of their allocated share, as explained on the official Shorts revenue sharing page.
CPM vs RPM: the numbers that matter
- CPM is what advertisers pay per 1,000 ad impressions. It is the gross figure.
- RPM is what you actually earn per 1,000 views, after YouTube’s share, and counting views with no ads.
- Your RPM is always lower than CPM. Many viral lists confuse the two.
YouTube RPM and CPM by niche
YouTube does not publish niche averages. The figures below are third-party CPM estimates compiled by OutlierKit from published sources. Applying the 55% share gives a rough ceiling for ad RPM, not a promise.
| Niche | Published CPM estimate | Rough ad RPM ceiling (55%) |
|---|---|---|
| Investing and stock market | $20 to $40 | $11 to $22 |
| Personal finance | $15 to $25 | $8.25 to $13.75 |
| Legal and tax education | $15 to $40 | $8.25 to $22 |
| Tech reviews | $10 to $18 | $5.50 to $9.90 |
| AI and technology | $8 to $20 | $4.40 to $11 |
| Gaming | $3 to $8 | $1.65 to $4.40 |
Audience country matters as much as niche. US, UK, Canadian and Australian viewers usually bring higher ad rates. Season matters too, since ad budgets rise toward the year-end holidays.
Quick earnings formula
Estimated ad earnings = (monetized long-form views ÷ 1,000) × your RPM. For example, 100,000 views at a $4 RPM is about $400. Check your real RPM in YouTube Studio once you are monetized.
YouTube Partner Program requirements in 2026 and 2027
You cannot earn ad revenue until you join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Here are the published thresholds from YouTube’s eligibility page and the 2027 changes reported by Search Engine Journal.
| Tier | Until January 31, 2027 | New applicants from February 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Ad revenue (long-form) | 1,000 subscribers + 4,000 watch hours in 12 months | 1,000 subscribers + 8,000 watch hours |
| Ad revenue (Shorts route) | 1,000 subscribers + 10M Shorts views in 90 days | 1,000 subscribers + 20M Shorts views |
| Fan funding and Shopping | 500 subscribers, 3 uploads in 90 days, 3,000 watch hours or 3M Shorts views | Unchanged |
Existing partners keep their status. From February 2027, channels also need 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days to earn from the Shorts Creator Pool. Partners must accept the updated terms in YouTube Studio by January 31, 2027.
Other basics apply: you must live in a YPP country, follow monetization policies, have no active Community Guidelines strikes, turn on 2-Step Verification, and link an AdSense account.
Beyond ads: how YouTubers really make money
Ad revenue is just one stream. Most full-time creators combine several:
- Brand sponsorships and integrations
- Channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks
- YouTube Shopping and affiliate links (with clear disclosure)
- Their own products, courses or newsletters
- YouTube Premium revenue, paid based on Premium members’ watch time
If you plan to sell to your audience, an email list helps. See our AWeber vs Kit (formerly ConvertKit) comparison for creator-friendly email tools.
Who should not count on YouTube income
- Anyone who needs income within months. Reaching YPP takes most channels a long time, and many never do.
- Creators in low-CPM niches who rely on ads alone.
- People unwilling to publish consistently. YouTube’s 2027 rules add activity requirements.
For faster, more predictable options, see our list of the best money making sites.
Related guides
- Make money while you sleep with evergreen YouTube videos and other passive income
- How to make real money online: 9 proven paths
- How to make money online for beginners
FAQ
How much does YouTube pay for 1,000 views?
It depends on niche, audience country and ad demand. Third-party CPM estimates range from about $3 to $8 in gaming to $15 to $45 in finance, and creators keep 55% of long-form ad revenue, so actual RPM is lower.
How many subscribers do you need to get paid on YouTube?
For ad revenue you need 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours in 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days. Fan funding and Shopping features open at 500 subscribers with lower watch requirements.
Who is the highest-paid YouTuber?
MrBeast topped Forbes’ Top Creators 2025 list with estimated earnings of $85 million. That figure includes income from his businesses and deals, not just YouTube ads.
How much do YouTubers make from Shorts?
Shorts revenue comes from a shared Creator Pool, and creators keep 45% of their allocated share. Shorts usually earn far less per view than long-form videos.
Conclusion
This YouTube earnings list shows a huge gap between the top creators and everyone else. Ad income depends on your niche, audience and YPP status, and the bar rises for new channels in 2027. Treat ads as one stream, build sponsorships and products alongside it, and use your own YouTube Studio RPM, not viral estimates, to plan.
