Note that none of these top earners make money only in the ad sense (revenue from YouTube ads). That’s because doing so will only bring in $0.01 to $0.03 per view. That’s not a lot of money.
If you really want to get rich on YouTube, you will not only need a large number of subscribers (at least 1 million), but you will also need to spread yourself a bit through multiple businesses and partnerships.
But that’s not the only way to go. That’s why I do things differently with my YouTube channel that allows me to have a multi-billion dollar business with only 541,000 subscribers (and only devote a small amount of time to my channel). I will share more about my method, but first, let’s take a deeper look at how high earners make money.
Focus on the People Who Are Profiting from YouTube
Mr. Beast ($82 Million)
In 2024, Jimmy Donaldson, better known as Mr. Beast, not only entertains people on YouTube with his massive 258 million subscribers; he returned a Time Magazine lists the 100 Most Influential People. Known for his high-profile stunts and heartwarming philanthropy, he first shot to fame in 2017 with a crazy video where he counted to 100,000. Since then, his videos, often with impressive gifts, have risen in popularity. Let’s not forget his burger joint that was founded in 2020 – not just a miracle, but a successful business that continues to attract crowds by responding to text with fast food. Mr. Beast does more than videos, he makes waves, and has been at it since 2012.
Rhett and Link ($51 Million)
Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, known as Rhett and Link, host the daily YouTube show Good Mythical Morning. With more than 5.08 million subscribers and 9 billion views since its launch in 2008, the duo’s channel features a comedy show format where they do weird things, like eat unusual foods, experiment, and play games with celebrity guests. Their popular videos include eating a scorpion, eating the world’s hottest chili, and super-frying oddities like grass and toothpaste. They have been making videos since 2006.
Markiplier ($35 Million)
Markiplier, who boasts over 36.3 million subscribers, is a prominent YouTuber known for his engaging sports content and charity initiatives. His energetic and humorous manner has captivated audiences since his early days on stage. Markiplier’s philanthropic efforts, including live streams for charities and donations, have garnered much praise, making him a popular figure in the YouTube community. He has been making videos since 2012.
Ryan Kaji ($35 Million)
With over 36.2 million subscribers, Ryan’s YouTube channel is managed by his parents to comply with YouTube’s partner program guidelines. Since the age of 3, Ryan has gained notoriety for reviewing toys with unboxing and play videos, but his content has evolved to include scientific testing. Additionally, his success on YouTube has led to a Nickelodeon TV series called “Ryan’s Mystery Playdate,” and he has his own line of clothing and toys.
Jake Paul ($34 Million)
Jake Paul, who has more than 20.5 million subscribers, gained fame for his extreme antics and spectacular boxing matches. Since 2017, his controversial actions and collaborations with celebrities have boosted his internet career. Despite generating devoted fans and fierce critics, Jake Paul remains a dominant figure in the digital world. He has been making videos since 2013.
Ramit Sethi (Multi-Million dollar business)
Although I don’t have millions of followers like these other creators, I have a multi-million dollar business that YouTube has helped me with. And I was able to do it without embarrassing myself by pulling pranks like this, doing toy reviews, or spending millions of dollars rebuilding the Octopus Games set. And the main way I was able to do this was by selling online courses. You see, each of my YouTube videos leads viewers to subscribe to my email list where I can build a strong connection with my audience and ultimately provide digital products that sell.
My channel does not require an excessive amount of production. In fact, most of my YouTube content is just the video version for my podcast, which is a screen recording of me talking to my guests. You can see an example below. For more details on how content creators monetize their channels, check out this detailed guide, How Much Will Content Creators Make in 2024? (+$$ Making Tips).