How much does YouTube pay? The reality of creators' earnings in 2025

How much does YouTube pay creators? This question doesn’t have a single answer — it all depends on the size of the channel, the niche explored, the level of audience engagement, and, most importantly, how many income sources you can activate simultaneously.

Income ranges by channel size

Beginners usually face modest numbers. A creator with fewer than 10,000 subscribers typically earns between R$ 100 and R$ 500 per month solely from AdSense — YouTube’s automatic ad system. The transformation happens when you add other revenue streams: affiliates, SuperChat, digital products, and initial sponsored partnerships.

In the intermediate range, channels with 50,000 to 500,000 subscribers can earn R$ 2,000 to R$ 5,000 per month by combining multiple strategies. Here, there’s room for more structured advertising campaigns and a loyal follower base capable of generating SuperChats and Channel Club memberships.

Creators reaching 1 million subscribers enter a different tier: most surpass R$ 20,000 monthly, with potential to reach R$ 100,000 when including exclusive advertising contracts. The biggest names — those with tens of millions of followers — move impressive figures: between R$ 200,000 and R$ 3 million per month, depending on the niche and the number of campaigns closed.

How much does YouTube pay per view?

Numbers vary depending on the metric. Globally, each view earns about US$ 0.018 for the creator. When converted to the CPM (cost per thousand views) metric, the range is between US$ 0.25 and US$ 4.50. This means 20,000 views generate between US$ 36 and US$ 60 in revenue — values that vary quite a bit depending on the audience’s geographic location, content type, and seasonality.

Different ways to make money on the platform

Automatic ads (AdSense)

YouTube places ads on your videos, and you receive 55% of what advertisers pay. The system operates based on CPC (click per ad) and CPM (cost per thousand impressions). RPM (revenue per thousand actual views) is the most relevant figure, as it shows how much you effectively earn after the platform’s cut.

Affiliate marketing

One of the most profitable strategies for growing channels. You recommend third-party products — from software to equipment — and earn a commission when someone makes a purchase through your link. Some companies offer up to 80% commission, making this income source extremely attractive for creators with engaged audiences.

SuperChat and Super Stickers

During live streams, viewers can pay to highlight their messages in chat. This mode works well for creators who can interact in real-time with their community.

Channel Club and memberships

Offer exclusive benefits to your paying subscribers. Memberships range from R$ 1.99 to R$ 2,699.99, and you retain 70% of the amount collected.

YouTube Shopping

If you sell physical or digital products, connect your store to YouTube. The platform provides space for you to display your items directly in videos.

YouTube Premium

Part of the fee paid by platform subscribers is distributed among creators based on the time people watch their content.

“Valeu Demais”

A feature that allows fans to send contributions in recorded videos or Shorts — an even more informal way of direct support.

What you need to start earning

First, meet the technical requirements of the YouTube Partner Program: be 18 or older, have at least 1,000 subscribers, and accumulate 4,000 hours of watch time on long videos OR 10 million views on Shorts. Your channel must be in good standing on the platform.

Next, invest in basic equipment — a decent camera (your smartphone already works), a quality microphone, editing software (CapCut, DaVinci, Premiere, or Vegas), and simple lighting. More important than equipment is having a clear content strategy, optimized thumbnails, and posting consistently.

When does the money start to arrive?

YouTube releases payments when you accumulate US$ 100 or more in your account. However, this doesn’t happen overnight. Growth is progressive — the better your engagement, the higher your earnings per view.

The truth about making money on YouTube

Turning a channel into a source of income requires more than just uploading videos. It demands editorial strategy, content calendar management, consistent technical quality, and above all, understanding that monetization is not passive — you need to explore multiple revenue sources simultaneously.

For beginners, the first R$ 100 to R$ 500 may seem small. But this metric is deceptive. The important thing is to observe the growth curve: if your channel is evolving, it means the system is working. With dedication, patience, and strategy, small channels can become solid income-generating machines — and yes, even millionaire ones.