Let’s get one thing straight: YouTube isn’t just for Make-up tutorials or kids yelling over Minecraft videos (although both those do make bank!)
But, if you’ve ever caught yourself wondering “how much money can you make on YouTube?”, well do I have the answer for you!
The short version? A lot.
The longer version? Like, a boatload. Maybe even a yacht-load (if you play your cards right).
Stick around, because we’re about to break it all down—from ad money to secret income streams that most people don’t even know about.
Exactly how much money you can make on YouTube? Well… that depends.
It depends on what kind of videos you post, who’s watching, and whether you’re just wingin’ it or playing the YouTube game like a total boss.
Now listen—there are plenty of people out here just making it up as they go, and still raking in serious cash. But here’s the catch: when you’re winging it, you’re not really treating YouTube like a real business.
And if you don’t treat it right, it might turn around and smack you. One day your channel’s poppin’, and the next? BAM. A strike. Demonetized. Videos disappearing like socks in the dryer.
But if you’re here for the long run—and I know you are—then you’ve gotta treat it like a real job. It might take a little longer to see the money rolling in, but when it does? Oh girl, it’s gonna hit like direct deposit on payday.
Totally worth it.
Who is Really Making Money on YouTube?
You don’t need a fancy ring light, abs of steel, or look like Hailey Bieber’s cooler and cuter cousin to make serious money on YouTube. For real.
Some of the top YouTubers don’t even show their faces. They’re not flexing in the gym or doing flawless makeup tutorials. They’re just clever, creative people who figured out how YouTube works—and they’re cashing in.
Honestly? Being too perfect can actually hurt you. Viewers want real. And “real” looks more like messy buns, sweatpants, and a little leftover eyeliner from yesterday—not red-carpet vibes.
But here’s where things get a little confusing…
There’s a BIG difference between being a YouTuber and being an Influencer.
Most people think they’re the same, but in reality, they’re playing completely different games.
So before you dive in, you’ve got to ask yourself:
Which one are you?
YouTuber:
A YouTuber is like the boss behind the scenes. They know how YouTube works, build channels, and make money from ads, views, and smart moves.
Some YouTubers never even show their face—they just create videos people love to watch. It’s kind of like being the director, camera crew, and editor all rolled into one.
Influencer:
An Influencer is all about them. Their face is the content. They’re posting brand deals, story times, and “get ready with me” videos in dreamy lighting.
It’s about sharing their life, being relatable, and making people want what they have. Think Instagram, but longer and louder.
O.k., now here’s the truth:
Both can make big money. But knowing which one you want to be helps you focus. You don’t need to do it all—just pick your lane and crush it.
And get this…
Some of the richest people on YouTube aren’t even on camera! They’re shy, quiet, and totally behind the scenes—but they figured out how to work the system.
They picked a topic, stuck with it, and now they’re making thousands (or even millions) without ever showing their face.
Let me show you how they did it…
Step 1: Meet the YouTube Partner Program
Before the cash starts rolling in, you have to unlock the gate. That gate is called the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
You need 2 things to qualify:
- 1,000 subscribers
- 4,000 hours of watch time in the past 12 months
Once you hit those two milestones, you can start placing ads on your videos—and you get paid every time someone watches (or even clicks on) those ads.
Sounds simple enough, right?
But let’s be real here……. Talk is cheap (just like my coffee budget). I mean, you’re probably thinking: “yeah, yeah, but how much are we actually talking about here?” Totally fair.
I get the curiosity, the doubts, and hell I even second the side-eye!
Honestly though?
You should be asking those questions. Skepticism is healthy. It means your brain is working and not just blindly throwing itself into another online pipe dream. That’s right, you’re on the right track. What else can I say? I’m proud of you, my fellow hustler! 😉
But anyways. Stay with me here, because this is about to make a lot more sense soon. Promise.
Step 2: How Much Does YouTube Actually Pay?
Ah yes there it is: the golden question:
How much money can you make on YouTube?
Depending on your niche and strategy, YouTubers typically earn between $1 and $30 per 1,000 views.
That’s a pretty big range, so here’s what that means in plain English:
- 100,000 views = anywhere from $100 to $3,000
- The average channel makes about $1,155 for every 100,000 views
- Most channels earn closer to $5–$10 per 1,000 views
Yep, you read that right.
Your YouTube videos could go viral and still only make pizza money… unless you’re in a high-paying niche (more on that in a sec).
Step 3: What Makes Some Videos Pay More?
The amount advertisers pay per view is called CPM (Cost Per Mille = per 1,000 views). But there’s also RPM, which is how much you actually earn after YouTube takes its cut.
Different topics (aka niches) have different CPMs.
For example:
- Finance videos have crazy high CPMs. Competitive? YES! Does it pay? Hell to the yeah!
- Technology content also pulls in big $$$ **HOT TIP: the AI niche is BIG right now**
- Health, relationships, travel, and education videos often earn way more too!
Why are these niches so hot, anyways?
Because advertisers in these categories spend more money to reach viewers. If someone is searching for “how to fix my credit score” or “best travel insurance,” you better believe advertisers are fighting to get in front of them.
Compare that to prank videos or gaming, which often get way more views—but bring in way less money per view.
Step 4: Want to Boost Your YouTube Earnings? Make Longer Videos
Do you want to boost your income without doubling your views? Here is the secret:
The Secret?
Make your Videos Longer than 8 Minutes!
Once your video hits the 8-minute mark, you can add multiple ad breaks instead of just one at the start. That means more opportunities for ad revenue per video. I have a really good post that talks about the best length for YouTube videos, check that out when you get a chance!
Just don’t drag your video out for no reason. You still need to keep people watching. Add value, tell stories, and keep it moving.
Step 5: The Real Way YouTubers Get Rich…. Quick!
Now let me let you in on the not-so-secret secret: Ads are not where the real money is.
The smartest YouTubers (especially in the make money, health, or tech space) also make money with:
- Affiliate marketing – promoting products and getting a commission for every sale
- Digital products – like courses, eBooks, or templates
- Sponsorships – companies pay you to talk about them
- Memberships or Patreon – fans pay monthly to support your content
Check this out—there’s this guy who makes videos about money stuff (aka the “finance” niche), and he earns over $200 for every 1,000 views.
But it’s not just from YouTube ads. Nope. He also sells a digital course that he made one time—and now he sells it over and over again like a money-printing machine. Plus, he earns extra cash through affiliate links.
His channel gets about 1.1 million views every month, which means he makes at least $22,000 just from YouTube ads. Add in the course sales and affiliate deals? He’s making over $100,000 every single month. Yuppers. From YouTube.
Wild, right?
And the craziest part? This isn’t even rare. Loads of people are doing this. But you can’t just watch it happen—you’ve gotta jump in and try it yourself. That’s the only way to see the magic happen.
Step 6: You Don’t Even Need to Show Your Face
YouTube success isn’t just for influencers with ring lights and perfect skin.
Some of the highest-earning creators run faceless YouTube channels. They use AI voices, stock footage, screen recordings, or slideshows—and nobody even knows what they look like.
There are faceless channels making tens of thousands every month in niches like:
- Business history
- Travel guides
- Debt payoff advice
- Product reviews
- Compilation and top 10 videos
One small channel called Debt Bustershas only 20,000 subscribers and around 60,000 views/month. But they make over $10,000/month.
Why? Because they promote affiliate links for AI tools in their video descriptions. Brilliant!
So How Much Money Can You Make on YouTube?
Okay, let’s say your YouTube channel gets 100,000 views in a month.
Here’s how much money you might make:
- Around $500 if you’re in a low-paying topic
- Between $1,000 and $2,000 if your topic pays pretty well
- Over $5,000 if you add things like affiliate links, brand deals, or sell your own stuff
The math is easy:
More views x higher pay per view = more ad money
Add other ways to earn = your very own YouTube empire
You don’t need a studio or a fancy setup. Just a good idea, a little hustle, and a dab of that baddie confidence I know you have!
The $1,000,000 Question
Yes! A million times yesssssss!
Here’s the thing: YouTube isn’t just some side hobby—it can be a real business. I know people (like, actual people I know in real life) who do YouTube full time and make good money doing it. One of them is my own kid!
Believe me when I say this: you don’t need to be famous, rich, or super fancy. You just need a plan, a topic you care about, and the guts to keep going.
Again, just remember, it can possibly take some time. It can take trial and error.
But if you’re funny, helpful, or just consistently posting videos where your cat does parkour, you might have a shot.
And even if you’re broke right now, just remember:
- You don’t need to show your face
- You don’t need fancy gear
- You just need a little strategy and a lot of patience
Whether you’re sharing makeup tips, money advice, or bedtime stories, there’s space for you on YouTube. And the coolest part? Videos you make now can keep making you money later. Like, months—or even years—later.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a channel, take this as your sign. Go start it! Get that YouTube money!
For more ideas on how to make money without selling your soul (or spending your rent), hang out here on mayawaters.com 😊
