How much does a YouTuber really earn: actual revenue based on channel size in 2025

Many creators dream of turning a YouTube channel into a source of income, but few truly know what to expect. The truth is that earnings depend on multiple variables: subscriber volume, niche explored, community engagement, geographic location of the audience, and, most importantly, how the creator combines different revenue sources.

Where to start: what you really need

Before talking about numbers, it’s essential to understand the minimum requirements for monetization:

Equipment that makes a difference:

• Quality camera (smartphone already suffices at the start)
• Decent microphone for professional audio
• Editing tools (CapCut, DaVinci, Premiere)
• Proper lighting for your space
• Consistent content planning

Mandatory YouTube requirements:

• Be part of the Partner Program
• Have 1,000 subscribers as a baseline
• Accumulate 4,000 hours of watch time (long videos) or 10 million views in Shorts
• Be over 18 years old
• Channel without active penalties

Without these items, any monetization strategy is compromised.

How much does a YouTuber earn at different stages?

Numbers vary quite a bit, but realistic ranges can be established:

Beginner phase (up to 10,000 subscribers) Creators at this stage earn between R$ 100 and R$ 500 monthly solely via AdSense. Growth occurs when they start incorporating other strategies: affiliate sales, SuperChat during live streams, small brand partnerships.

Consolidation phase (50,000 to 500,000 subscribers) At this stage, monthly revenue fluctuates between R$ 2,000 and R$ 5,000. Diversifying income sources is crucial here — combining traditional ads, Channel Memberships with recurring subscriptions, sponsored content, and paid collaborations.

Established phase (1 million+ subscribers) Established channels regularly surpass R$ 20,000 per month, reaching R$ 100,000 when they include long-term advertising contracts and campaigns with larger brands.

Top tier (tens of millions of followers) The biggest creators move between R$ 200,000 and R$ 3 million monthly, depending solely on niche relevance and volume of corporate campaigns closed.

The specific case: how much does a YouTuber with 5,000 subscribers earn?

A channel in this range is between beginner and established. The reality is that R$ 300 to R$ 1,200 per month is a realistic estimate, considering only AdSense. However, creators at this stage have great potential if they explore all alternatives.

At this phase, affiliates start to generate well — commissions can reach 80% depending on the product. It’s also when the first sponsorships begin to appear, significantly boosting earnings.

Different paths to generate revenue

Classic advertising via AdSense The foundation of everything. YouTube passes 55% of ad revenue to creators. Earnings vary by CPC, CPM, and mainly RPM (real revenue per thousand views). Internationally, the average is around US$ 0.018 per view.

Integrated commerce YouTube Shopping allows selling both physical and digital items directly on the platform. Requires 500 subscribers and membership in the Partner Program. Own merchandise is especially profitable for niches with engaged communities.

Affiliate marketing as a main strategy One of the most lucrative for growing channels. Honest product recommendations generate substantial commissions — sometimes higher than AdSense itself.

Monetized interactions during live streams SuperChat and Super Stickers allow followers to pay to highlight messages during broadcasts. “Valeu Demais” works similarly in regular videos.

Channel Memberships Values range from R$ 1.99 to R$ 2,699.99 per month. Creators retain 70% of this revenue. It generates a predictable flow when well implemented.

YouTube Premium Part of premium subscriptions is distributed proportionally among creators consumed by subscribers.

How much do you earn per thousand views?

Values fluctuate depending on geography and niche:

• International CPM: US$ 0.25 to US$ 4.50
• 20,000 views generate approximately US$ 36 to US$ 60
• The global average per individual view is close to US$ 0.018

Brazil historically has a lower CPM than developed markets, which is why many creators focus on international audiences.

The real journey: when does payment start?

YouTube deposits earnings only when a minimum of US$ 100 is accumulated. For most beginners, this takes months. The process requires:

1. Reaching 1,000 subscribers
2. Accumulating 4,000 hours watched
3. Being part of the Partner Program
4. Having a linked Google account
5. Waiting for monthly processing

Beginners should understand that the first few months are about building, not immediate profitability.

What truly determines success?

Numbers grow when creators stop thinking like hobbyists and start acting professionally: consistent editorial calendar, proper technical quality, optimized thumbnails, keyword research, and — above all — content that truly matters to the audience.

Turning a small channel into a source of income is not impossible. It requires strategy, patience with the initial curve, and willingness to experiment with multiple monetization sources simultaneously.