How much does a YouTuber with 20 million subscribers earn and other growth tiers: complete guide 2025

Creators’ earnings on YouTube are as varied as the platform’s niches themselves. Those aiming to build a career as a YouTuber need to understand that income doesn’t depend solely on the number of subscribers — engagement, geographic location of the audience, the chosen niche, and strategic use of multiple available monetization sources truly determine how much a person can earn.

Requirements to start monetizing on YouTube

Before understanding the earning ranges, it is essential to meet the criteria established by the platform. A content creator only begins to receive payments when they reach:

• 18 years or older
• 1,000 subscribers
• 4,000 hours of watch time on long videos, or 10 million views on Shorts
• Keep the channel in good standing with the platform

Payment is only released when the accumulated revenue reaches US$ 100 or more. From this threshold, the creator starts receiving monthly payments.

Equipment and necessary setup

Starting on YouTube doesn’t require astronomical investment. The essentials include:

• A camera (a smartphone is enough to start)
• A good quality microphone for clear audio
• Editing tools (CapCut, DaVinci, Premiere, or Vegas)
• Basic lighting to improve visual quality
• Content planning and optimized thumbnail design

The different income brackets: from beginner to top creator

###Initial phase channels(up to 10,000 subscribers)

Creators at this stage generate between R$ 100 and R$ 500 monthly, mainly through AdSense. Revenue growth involves diversification: incorporating product affiliation, offering SuperChat during live streams, negotiating small partnerships, and even selling their own products.

###Developing channels(50,000 to 500,000 subscribers)

This intermediate range produces revenue between R$ 2,000 and R$ 5,000 per month. Monetization expands: beyond AdSense, creators leverage SuperChat, Channel Clubs, paid collaborations, and initial advertising contracts.

###Established channels(1 million or more subscribers)

Here, earnings exceed R$ 20,000 monthly, with the potential to surpass R$ 100,000 when including brand contracts and high-value sponsored videos.

Top creators and how much a YouTuber with 20 million subscribers earns

Creators at this level — with tens of millions of followers — generate between R$ 200,000 and R$ 3 million per month. A YouTuber with 20 million subscribers is in this category, where earnings heavily depend on the niche, engagement quality, and advertising campaigns directly negotiated with global brands.

Main revenue sources on the platform

Google AdSense ads

The most traditional monetization system. The creator receives 55% of the revenue generated by ads. Payments vary based on CPC (Cost per Click), CPM (Cost per Thousand impressions), and RPM (Revenue per Thousand views).

YouTube Shopping and product sales

Creators with 500 subscribers registered in the Partner Program can connect their stores to sell:

• Physical products
• Digital products
• Merchandise

Affiliate marketing

One of the most profitable strategies, especially for small channels. Commissions can reach up to 80%, depending on the program.

SuperChat and Super Stickers

During live streams, viewers pay to highlight messages. It’s a quick and direct way to monetize.

Channel Memberships

Monthly subscriptions range from R$ 1.99 to R$ 2,699.99. The creator keeps 70% of the amount collected.

“Valeu Demais”

Fans send contributions via recorded videos or Shorts.

YouTube Premium

The platform distributes part of the premium subscription among creators based on watch time.

How much each view earns

Average global metrics are:

• Per view: approximately US$ 0.018
• Per 1,000 views (CPM): US$ 0.25 to US$ 4.50
• Per 20,000 views: US$ 36 to US$ 60

These values fluctuate depending on the geographic region of the audience, the channel’s niche, and seasonality.

The profile of the beginner creator versus the renowned creator

Beginner creators with fewer than 10,000 subscribers mainly start earning via AdSense but need to diversify. Engagement is more important than the raw size of the audience at this stage.

Renowned creators already master multiple fronts: contracts with larger brands, selling courses, merchandising, large-scale affiliation, and even agencies managing their careers.

Factors that truly influence earnings

Channel size is just one variable. What really determines income is:

• Engagement: comments, shares, and clicks directly impact monetization
• Audience location: viewers from the US, Canada, and the UK generate higher CPM
• Niche: finance, technology, and business channels have higher CPM
• Frequency: consistent posting keeps the algorithm favoring the content
• Technical quality: professional production attracts premium advertisers

Turning a small channel into a sustainable income source

Making money on YouTube is entirely feasible but requires strategic planning, consistency, and a deep understanding of the algorithm. Publishing videos alone isn’t enough — you need to think like a content entrepreneur, organize a structured editorial calendar, maintain high technical standards, and explore all available monetization avenues.

For those starting out, the initial absolute value matters less than the growth trajectory. With dedication, focus, and adaptation to trends, it’s entirely possible to scale a small channel into a robust income — and yes, reaching six or seven-figure monthly earnings is viable.