How Much Do TikTokers Make? Latest Data and Trends 2025

Some people post because it’s fun. Others are making rent with it.

TikTok didn’t start out as a way to earn, but that’s what it’s become for a growing number of creators, including people without massive followings. People figuring out how to turn a few thousand views into something that pays. A side income. A steady stream. In some cases, a full-time job.

We know that TikTok’s original Creator Fund, which has now ended, was valued at $2 billion. While payouts from the new system haven’t been publicly disclosed, it’s safe to say TikTok is paying serious money to creators. And that doesn’t even include the ones earning through Patreon, subscriptions, affiliate links, product sales, and every other way people have learned to make their content work for them.

Let’s take a look at everything you should know about gaining a TikTok income (and whether it’s still possible right now).

Table of Contents
– What is TikTok?
– Can You Make Money From TikTok?
– How Much Money Can You Make From TikTok?
– How do People Make Money on TikTok?
– What are the Best TikTok Niches to Earn From?
– Highest Paid TikTokers in 2025
– The TikTok Earnings of Micro influencers
– TikTok Tips to Get Started
– Create TikTok Videos with Podcastle for Free

What is TikTok?

You probably know TikTok, or at least heard about it. At this point, who hasn’t

Still, here’s the quick rundown: it’s a video app where people post short clips, usually 15 seconds to a few minutes long. The videos are mostly vertical, scroll endlessly, and cover everything from dance trends and lip-syncs to advice, product reviews, recipes, and really personal stuff.

The app launched in 2016 by a company called ByteDance (Same company that owns CapCut), and since then, it’s exploded. The For You page is where most of the magic happens. It serves up content based on what you watch and like, without a real need for TikTok users to follow anyone. Which means that one video from a small account can end up with millions of views by tomorrow.

TikTok feels different from every other platform. Fast content, at times quite random, and incredibly addictive. And for creators, it’s opened up a new kind of opportunity that doesn’t depend on already having a huge following.

Can You Make Money From TikTok?

For some creators, yes. But the answer depends on how you approach it, how much time you’re willing to put in, and whether you treat it like a serious business.

TikTok has made it possible for everyday people to grow an audience quickly. That part is real. You don’t need years of experience or professional gear. If you can hold attention, you can build something. But turning views into income usually takes more than one viral video. Most creators who make a living from TikTok have found ways to earn from multiple sources, often at the same time.

Consistency is a big factor. Posting often, trying new ideas, and staying involved with your community are what keep momentum going. There’s also a lot of behind-the-scenes work. You have to be writing scripts, testing your content formats, responding to comments regularly, managing brand emails, and tracking trends. It might be less or more than those things, depending on the type of content creator you’re shaping yourself into. But in any case, none of that is obvious when you’re just watching videos.

For the top 1%, TikTok can be wildly profitable. But for most creators, it becomes a mix of small wins that add up. Some make a few hundred dollars a month. Others turn it into a six-figure income by expanding into YouTube, merch, podcasting, or their own product lines.

It’s doable. But it takes strategy, patience, and a willingness to adapt when things stop working.

How Much Money Can You Make From TikTok?

Data from career platforms like ZipRecruiter show that the average TikTok influencer earns around $131,874 per year. But that number doesn’t tell the whole story, as it’s heavily skewed by the top 1% of creators pulling in millions.

Most creators earn far less. According to NeoReach's Creator Earnings Report, nearly half of TikTok influencers make under $15,000 a year. Only a third are bringing in something close to a full-time salary. That said, a decent percentage are earning between $25K, $50K, even $75K or more, and some are clearing six figures without being household names.

According to the survey, TikTok influencers reported the following income ranges:

1. 48% made under $15,000 annually
2. 9% earned between $15,000 and $25,000
3. 7% brought in between $25,000 and $35,000
4. 5% reported earnings from $35,000 to $50,000
5. 11% fell between $50,000 and $75,000
6. 5% made between $75,000 and $100,000
7. 6% landed in the $100,000 to $150,000 range
8. 7% earned $200,000 or more

The real takeaway here isn’t that making money is rare. It’s that making enough is the harder part. But if you’re earning anything at all, that’s a sign you’re doing something right. You have an audience. You’re creating value. And you’ve got a foundation to build on.

Plenty of creators stay at that early stage. The ones who grow treat that income like a signal, and lean into it.

How do People Make Money on TikTok?

Making money on TikTok isn’t as straightforward as posting a viral video and cashing out. Most creators earn by combining different income streams, each with its own pros, limits, and requirements. Here’s how it typically works.

1) Brand Deals and Sponsored Content

This is one of the most reliable ways TikTokers earn money. Once a creator builds a solid following and gets good engagement, brands start to take notice. They might pay for a shoutout, a full product review, or a short creative video that weaves their brand into the story.

The rates vary. If you have around 10,000 to 100,000 followers, a brand might offer $100 to $500 per post. Once you’re in the 100,000 to 500,000 range, that can jump to $2,000 or more. Big names with millions of followers often charge tens of thousands per deal. Demetra Dias, for example, reportedly earns around $20,000 for a single post thanks to deals with brands like Steve Madden and Hollister.

2) TikTok’s Creator Rewards Program

TikTok has a built-in system to pay creators directly, but the earnings are small unless you’re getting millions of views consistently. The new Creator Rewards Program pays based on views, watch time, and how engaging the content is.

Most creators say they earn around one to three cents for every thousand views. That means a video with a million views might bring in $20 to $40. It’s helpful as a bonus, but not enough to rely on as a main source of income.

3) Affiliate Marketing and TikTok Shop

Creators who talk about products often drop a link in their bio or use TikTok Shop. If someone buys through that link, the creator gets a cut. Some use this with Amazon affiliates or brand-specific programs. Others use TikTok’s native shopping features.

The commission varies depending on what’s being sold. Some creators bring in a few hundred dollars a month. Others have built it into a system that earns them $5,000 to $10,000 a month or more. It really depends on the audience, the product, and how well the video performs.

4) Live Streams and Virtual Gifts

When creators go live, their followers can send them virtual gifts bought with real money. Each gift has a coin value. TikTok takes a cut, but the rest gets converted into actual cash for the creator.

A simple gift like a rose costs one coin, which is roughly one cent. Larger gifts, like the TikTok Universe, can be worth over $400. After TikTok’s share, creators usually receive between 30% and 50% of the value. For creators with loyal, active communities, this can become a steady stream of income.

Where Creators Actually Earn Their Income

The majority of creators aren’t relying on merch, tips, or even subscriptions. For most, the biggest slice of income comes from brand partnerships. In fact, more than 66% of surveyed creators say brand deals make up the largest share of what they earn. And when asked what they want their main source of income to be, brand deals came out on top again — followed closely by ad share revenue.

This says a lot about what creators are looking for. They want partnerships that feel reliable. They want to work with brands directly, instead of relying on one-off purchases or fluctuating subscriber counts. Some go a step further, using that income to start their own brand, which then creates a full loop of creator-to-brand collaborations.

Ad revenue is also something creators want more of, but only if the platform gets the split right.

What are the Best TikTok Niches to Earn From?

TikTok might feel like an equal playing field, but some content categories offer a lot more earning potential than others. Lifestyle and fashion are two of the most crowded niches on the platform. They’re popular, sure. But that popularity comes at a cost: more competition, lower average payouts, and fewer chances to stand out.

On the other end, creators in tech, business, and food are seeing higher average earnings. Tech, in particular, sits at the top. That’s likely because brands in these spaces have bigger budgets, higher-priced products, and clearer ways to measure ROI. Same with business content, it attracts creators with valuable expertise, and audiences who are willing to spend.

Even food & drink, while still fairly saturated, shows up with stronger earning numbers. It’s visual, it performs well in short-form, and it opens the door to restaurant collabs, brand sponsorships, or even product launches.

That doesn’t mean you can’t make money in lifestyle or beauty. But it does mean you’ll need to be sharper with your strategy. Especially if you’re competing with creators who’ve been doing it for years and already have brand relationships in place.

Highest Paid TikTokers in 2025

Some creators have turned TikTok into a full-time career, and in a few cases, into something much bigger. Here are a few standout names, with details on how they earn and how much they’re making.

1) Khaby Lame (@khaby.lame)

Khaby became known for his silent, deadpan reactions to overcomplicated life hacks. His videos are simple, consistent, and instantly recognizable. That clarity helped him become the most-followed TikToker in the world.

He reportedly earns up to $750,000 for a single brand deal and made around $16.5 million in one year. Most of that comes from partnerships with big names like Hugo Boss and his own licensing deals.

2) Charli D’Amelio (@charlidamelio)

Charli rose to fame through dance videos and was one of the first creators to really show how fast TikTok could launch a career. Since then, she’s signed with major brands, launched a reality show on Hulu, and created her own clothing and perfume lines.

She was estimated to earn about $23.5 million in 2024, with income coming from sponsorships, merchandise, and media appearances.

3) Addison Rae (@addisonre)

Addison built her brand around dance and lifestyle content. She used that momentum to land a Netflix film, release music, and co-found a beauty brand called ITEM Beauty. She also works with companies like American Eagle and Spotify.

Her estimated yearly income sits around $8.5 million, most of it coming from partnerships and her own products.

4) Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch)

Bella’s lip-sync video to “Sophie Aspin Send” became one of the most-liked videos on TikTok. From there, she signed a music deal, released a charting single, and collaborated with brands like Moncler and HyperX.

She reportedly makes around $3.3 million a year, split between brand deals and her music career.

5) Dixie D'Amelio (@dixiedamelio)

Dixie built her following alongside her sister Charli through TikTok dance videos, but quickly shifted focus to music, brand partnerships, and reality TV. She’s released multiple singles, signed with a major label, and co-founded the clothing line Social Tourist with her sister. She also stars in The D’Amelio Show on Hulu, which documents both their personal lives and business ventures.

Dixie earns around $11.5 million, with income from music, sponsored posts, brand deals, and media appearances. Despite that, she stirred controversy after saying on camera that her biggest professional goal was to “marry rich” because she doesn’t want to work anymore (a statement that sparked backlash given her current wealth and career momentum.)

The Earnings of Micro Influencers on TikTok

While top TikTok stars earn millions, many creators generate modest yet meaningful incomes. Here are some verified examples:

1) Alana Thomson (@alana_thompson_)

A 42-year-old from Glasgow, Alana transitioned from an aesthetic practitioner role to full-time TikTok fashion influencer. After a viral 12-second video, she now has 91,000 followers and earns up to £20,000 per month through TikTok Shop’s affiliate marketing, working up to 12 hours daily.

2) Priscilla Lopez (@pmarielopez)

Formerly a special education teacher, Priscilla began posting budgeting and home-cooking videos. Starting with just $13 in her first month, she earned $77,948 by the end of the year through TikTok Shop’s affiliate program, helping her pay off $10,000 in credit card debt.

3) Jade Mckelvie (@jades_family)

A young mother from West Sussex, Jade balances her role as an Evri delivery driver with being a TikTok influencer. She earns between £1,500 to £2,000 monthly from TikTok, with potential peaks up to £5,000, allowing her to provide for her family while staying at home.

TikTok Tips To Get Started

If you’re hoping to turn your content into income, there are a few things that can make a real difference. These aren’t quick fixes, but they help build a foundation for consistent growth and better opportunities to monetize.

1) Pick a niche and stick with it

People follow creators who offer something specific. That might be affordable fashion, DIY home projects, personal finance, or just daily humor. The clearer your niche, the easier it is to attract the right audience, and the brands who want to reach them.

2) Make your bio and links work for you

Your profile isn’t just a landing page. It’s where you guide people. If you’re using affiliate links, link to a storefront or product collection. If you’re open to brand deals, include a business email. Small tweaks here can turn casual views into income.

3) Post with intention, not just frequency

Posting often helps, but throwing up random videos usually doesn’t lead anywhere. Look at what performs well, then try different versions of it. Watch your comments, check your analytics, and adjust based on what people actually respond to.

4) Don’t rely on one income stream

The Creator Rewards Program is fine, but it’s small money unless you’re pulling big views. Look into TikTok Shop, affiliate programs, or brand partnerships as soon as you can. Even creators with smaller followings can make solid income from product sales if their niche is a good fit.

5) Talk about what you use or love

Some of the best-performing money-making videos are product reviews or casual recommendations. If you already use something daily, share it. Just make sure your audience trusts that it’s real. Forced promotions are easy to spot and usually don’t convert well.

Create TikTok Videos with Podcastle for Free

Making money on TikTok is possible, but it takes more than luck. It depends on how consistent you are, how well you understand your audience, and how you turn attention into income. We’ve looked at the main ways people earn — through brand deals, affiliate marketing, live streams, and the Creator Rewards Program — and we’ve seen that some creators earn millions while others bring in a few thousand a month by staying focused and using the tools available to them.

One of those tools is Podcastle's free Video Editor. If you’re putting videos together for TikTok, it lets you do the basics without extra gear or software. You can resize videos to the right aspect ratio, clean up quality with AI upscaling, and add things like free stock footage, GIFs, or royalty-free music.

It’s a simple way to get your content ready, especially if you’re working alone or just getting started.