So, you’ve hit 1,000 subscribers on YouTube (or maybe that's what you're currently aiming for) — now what?
Is that number enough to start making real money, or just another step along the way?
We’re here to break it all down: 1,000 subs, 100k, 1 million, even 10 million. This is the full journey of a content creator, from the first milestone to the top of the game.
We’ll walk you through what each stage means for your earnings, giving you a clear view of how your subscriber count can transform into serious income.
How Much Money Do You Make on YouTube with 1,000 Subscribers?
Earning money on YouTube isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. For those starting out, reaching 1,000 subscribers is a huge milestone—but it’s just the beginning when it comes to generating income.
To start monetizing, you need to meet the requirements of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which include:
- 1,000 subscribers
- 4,000 valid public watch hours within the past 12 months
- Compliance with YouTube’s monetization policies
- An active and linked AdSense account
- No community guideline strikes
With 1,000 subscribers, your income won’t be life-changing, but it’s a step in the right direction. Earnings at this level are modest and heavily dependent on the number of ad views your videos generate. Typically, smaller channels with active audiences can make between $1 to $3 per 1,000 ad views (which translates to around $10 to $30 per 1,000 video views if ads are watched.)
Other factors, like the niche of your content, the demographics of your viewers, and your video’s watch time play important roles in determining your final earnings. For example, channels with a dedicated following in niches like finance or tech, where there's a higher cost-per-mille (CPM) see better returns even with a smaller subscriber base.
How Much Money Do You Make on YouTube with 10,000 Subscribers?
Once you hit 10,000 subscribers, you'll notice your channel gaining more visibility and, with it, more earning potential. While this milestone won’t make you rich, it positions you for more consistent revenue streams.
Channels with 10,000 subscribers often make between $500 to $1,000 per month, provided they maintain a consistent upload schedule and encourage viewer interaction.
But this revenue depends on various factors, the most crucial ones being:
- Video length: Longer videos (10 minutes or more) can include mid-roll ads, which are able to boost your potential ad revenue.
- Ad type: Non-skippable ads and mid-roll ads typically offer higher CPMs.
- Engagement: High watch-through rates and active commenting increase video reach and revenue.
At this level, creators might start attracting sponsorship deals. Brands often look for niche channels that align with their products, and with 10,000 subscribers, you’re considered an influencer within your niche. And once a deal comes through, the sponsored videos that come with it can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to your monthly income (depending on the deal. Pick wisely!)
How Much Money Do You Make on YouTube with 100,000 Subscribers?
Hitting 100,000 subscribers is a major accomplishment that solidifies your status as a prominent YouTuber. Earnings for channels at this level typically range from $2,000 to $5,000 per month, or even higher, depending on content type, viewer demographics, and overall engagement. Plus, depending on your niche, for example, if you were in the technology, finance, or education spaces, you can see significantly higher revenue due to higher CPMs.
So, with a grand total of 100,000 subscribers, you unlock more substantial monetization opportunities, such as:
- Channel memberships: Offer exclusive content or perks for a monthly fee.
- Merchandise: Sell branded products directly through YouTube’s shopping feature.
- Super Chat and Super Stickers: Allow fans to pay for highlighted comments during live streams.
This is when collaborations and sponsorships become much more common, with brands eager to reach your audience. Depending on the partnership, these sponsorships can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per video. And at this stage, you start to see content creators branch out into additional revenue streams like affiliate marketing, adding yet another source of income to it all.
How Much Money Do You Make on YouTube with 1 Million Subscribers?
Reaching 1 million subscribers marks you as a top-tier content creator. Channels at this level can earn anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 per month and sometimes even more, depending on factors like video performance, audience retention, and brand deals or sponsors, and any affiliate marketing or merch you've got going on.
Additional income sources you're bound to see at this level include:
- Sponsored content: Partnerships with major brands can bring in thousands per sponsored video.
- Merchandising and exclusive products: Selling branded items or unique products to fans.
- Affiliate programs: Leveraging partnerships to earn commissions on product sales.
The diversity of income streams is the best way to guarantee any content creator isn't solely dependent on ad revenue. At this level, you might run into premium advertisers and sponsors, willing to pay much more for exposure and acknowledging the influence such a large following might have for them.
How Much Money Do You Make on YouTube with 10 Million Subscribers?
A channel with 10 million subscribers is among the most successful on YouTube, and it's safe to say that, by this point, you're a full-time YouTuber posting regularly and with a broad net of social presence. Monthly earnings will be through the roof, often reaching $100,000 or more, and some channels report annual incomes in the millions. This level of success comes from multiple revenue streams, including:
- High-value sponsorships: Brands pay top dollar for placement on channels with massive reach.
- Exclusive partnerships: Ongoing deals that involve consistent promotion and brand loyalty.
- Personal ventures: Leveraging popularity to launch products like books, courses, or apps.
Creators with 10 million subscribers often collaborate with other high-profile influencers and even move into mainstream media or other business ventures. The revenue at this stage goes beyond YouTube ads, incorporating global brand deals, personal projects, and high-impact sponsorships. At this stage, you'll also see big YouTubers create multiple YouTube channels, each account with a specific purpose, but all will turn into yet another source of views, ad revenue, and links back to any merch.
How to Make Money on YouTube
Ad revenue is just one way to earn on YouTube, but savvy creators diversify their income. Here's how:
- Affiliate Marketing: Promote products with unique affiliate links and earn commissions.
- Sponsorships: Partner with brands for paid product mentions or dedicated videos.
- Channel Memberships: Offer subscribers exclusive content for a monthly fee.
- Merchandise Sales: Sell custom products through YouTube’s integrated shopping feature.
- Super Chat and Stickers: Monetize live streams by allowing fans to highlight messages.
- Crowdfunding Platforms: Use third-party apps like Patreon for exclusive content and fan support.
- Courses and E-books: Develop and sell educational content tailored to your audience.
- Reusing Content: Share content on platforms like TikTok or Instagram to reach new audiences and maximize video use.
Mistakes to Avoid on YouTube
Success on YouTube takes more than just posting videos. Here’s what to avoid:
- Inconsistent Uploads: Maintaining a regular schedule keeps viewers engaged and helps with algorithm visibility.
- Ignoring SEO: Proper titles, tags, and descriptions make your content discoverable.
- Lack of Engagement: Interacting with your audience builds loyalty and encourages more views.
- Neglecting Analytics: Use YouTube Analytics to understand what content works best and refine your strategy.
Subscribers vs Views: What’s the Difference?
Subscribers represent your loyal fan base who are notified of your new uploads, while views indicate how many times your content has been watched. Revenue is more closely tied to views and ad interactions than to subscriber count. This means that while having a large subscriber base is beneficial for reach and credibility, views are what generate the income.
Create Your YouTube Videos with Podcastle
Building a sustainable income on YouTube is entirely possible, but it takes time, strategy, and perseverance. That said, don't be discouraged! There are many emerging YouTubers who have made it possible to rely on their YouTube full-time, and you can too!
Whether you’re starting at 1,000 subscribers or have scaled up to millions, maximizing your earnings means diversifying your revenue streams and staying connected with your audience. With dedication and a clear monetization plan, YouTube can be a powerful platform for both creative expression and financial success.
If you’re aiming to grow a sustainable income on YouTube, keeping your audience engaged and elevating your content is key. That’s why Podcastle provides tools that make a difference. Upscale your videos effortlessly, automatically resize to fit any platform, and add seamless blur effects for that polished look. Plus, Podcastle’s library of royalty-free music and sound effects brings atmosphere and energy to every frame, transforming videos into experiences.
