These are the top 10 highest paid YouTubers in the world
There are major economic rewards for YouTubers who can garner a large following. Here are the personalities that are currently at the top of their game.
There are major economic rewards for YouTubers who can connect with the public through the social media platform and garner a large following. The video-sharing site can be a steppingstone into other business areas as well from developing their own fashion brands to professional recording artists, some have even jumped into the boxing ring.
According to Forbes, in 2021 the highest-paid YouTubers collectively raked in around $300 million. That was a 40 percent increase from the year before, and their revenue continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
Insider Monkey compiled a list of the wealthiest YouTubers, whose primary source of income is from the platform. The ranking is based on how many subscribers they have as this metric translates into more advertising income and revenue from Premium membership fees.
These are the top 10 highest paid YouTubers in the world
These are the YouTubers with the most subscribers in 2023. When available the content creator’s income is listed, with the most recent data from 2021 from Forbes.
| YouTuber | Subscribers in millions: | Income in 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Mr Beast | 181 | $54 million |
| 2. PewDiePie | 111 | NA |
| 3. Like Nastya | 107 | $28 million |
| 4. Dude Perfect | 59.6 | $20 million |
| 5. Markiplier | 35.5 | $38 million |
| 6. Daniel Midleton | 27.6 | NA |
| 7. Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox | 26.2 | NA |
| 8. Evan Fong | 25.8 | NA |
| 9. Preston Arsement | 24.8m | $16 millio |
| 10. Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji (KSI) | 24.1m | NA |
#1 Mr Beast
His real name is Jimmy Donaldson and with over 180 million subscribers ‘Mr Beast’ has the most subscribers in the world. The creator of videos involving elaborate challenges and stunts saw his income nearly double between 2020 and 2021.
#2 PewDiePie
In 2013, PewDiePie became the most-subscribed channel on YouTube, he now has 111 million subscribers. The four following years his content was the most viewed. The Swedish YouTuber is know for creating comedic content and Let’s Play videos.
#3 Like Nastya
Since getting her start in 2016, Anastasia Sergeyevna Radzinskaya, who goes by Like Nastya, has become the most popular child star on YouTube. Now at nine years old her income was estimated to be $28 million in 2021. She has 107 million subscribers and her videos have been watched tens of billions of times.
#4 Dude Perfect
Run by a five ‘dudes’ based in Texas who started with a camera and a friendly bet, Dude Perfect “has grown into a global phenomenon.” Its creators post videos of their antics which have attracted a following of nearly 60 million subscribers.
#5 Markiplier
YouTuber Mark Edward Fischbach, who goes by the name Markiplier, has over 35 million followers. In 2021 he is estimated to have earned $38 million, through ventures beyond just YouTube. He also has a clothing line, has directed films and hosts a successful podcast.