Richest YouTubers in 2025: The Top Earners And How They Make Their Money
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The landscape of YouTube wealth has evolved, with creators earning more than ever by expanding their empires beyond just video views. For 2025, Forbes’ estimates of YouTubers’ earnings (not net worth) show that top creators are pulling in staggering incomes through diversified ventures. Below we break down the highest-paid YouTube creators in 2025, ranked by their annual earnings, and explore how they make their money. From record-breaking stunt videos to kids’ shows and boxing matches, these individuals turned YouTube fame into multi-million dollar businesses.
Top YouTube Earners of 2025 📊
- MrBeast – $85 million: The highest-paid YouTuber of 2025, thanks to viral stunts and booming product lines.
- Dhar Mann – $56 million: Inspirational filmmaker who built a content studio empire on YouTube.
- Jake Paul – $50 million: Controversial vlogger-turned-boxer cashing in on pay-per-view fights and promotions.
- Rhett & Link – $36 million: Veteran comedy duo (Good Mythical Morning) expanding their YouTube brand into a full production company.
- Ryan Kaji – $35 million: Kid influencer behind Ryan’s World, still earning big from toys and licensing deals.
- Markiplier – $32 million: Gaming superstar known for Let’s Plays, branching into podcasts, merch, and even a feature film.
- Mark Rober – $25 million: Ex-NASA engineer making millions with science videos and a STEM subscription kit business.
- Ms. Rachel – $23 million: Preschool educator on YouTube (Songs for Littles) adored by parents, turning toddler tunes into a fortune.
- Rebecca Zamolo – $22 million: Family-friendly vlogger famous for her Game Master series, leveraging brand partnerships and a mobile app.
- IShowSpeed – $20 million: Live-streaming sensation known for over-the-top antics and music hits, parlaying his massive teen audience into major earnings.
(Note: Earnings are estimates for 2025 from Forbes, representing roughly April 2024 to April 2025, 12‑month window income. Only individual YouTube creators are included – no media companies or group channels.)
10) IShowSpeed (Darren Watkins Jr.) — $20M (Forbes)
Explosive IRL streams, music virality, and meme‑culture dominance make Speed one of 2025’s richest YouTube creators, with live monetization that rivals traditional uploads.
- Live‑stream ads, Super Chats, and direct fan tips
- Brand collabs + music royalties from viral tracks
- Merch and paid appearances/events
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9) Rebecca Zamolo — $22M (Forbes)
The Game Master universe, challenges, and family‑friendly storytelling keep the “ZamFam” engaged across channels and apps, converting fandom into diversified creator income.
- AdSense from narrative challenges and multi‑channel posting
- Sponsored integrations (kids/family brands)
- Game Master Network app, books, and branded merch
8) Ms. Rachel (Songs for Littles) — $23M (Forbes)
Beloved by parents, Ms. Rachel’s preschool songs and speech‑friendly lessons produce staggering watch‑time in a trusted niche, driving family‑safe YouTube earnings 2025.
- Kids content AdSense at scale (evergreen viewing)
- Merch, books, and character‑based products
- Live family shows + platform distribution deals
7) Mark Rober — $25M (Forbes)
The ex‑NASA engineer turns monthly, blockbuster science videos into mainstream cultural moments and STEM commerce, cementing him among richest YouTubers 2025 without daily uploads.
- High‑retention, brand‑safe AdSense + premium sponsors
- CrunchLabs subscription kits and educational products
- TV specials, speaking, and licensing of science IP
6) Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) — $32M (Forbes)
A gaming juggernaut whose loyal community powers premium CPMs, sell‑out merch, and expansions into film and chart‑topping podcasts—prime evidence of durable YouTuber income 2025 beyond ads.
- Ads + sponsorships across gaming, sketches, interactive series
- Merch + CLOAK apparel brand and limited drops
- Podcasts, live events, and film projects
5) Ryan Kaji (Ryan’s World) — $35M (Forbes)
The kids’ entertainment empire thrives as Ryan matures—educational skits and family vlogs drive views while retail shelves move licensed products, keeping him a top YouTube earner even in a stricter kids‑ads era.
- Massive retail licensing (toys, apparel, accessories)
- High‑volume kids content ad revenue and sponsored videos
- TV/streaming adaptations and publishing
Ryan Kaji Net Worth 2025 & The Rise of Ryan’s World: Everything You Need to Know
4) Rhett & Link (Mythical) — $36M (Forbes)
Veteran hosts of Good Mythical Morning turned daily comedy into a multi‑show Mythical network, memberships, and commerce—textbook E‑E‑A‑T for richest YouTube creators built on consistency.
- AdSense across GMM, Mythical Kitchen, podcasts
- Paid memberships (Mythical Society) + robust merchandise
- Studio expansion and IP
3) Jake Paul — $50M (Forbes)
The vlogger‑turned‑boxer monetizes spectacle: PPV fight economics, promos, and constant hype loops back into massive channel interest, fueling YouTube earnings 2025 that rank near the top.
- Boxing purses + PPV revenue share and promotion fees
- Sponsorships (betting, beverages, lifestyle) tied to fight cycles
- YouTube ads, hype content, and evergreen merch
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2) Dhar Mann — $56M (Forbes)
The inspirational storyteller converted short, scripted morality plays into a full studio system, posting across YouTube and socials at industrial scale. Family‑friendly themes attract premium sponsors and consistent views—making him one of the richest YouTubers in 2025.
- High‑volume AdSense from serialized mini‑dramas
- Brand integrations tailored to positive, family content
- Studio IP, catalog monetization, and ancillary products
1) MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) — $85M (Forbes)
Jimmy Donaldson, famously known as MrBeast, is the reigning king of YouTube. His philanthropic challenges—like giving away cars and houses—and record-breaking stunts helped him become the platform’s top-subscribed individual creator. The most watched individual on YouTube continues to top earnings through massive video ad revenue, sponsorships, and a growing product stack like Feastables. MrBeast also launched a Prime Video competition series, expanding the brand beyond YouTube. Still the benchmark for highest‑paid YouTubers 2025, MrBeast’s stunt‑driven, giveaway‑heavy videos dominate global watch time while his off‑platform brands turn attention into outsized YouTuber income 2025. His Amazon reality show and retail scale keep him atop the list of top YouTube earners.
- Ad & sponsorship flywheel from viral challenge videos
- Consumer brands: Feastables, retail partnerships, limited drops
- Merchandise + licensing + platform/series deals
Why These YouTubers Rank Among the Richest
The richest YouTubers of 2025 have proven that online fame can translate into very real fortunes. This updated list – led by creators like MrBeast and Dhar Mann – underscores a few key trends. First, YouTube earnings are higher than ever (the top 50 creators earned over $850 million collectively in the last year!), thanks to the booming creator economy. Finally, the diversity of this top 10 is striking. It’s not just pranksters or gamers – we have educators, filmmakers, athletes, kids, and comedians. There’s no single path to becoming the highest-paid YouTube creator. What they all share is an entrepreneurial spirit. They treat content creation as more than a hobby – it’s a business, and they are constantly expanding their brand.
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FAQ
1. Who is the highest‑paid YouTuber in 2025 and how much did they earn?
MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) ranks #1 among the highest‑paid YouTubers 2025 with an estimated $85 million in earnings, driven by viral stunt content, premium sponsorships, and consumer brands that extend far beyond AdSense (Forbes).
2. What are the top 10 richest YouTube creators in 2025 by annual earnings?
MrBeast ($85M), Dhar Mann ($56M), Jake Paul ($50M), Rhett & Link ($36M), Ryan Kaji ($35M), Markiplier ($32M), Mark Rober ($25M), Ms. Rachel ($23M), Rebecca Zamolo ($22M), IShowSpeed ($20M) — each a top YouTube earner with diversified revenue stacks (Forbes).
3. How is “richest YouTuber” defined—net worth vs. yearly income for 2025 rankings?
This list uses yearly earnings (pre‑tax), not net worth. Earnings reflect roughly a 12‑month period in 2025 and include AdSense, brand deals, merch/CPG, live events, licensing, and platform projects; net worth (assets minus liabilities) is a different metric (Forbes).
4. How does Forbes calculate creator earnings for the highest‑paid list?
Forbes compiles pre‑tax, gross income over the prior year using interviews, public filings, platform analytics, and industry reporting. It includes YouTube ads, sponsorships, product lines, subscriptions, appearances, and media deals tied to each creator’s business (Forbes).
5. What revenue streams drive top YouTube earners in 2025?
The dominant YouTuber income 2025 stack:
(a) AdSense from long‑form, shorts, and live streams; (b) Brand sponsorships and long‑term partnerships; (c) Owned products/merch/CPG (e.g., Feastables, STEM kits); (d) Licensing, subscriptions, tours/PPV and off‑platform media (Forbes).
6. Which niches dominate richest YouTube creators in 2025?
High‑earning niches include stunts/variety (MrBeast), scripted shorts (Dhar Mann), boxing/sports entertainment (Jake Paul), kids/family edutainment (Ryan Kaji, Ms. Rachel, Rebecca Zamolo), gaming (Markiplier), science/education (Mark Rober), and livestream entertainment (IShowSpeed) (Forbes).
7. Who is the highest‑paid female YouTuber in 2025?
Ms. Rachel leads with about $23 million in 2025 earnings, followed by Rebecca Zamolo at $22 million, reflecting strong demand for family and preschool content within the richest YouTube creators cohort (Forbes).
8. Who is the youngest creator among the richest YouTube creators in 2025?
Ryan Kaji (Ryan’s World) is the youngest top YouTube earner, generating about $35 million through licensing, retail toys/apparel, TV/streaming extensions, and kid‑safe AdSense (Forbes).
9. Can a creator with fewer views still rank among the biggest YouTube salaries in 2025—and how?
Yes. Creators with high‑value off‑platform revenue (e.g., PPV boxing purses, consumer packaged goods, subscriptions) can out‑earn channels with more views but weaker monetization — a key trend in richest YouTube creators rankings (Forbes).
10. How often is the “richest YouTubers” list updated and what could change the rankings?
It’s generally updated annually (and revisited after major deals). Rankings can shift with viral growth, product launches, blockbuster sponsorships, tours/PPV events, platform changes, or new media contracts that alter total YouTuber income 2025 (Forbes).
Sources
- Forbes — Top Creators 2025 overview and rankings: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenbertoni/2025/06/16/forbes-top-creators-2025/
- Forbes Profiles (earnings as listed June 2025):
Disclosure: This list is intended as an informational resource and is based on independent research and publicly available information. It does not imply that these businesses are the absolute best in their category. Learn more here.
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