These days, you don't need a degree to earn a fortune. Neither do you need a job contract. As an ever-growing number of bright young things are showing, the best way to add some zeros to increase your bank balance is to get a good internet connection, a powerful webcam, and, if all goes to plan, a very big audience.
YouTube is a platform where users can find videos about anything you can think of! From music videos to video game commentator videos, the possibilities are endless. And with those videos comes the possibility for the video creators to make money when videos are posted and a way to begin their YouTube career.
Since YouTube launched in 2005, countless YouTube stars have started monetizing their videos and making a fortune in the process. These YouTube Videos allow for the creators to begin their YouTube Career by creating a YouTube Channel. The YouTube channel allows for the creator to upload all of their videos under one platform and manage them as they do any other social media outlet.
The Youtube channel also lets customers go directly to the channel page and find the videos that are most interesting to them. Customers can then also be subscribed to the channel which allows them to receive any notifications when a new video is added to the Youtube channel.
How They Began
So many of the highest-paid YouTube stars started by creating videos that came easily to them, such as makeup tutorials or children playing games. Additionally, there are so many gaming commentary videos, as well as Guinness World Record videos, which are all things that people can do from the comfort of their home.
All that to say, are you wondering who is the richest YouTuber? We rounded up 20 of the richest YouTubers in 2022. Read on to see if your favorite YouTube star is one of the richest YouTubers in the world.
20. Emma Chamberlain Net Worth - $12 million
Sliding in at number 20 with a net worth of $12 million is Emma Chamberlain, a vlogger and social media personality who's amassed over 11.3 million subscribers and over 1.5 billion views on YouTube. She started her YouTube channel, a bright and breezy combo of fashion, makeup, travel, and food, back in 2016, posting her first video the following year.
Her popularity grew exponentially within a very short time, drawing the attention of sponsors like the shopping app Dote, eyewear brand Crapeyewear, and Louis Vuitton Cruise.
On top of her work on YouTube, she's also raking in the dough with a podcast, a mail-order coffee business called Chamberlain Coffee, and her own fashion line. Although she began her journey when she posted makeup tutorials, the doors were quickly opened for her to become much more than a YouTube star.
19. Roman Atwood Net Worth - $14.5 million
38-year-old Roman Atwood first started attracting attention in 2009 with a YouTube channel where he posted prank videos. One of his most viewed videos was posted in 2017. To continue his history of posting prank videos, Ryan filled his house with plastic balls and essentially turned it into a giant ball pit. Not only did this video gain over 85 million views, but Roman got a brand new Nissan GTR to use in one of his prank videos.
In 2013, he launched another channel, Roman Atwood Vlogs, which has so far racked up over 15.5 million subscribers and over 5.4 billion views. Outside of YouTube, he's produced a DVD series called The Nerd Herd, helped launch a reality prank show with Howie and Alex Mandel, founded a clothing line called Smile More, and is currently making his first feature film. The sum total of all his endeavors is a whopping net worth of $14.5 million.
18. JJ Olatunji (AKA KSI) Net Worth - $15 million
In at number 18 with a net worth of $15 million is KSI. The YouTube gamer, rapper, and boxer was born Olajide William "JJ" Olatunji in Hertfordshire, England in June 1993. In 2008, he created his first YouTube account under the name JideJuniorm, swiftly followed a year later with a new channel under the moniker KSI. The name stuck, the viewers started pouring in, and today, his channel has around 23.7 million subscribers and over 5.8 billion views.
Off the back of his success on YouTube, KSI has released several studio albums and hit singles, written two books, launched several companies, and created a series of video games. He's also developed a major beef with fellow YouTuber Logan Paul, which has so far resulted in two live-streamed boxing matches and an extra $5 million in his bank account.
On his YouTube Channel, KSI has a music video for his song "Lamborghini" with over 108 million views on this one video alone. Although he has definitely made a music career for himself, initiating with a YouTube Channel has been beneficial to him in more ways than on.
17. Stevin John (AKA Blippi) Net Worth - $16 million
After leaving the United States Air Force, Stevin John decided to embark on a new career with Blippi, a character he invented to star in his fun, educational videos for kids. What makes Blippi stand out is the diversity among all of his videos. He has videos where he teaches basic things like letters of the alphabet as well as numbers, or videos where he travels all over the country.
In these videos he films himself in places such as baseball stadiums or museums to show children all the features available in such places. Additionally, when he travels to places like restaurants or ice cream shops, he goes behind the scenes and shows children how to make things like meals or certain ice creams.
Both Blippi and the videos proved a massive success, and in 2020, Moonbug Entertainment purchased the channel and helped Stevin reach an even bigger worldwide audience. Today, the channel is available in multiple languages and has over 15.2 million subscribers, leaving Stevin sitting pretty on a net worth of $16 million.
16. Sean McLoughlin (AKA Jacksepticeye) Net Worth - $16 million
Irish YouTube personality Jacksepticeye's first taste of showbiz came in a band called Raised to the Ground. When that didn't work out, he swapped music for a YouTube channel and started raking in the millions with his vlogs and posts about video games. His YouTube channel has over 15 billion views and it is also the most subscribed channel in Ireland.
These days, he has over 21 million subscribers and earns a reported $300,000 per month on average. According to Celebrity Net Worth, he's currently worth a mammoth $16 million.
15. David Dobrik Net Worth - $17 million
Social media personality and vlogger David Dobrik's rise to fame and fortune began in his teens when he started attracting interest on Vine. At 18, he launched his first YouTube channel, which has since amassed around 8.3 million subscribers and over 7 billion views.
He also has a second highly successful YouTube channel, along with a massively popular presence on TikTok. YouTube channels are definitely one way to increase your bank account but when they are combined with other social media platforms, the possibilities to increase revenue are endless. The combined number of followers across all his social media platforms is over 45 million... which, together with his other business endeavors, explains his phenomenal net worth of $20 million.
14. Anastasia Radzinskaya (AKA Like Nastya) Net Worth - $18 million
Who knew that posting pictures of yourself playing with your dad and cuddling kittens could make so much money? Like Nastya apparently, an eight-year-old Russian girl who, in just a couple of years, has managed to become one of the biggest children's YouTubers in the world. She now has over 110 million subscribers across her six channels with over 42 billion views.
The Like Nastya YouTube channel is one of a kind and her videos are quite attractive to children of all ages. Her videos range from playing with her toys to pretending to having a hot dog stand. What makes her most attractive to children is the different hair accessories she wears and her extravagant outfits. Additionally, Like Nastya has her own channel on platforms like Roku TV which makes it finding her content much easier for children and their parents.
Like Nastya (or Anastasia, as her parents call her), was born with cerebral palsy. Her parents began making the videos as a way of keeping family and friends updated about her progress, but in 2017, they signed with Yoolato to monetize their content. It paid off - Radzinskaya is now worth a massive $20 million.
13. Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal Net Worth - $19 million
Best known as the comedy duo Rhett and Link, Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal have been friends since elementary school. Their content consists of comedy videos and is one of the biggest YouTube Channels.
As kids, they stuck together in detention after decorating their desks with swear words; as college students, they were roommates; and as adults, they've carved out a combined $20 million fortune thanks to YouTube shows like Good Mythical Morning, which currently has around 17.5 million subscribers and over 7.8 billion views.
While most of their income comes from endorsem*nt deals and advertising, they also earn a sizeable chunk from their fan club, which charges members $10-20 per month to access exclusive content. Who knew that doing things with your best friend such as being caught writing swear words would results in a lifelong friendship that would eventually turn you both into millionaires.
12. Lilly Singh Net Worth - $20 million
Lilly Singh has said that she started making videos for YouTube as a way of dealing with her mental health struggles. Not only did it help with that score, but it also made her an incredibly rich woman.
Since she launched her first YouTube channel in 2010, her comedy sketches have pulled in around 17 million subscribers and paved the way to a career in traditional media, which so far has included the NBC talk show A Little Late with Lilly Singh and multiple acting roles.
Her YouTube videos consist of comedy which usually includes other YouTube stars or even celebrities. She's also written a book, How to Be a Bawse: A Guide to Conquering Life, which reached the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list. She's now worth around $20 million.
11. Preston Arsem*nt Net Worth - $21 million
At just 28 years old, Preston Arsem*nt has already amassed a giant fortune of $20 million through social media. Since launching TBNRfrags in 2010 and his second channel PrestonPlayz in 2012, he's attracted over 13 million followers with his Minecraft, Fortnite, Call of Duty, and general video game content.
His brother, sister, and cousin also have YouTube channels, as does his wife Brianna, but so far, he's heads and shoulders above the rest of his family when it comes to revenue. Preston Arsem*nt has also made it on to Forbes magazine for being one of the highest paid YouTube stars in 2022.
10. James Charles Net Worth - $22 million
You can make a lot of money on YouTube, but you can make even more if you spread your talents around multiple social media sites. Just ask James Charles, whose huge popularity across YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms have made him a millionaire multiple times over.
While working as a local makeup artist at his local city, James Charles decided he would share his talent with the world. It all started back in 2015 when he began posting makeup tutorials. Within a year, he'd been signed as CoverGirl's first-ever male brand ambassador. A clothing line and make-up collection followed soon after, as did a $22 million fortune. YouTube videos about make-up have become increasingly popular, too.
9. Evan Fong Net Worth - $25 million
Evan Fong is the brains behind VanossGaming, a gaming video content YouTube channel he launched in 2011 and which now has over 21 million subscribers and more than eight billion views. The channel proved so successful so quickly, Fong abandoned his degree in economics and devoted himself to producing YouTube content full time.
The move paid off, with the channel serving as a launchpad for a career that has seen him star in the computer-animated series Paranormal Action Squad and Alpha Betas, as well as serve as creative director on the game Dead Realm. He's currently estimated to be worth $25 million.
8. Daniel Middleton Net Worth - $35 million
British-born YouTube star Daniel Middleton has made his millions from his video game-focused YouTube channel DanTDM, which has amassed over 10 billion views and 16 million subscribers.
In addition to accruing a giant $35 million net worth, he's also set numerous Guinness World Records (including ones for "Most views for a dedicated Minecraft video channel", "Most goals scored in a game of Rocket League for a team of 2", and "Most goals scored in a game of Rocket League (team of three)"), published a bestselling graphic novel, and launched a line of merchandise.
7. Mark Fischbach (AKA Markiplier) Net Worth - $35 million
What do you get when you combine one of the Top 100 most subscribed YouTube channels with a successful career as an actor, writer, producer, and director? A $35 million dollar fortune. Since rising to fame with his "Let's Play" gameplay commentary videos, Mark Fischbach (AKA Markiplier) has become one of the best-known and richest stars on YouTube. He's also one of the most philanthropic, regularly raising huge amounts for charity.
6. Felix Kjellberg (AKA PewDiePie) Net Worth - $40 million
So committed to making a career on YouTube was PewDiePie back in the early 2010s, he even left his native Sweden for the UK to get better internet connectivity. The move paid off: his channel is regularly one of the most subscribed channels on YouTube, and today boasts around 111 million subscribers and over 28.2 billion views.
Despite some setbacks along the way (in 2017, his YouTube Red show was canceled after some of the content was alleged to be antisemitic), he's still managed to rack up the very significant net worth of $40 million.
5. Jake Paul Net Worth - $45 million
According to sources, Jake Paul earns between $20 million to $40 million every year, before taxes. Conservative estimates of his total net worth come in at around $60 million. He started creating content back in 2013 at the age of 16, and quickly landed a role in Bizaardvark.
The job didn't last (he was fired for creating a public nuisance), but the YouTube channel did, with his main channel now boasting over 20.4 million subscribers and over 7.1 billion views.
4. Logan Paul Net Worth - $100 million
He might not be quite as rich as his little brother Jake, but considering he still has a net worth of $100 million, don't waste too much sympathy on Logan Paul.
In addition to earning a fortune through his YouTube channel (which currently boasts over 23 million followers), Logan also keeps himself in champagne and caviar thanks to his massively successful merchandise company and his boxing career, which added $5.25 million to his bank balance when he fought against Floyd Mayweather.
3. Ryan Kaji Net Worth - $110 million
You don't come across a ten-year-old with a $110 million fortune that often, but Ryan Kaji is singlehandedly proving that age is no barrier to a massive bank balance. Back in 2015, Ryan (who was just three at the time) convinced his mother to quit her teaching job and focus on turning him into a YouTube sensation. The plan worked, and Ryan's toy reviews on Ryan's world have now attracted over 2 million subscribers and over 50.7 billion views.
Ryan's review and play videos on the channel Ryan's world are extremely attractive to young children also so it should come as no surprise that he has many sponsors. If there is a new toy out on the market, you can be sure that on his YouTube channel Ryan's world, you may find a review. Aside from having a YouTube channel, Ryan's world also has his own channel that can be downloaded on platforms like Roku TV, which makes him more accessible to different audiences.
In addition to the revenue generated by his channel Ryan's World, Ryan is also pulling in a fortune from his line of toys, merchandise, bedroom decor, and clothing. His celebrity status was confirmed in 2020 when his superhero alter-ego was used as the inspiration for a float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He has to be the youngest millionaire.
2. Jeffree Star Net Worth - $200 million
The wealthiest YouTuber on the planet by a very clean mile (and a very long while) is, of course, Jeffree Star. He has over 2.5 billion views on YouTube and that is not the only way he makes his millions. Since launching his first YouTube channel back in 2006, Starr has had a fling with pop stardom, starred in two documentary web series, started, ended, and reignited too many celebrity feuds to count, amassed over 16 million subscribers, and launched a beauty brand (Jeffree Star Cosmetics) that has turned him into the proud owner of a $200 million net worth. Recording YouTube videos literally turned him into a millionaire.
While recording makeup videos has definitely helped him reach his millionaire status, Jeffree Star's other endeavours have definitely contributed to that as well. Not only are his videos about makeup tutorials only, but Jeffree also creates videos to review other makeup brands.
His opinion is highly valued by his followers so these videos are important to continue to grow his audience. Additionally, he has such committed followers on YouTube and his other social media accounts that they also enjoy watching the videos he makes of his every day doings.
1. Jimmy Donaldson (AKA MrBeast) - $500 million
A YouTube star who can afford to give away $1 million in a single video is either very rich or very generous. Jimmy Donaldson (aka MrBeast) happens to be both. Since launching his YouTube career in 2012 at the age of 13, he's become one of the biggest YouTubers in the world, operating multiple channels that collectively boast over 60 million subscribers and over 22.5 billion views.
As well known for his philanthropic stunts as his pranks, he's achieved some significant stats over the years, including raising $20 million to plant 20 million trees and helping to rehome every dog in a dog rescue shelter. He has an estimated net worth of $500 million.
Final Thoughts
YouTube channels are a popular thing to make these days, but only a few make their fortune this way. While there seems to be a certain type of video that is generating the most profit, anybody can have their own YouTube channel and begin to make money by posting videos. It definitely takes some time to grow your audience but it isn't something that is impossible!
There are YouTubers in the world who started posting videos before social media was as big as it is now. There are also so many different ways on social media to target videos to certain audiences and with the right support, anybody can launch their YouTube Channel. With so much content available out there, there are sure to be tutorials on how to become one of the highest paid YouTubers in the world.
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