The Richest YouTubers In 2023 (2024)

Not long ago, nobody would have imagined that they could become a millionaire by making videos and uploading them on YouTube – but it has become a well known and accessible path to fame and fortune for a new crop of stars. YouTube is no longer a platform that only provides entertainment – it has also become a source of wealth for individuals from a multitude of backgrounds.

Join us as we take a look at the richest YouTubers in 2023, how they made it big on the platform, and how well they've done to date.

10 DanTDM: $35 Million

DanTDM, known off-screen as Daniel Middleton, hails from the United Kingdom. He has gained fame as a gamer and YouTuber who predominantly focuses on Minecraft gameplay.

With a subscriber count exceeding 25 million and well over 18 billion views to his credit, DanTDM earns his income through advertising revenue, merchandise sales, sponsorships and book releases. Additionally noteworthy is his Guinness World Record for achieving the most views on a Minecraft channel.

DanTDM's talent has garnered him accolades, including two Kids' Choice Awards. Initially launching his gaming channel under the name "TheDiamondMinecart" back in 2012 (before transitioning to "TheDiamondMinecart DanTDM") he eventually settled on DanTDM in December 2016.

While he primarily caters to children with his content, it's worth mentioning that teenagers and adults also form a portion of his viewership.

9 Ninja: $40 Million

Richard Tyler Blevins, popularly known as Ninja, gained fame as a gamer and streamer through his skill with the widely acclaimed "battle royale" game Fortnite. Ninja has a subscriber count of over 24 million on YouTube and a massive following of 16 million on Twitch.

He has collaborated with brands such as Adidas, Red Bull, and Uber Eats, further has delved into writing a book series, and even launched a line of toys. Ninja's rise to prominence, coincided with the popularity of Fortnite Battle Royale.

As the game gained traction in 2017 and early 2018, so did Ninja's viewership on Twitch; in fact, he became the first Twitch streamer to amass over three million followers on the platform in March 2018.

8 Jake Paul: $40 Million

Jake Paul, a known figure in the world of media, has gained a significant following since his early days on Vine. Born on January 17, 1977, in Cleveland, Ohio, he has amassed than 20 million subscribers and an impressive seven billion views on YouTube.

His earnings come from sources such as ad revenue, merchandise sales, sponsorships, and even boxing matches. Notably he has faced off against Deji (the brother of YouTuber KSI), former NBA player Nate Robinson and former UFC fighter Ben Askren in the ring.

It's worth mentioning that Jake Paul's brother Logan is also a YouTuber and boxer. Additionally, Jake Paul is the founder of Team 10 – an assemblage of social media personalities.

7 Markiplier: $45 Million

Markiplier (also known by his real name, Mark Fischbach) is a gamer and YouTube sensation who specializes in playing horror games. With a subscriber count exceeding 29 million (and over 16 billion views under his belt), Markiplier enjoys significant success on the platform.

In terms of income streams, Markiplier relies on ad revenue from his videos, merchandise sales, sponsorships from brands wanting to collaborate with him – a testament to his influence — and even hosts live tours to engage with his dedicated fan base.

Beyond gaming content creation, Markiplier has explored creative avenues including acting, voice acting, music production, and philanthropy. Markiplier has also dedicated his time to successfully raising millions of dollars for various organizations – including the Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, and the Best Friends Animal Society.

His efforts have earned him four Streamy Awards, and a Golden Joystick Award in the category of "Best Streamer/Broadcaster."

6 Dude Perfect: $50 Million

Dude Perfect is a tight-knit group of five friends who showcase their talent and engage in successive daring challenges on YouTube. They boast 57 million subscribers and a staggering 13 billion views on their channel.

They're famous for their collaborations with celebrities and athletes, their astonishing tricks, and occasional interesting sports clashes. Their sources of revenue consist of advertising income, merchandise sales, sponsorships, and successful live events.

Not satisfied with simply being internet sensations, these dudes have smashed through limits by expanding their empire beyond the digital realm. They've transformed themselves into more than just YouTubers; they're now a hot shot media company that knows how to leverage their lucrative connections.

5 Rhett & Link: $60 Million

Rhett James McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln are a comedy duo who fascinate audiences with their popular talk show (called Good Mythical Morning) that is available to watch on YouTube. They have 17 million subscribers and seven billion views on YouTube.

Rhett & Link make money through various income streams such as advertisem*nts, merchandise sales, sponsorships, and engaging podcasts. Going beyond content creation, they have also established Mythical Entertainment as their very own production company that creates shows and podcasts, and together have authored two books.

Regarded for their content for every age, they're primarily known for incorporating religion based values into their work – in addition to actively taking part in charitable endeavors. They've generously contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to charitable corporations, consisting of the Make A Wish Foundation, Compassion International, and the Red Cross.

4 PewDiePie: $60 Million

The multi-millionaire maverick, here we have Felix Kjellberg – or as he's better known in the virtual realm, PewDiePie. This Swedish sensation has raked in a jaw-dropping $60 million ... even Scrooge McDuck would be envious of this YouTube luminary.

Just how popular is PewDiePie? Brace yourself, because it's mind-blowing – he boasts over 110 million loyal subscribers, and a staggering 28 billion views! Kjellberg's YouTube success came largely from leaning into social media mastery – monetizing becomes second nature when ascendancy rides shotgun alongside creativity.

Platforms such as YouTube pad his bank account quite nicely. He also makes money through various sources such as advertisem*nts, merchandise sales, and sponsorships.

3 Ryan Kaji: $100 Million

Ryan Kaji is only nine years old, and he is the youngest person on this list. Ryan became famous by making videos where he plays with toys and games and talks about them.

He's got 30 million subscribers and has been viewed a massive 50 billion times, attributing much of his wealth to his popular YouTube channel. However, Kaji manages to maintain various other sources of income, such as merchandise sales, appearances on television (including his own show), and involvement in diverse business ventures.

2 MrBeast: $120 Million

Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, is a well-known YouTuber who does some pretty cool and entertaining content – while also giving stuff away to his avid base of fans. He's got a massive 80 million subscribers on YouTube and an incredible 14 billion views.

Sponsorships, ad revenue, merchandise, and other off-screen businesses all add up to rank MrBeast in the number two spot. He has also ventured into the world of virtual restaurants with MrBeast Burger chain that delivers mouthwatering burgers to customers across several countries including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Additionally, MrBeast has made contributions to causes through his admirable initiatives, like Team Trees and Team Seas. These campaigns are dedicated to planting 20 million trees and removing 30 million pounds of trash from our oceans respectively.

1 Jeffree Star: $200 Million

Jeffree Star is a longtime celebrity on the internet, who does makeup tutorials and has his own makeup brand (called Jeffree Star Cosmetics). With a whopping 16 million subscribers and over two billion views on YouTube, Star is definitely a star.

And he knows how to rake in the big bucks in more ways than one. He makes bank from ad revenue, as well as Jeffree Star themed merchandise for his fans and makeup mavens – and his full line of cosmetics is an entirely separate stream of revenue.

The YouTube game has morphed into a gold mine for those who've tapped into their inner creative geniuses and talent to gather enormous followings. Superstars like DanTDM, Rhett and Link, and Jeffree Star have not only snagged millions upon millions of loyal subscribers and billions of views; they've also cashed in through ad revenue, soaring merchandise sales, and no end of sponsorships.