Top 10 Highest Earning YouTubers in 2026: Complete Ranking & Analysis

Top 10 Highest Earning YouTubers in 2026: Complete Ranking & Analysis

Have you ever wondered who the highest earning YouTubers are? In 2026, YouTube creators are making more money than ever before, with top earners generating millions of dollars annually from ad revenue, brand deals, merchandise, and other income streams.

In this comprehensive analysis, we've compiled data on the top 10 highest earning YouTubers in 2026, including their estimated earnings, subscriber counts, and how they've built their revenue streams. Whether you're curious about your favorite creator's income or looking for inspiration for your own channel, this ranking provides valuable insights into the creator economy.

Note: All earnings are estimates based on public data, view counts, and industry-standard RPM rates. Actual earnings may vary and often include private deals, sponsorships, and other revenue sources not publicly disclosed.

Understanding YouTube Earnings in 2026

Before diving into the rankings, it's important to understand how YouTubers make money. In 2026, creator income typically comes from:

• Ad Revenue (45-55% of total income): Earnings from YouTube's Partner Program based on views, RPM rates, and ad formats


• Brand Deals & Sponsorships (25-35%): Paid partnerships with companies for product placements and sponsored content


• Merchandise Sales (10-15%): Revenue from branded products, apparel, and accessories


• Channel Memberships & Super Chat (5-10%): Direct fan support through memberships and live stream donations


• Other Revenue Sources (5-10%): Affiliate marketing, book deals, speaking engagements, investments

The creators on this list have mastered multiple revenue streams, allowing them to earn significantly more than ad revenue alone would provide.

Top 10 Highest Earning YouTubers in 2026

1. MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) - Estimated $100-150M Annually

How MrBeast Makes Money:

MrBeast is widely recognized as the highest earning YouTuber in 2026, with estimated annual earnings between $100-150 million. His revenue strategy includes:

• Ad Revenue: Estimated $50-70 million from YouTube ads (high view counts × premium RPM rates)


• Brand Deals: Massive sponsorships with major brands like Honey, Ridge Wallet, and Shopify ($30-50 million annually)


• Merchandise: MrBeast Burger, Feastables chocolate bars, and branded merchandise ($20-30 million annually)


• Business Ventures: Investments in other creator businesses and media companies

Key to Success: MrBeast's massive production budgets (often $1M+ per video) create viral content that generates billions of views, allowing him to command premium ad rates and sponsorship deals.

→ Calculate MrBeast's Estimated Earnings

2. Like Nastya (Anastasia Radzinskaya) - Estimated $30-50M Annually

How Like Nastya Makes Money:

• Ad Revenue: $15-25 million (massive view counts from global audience)


• Brand Partnerships: Toy brands, educational companies ($10-15 million)


• Licensing & Merchandise: Branded products and character licensing ($5-10 million)

Key to Success: Family-friendly content with global appeal, particularly strong in kids' demographics which command premium ad rates.

3. PewDiePie (Felix Kjellberg) - Estimated $25-40M Annually

How PewDiePie Makes Money:

• Ad Revenue: $10-15 million (premium RPM from global audience)


• Brand Deals: Gaming brands, tech companies ($8-12 million)


• Merchandise: Extensive branded merchandise line ($5-10 million)


• Other Ventures: Book deals, investments, streaming platform revenue ($2-3 million)

Key to Success: One of YouTube's most established creators with a loyal fanbase, commanding premium rates despite lower upload frequency.

→ Calculate PewDiePie's Estimated Earnings

4. Ryan's World (Ryan Kaji) - Estimated $25-35M Annually

How Ryan's World Makes Money:

• Ad Revenue: $12-18 million


• Brand Partnerships: Massive toy brand deals and licensing ($10-12 million)


• Product Line: Ryan's World toys sold at major retailers ($3-5 million)

Key to Success: Successful transition from YouTube to retail, creating a multi-million dollar brand beyond just YouTube ad revenue.

5. Dude Perfect - Estimated $20-30M Annually

How Dude Perfect Makes Money:

• Ad Revenue: $8-12 million


• Brand Partnerships: Major sports and entertainment brands ($10-15 million)


• Merchandise & Tours: Branded products and live shows ($2-3 million)

Key to Success: High-quality, family-friendly content that appeals to both kids and adults, making them attractive to major brand sponsors.

6. Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) - Estimated $20-30M Annually

How Markiplier Makes Money:

• Ad Revenue: $7-10 million


• Brand Deals: Gaming and tech sponsorships ($8-12 million)


• Merchandise: Clothing and accessories ($3-5 million)


• Other Ventures: Production company, investments ($2-3 million)

Key to Success: Consistent upload schedule, engaged community, and successful expansion into production and business ventures.

7. Rhett & Link (Good Mythical Morning) - Estimated $18-25M Annually

How Rhett & Link Make Money:

• Ad Revenue: $10-15 million (daily uploads = consistent revenue)


• Brand Partnerships: Food and beverage brands ($6-8 million)


• Merchandise: Mythical products and apparel ($2-2 million)

Key to Success: Daily content schedule creates consistent, reliable revenue stream with high viewer loyalty.

8. Unspeakable (Nathan Graham) - Estimated $15-25M Annually

How Unspeakable Makes Money:

• Ad Revenue: $8-12 million


• Brand Partnerships: Gaming and toy brands ($5-8 million)


• Merchandise: Gaming merchandise and accessories ($2-5 million)

Key to Success: Strong presence in kids' gaming niche with consistent content that appeals to young audiences.

9. Preston (PrestonPlayz) - Estimated $15-22M Annually

How Preston Makes Money:

• Ad Revenue: $7-10 million


• Brand Partnerships: Gaming and tech sponsorships ($6-9 million)


• Merchandise: Branded gaming products ($2-3 million)

10. Kids Diana Show - Estimated $15-20M Annually

How Kids Diana Show Makes Money:

• Ad Revenue: $10-12 million (massive view counts)


• Brand Partnerships: Toy and educational brands ($4-6 million)


• Merchandise: Licensed products ($1-2 million)

Key to Success: Global appeal with content available in multiple languages, maximizing reach and ad revenue.

Key Trends in Top Earning YouTubers (2026)

1. Diversification is Essential

The highest earning creators don't rely solely on ad revenue. They've built multiple income streams:

• Brand partnerships and sponsorships


• Merchandise and product lines


• Business ventures and investments


• Other platforms (TikTok, Instagram, streaming)

2. Content Category Matters

Certain content categories tend to earn more:

• Kids' Content: High view counts, family-friendly advertisers pay premium rates


• Gaming: Strong brand partnership opportunities, engaged audience


• Entertainment/Challenges: Viral potential, broad appeal, premium ad rates


• Educational: Long watch times, engaged viewers, brand partnerships

3. Consistency and Scale

Top earners maintain:

• Regular upload schedules (daily or multiple times per week)


• High production values


• Multiple channels or content formats


• Strong community engagement

4. Global Reach

Creators with international audiences earn more due to:

• Larger total view counts


• Diverse RPM rates across countries


• Global brand partnership opportunities


• Multi-language content strategies

How to Calculate YouTube Earnings

Want to estimate earnings for your favorite creator or your own channel? Use our free YouTube Earnings Calculator to:

• Calculate estimated daily, monthly, and yearly earnings


• Compare earnings across different countries


• Understand how RPM rates affect income


• See how subscriber count and views translate to revenue

You can also check out our YouTube Leaderboards to see rankings of top creators by subscribers, views, and estimated earnings.

Conclusion

The top earning YouTubers in 2026 have mastered the art of building multiple revenue streams while creating engaging, high-quality content that attracts millions of viewers. While ad revenue is significant, successful creators diversify their income through brand deals, merchandise, and business ventures.

If you're a creator looking to increase your earnings, focus on:

1. Creating consistent, high-quality content that appeals to your target audience


2. Building multiple revenue streams beyond just ad revenue


3. Engaging with your community to build loyalty and trust


4. Collaborating with brands that align with your values and audience


5. Expanding to other platforms to reach new audiences

Remember, while these top earners make millions, most YouTubers earn significantly less. Success on YouTube requires patience, consistency, and a commitment to creating value for your audience.

Ready to estimate your YouTube earnings? Use our free YouTube Earnings Calculator to see how much you could potentially make based on your channel's stats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the highest earning YouTuber in 2026?

MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) is widely considered the highest earning YouTuber in 2026, with estimated annual earnings of $100-150 million from ad revenue, brand deals, merchandise, and business ventures.

How much do top YouTubers make per month?

Top earning YouTubers can make anywhere from $1-12 million per month, depending on their subscriber count, view counts, brand partnerships, and other revenue streams. MrBeast is estimated to earn $8-12 million per month.

Do YouTubers make more from ads or sponsorships?

For most top creators, brand deals and sponsorships often account for 25-35% of their total income, while ad revenue makes up 45-55%. However, this varies significantly by creator, with some earning more from sponsorships than ads.

How many subscribers do you need to make good money on YouTube?

While you can start earning at 1,000 subscribers (YouTube Partner Program requirement), most creators need 100,000+ subscribers to earn a full-time income. Top earners typically have millions of subscribers and generate billions of views.

Can small YouTubers make money?

Yes, small YouTubers can make money through the YouTube Partner Program, brand deals, affiliate marketing, and other revenue streams. However, earnings are typically much lower for smaller channels, often ranging from $100-1,000 per month for channels with 10,000-100,000 subscribers.

What content makes the most money on YouTube?

Content categories that typically earn the most include kids' entertainment, gaming, educational content, and entertainment/challenge videos. These categories often have high view counts, premium ad rates, and strong brand partnership opportunities.