YouTube has indeed revolutionized the digital and online video industry. It started from a mere video sharing service and now has become a platform for serious-money making industry.
Since YouTube’s launched in 2005, YouTube’s influence on pop culture can’t be put aside because it’s the platform that propelled the music careers of many well-known celebrities, such as Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber. Through the years, YouTube has also become a place for the next generation of internet celebrities and influencers. The platform has become the ultimate path for stardom globally for its ability to reach hundreds of millions of viewers and tens of millions of followers daily.
As YouTube celebrities become more well-known online, they have turned their vlogs and brands into multi-million dollar business. In fact, Forbes opened the public’s eyes on how much YouTubers earn when they release a list of wealthiest YouTubers in 2015. While the earnings of YouTubers fluctuate, it’s no secret that the YouTube’s most famous influencers are using new ways of earning money beyond sponsored videos and advertising, Some of these stars market their personal merchandise, some even capitalized their success through sold-out live tours, and other have snagged television shows and movies.
If you’re curious to know who tops the list of highest paid YouTubers today, continue reading this article. The list below starts from the controversial Logan Paul and ends with the innocent Ryan of Ryan’s ToysReview. The earnings mentioned in this article are pretax, meaning no fees for agents, lawyers and managers were deducted. This list is based on the Forbes top list of highest-paid YouTubers in the world from June 1, 2017, through June 1, 2018.
10. The Controversial Logan Paul ($14.5 million)
Have you heard or seen the Aokigahara suicide video that sparked worldwide controversy? If yes, then you probably know the 10th YouTube star in our list, Logan Paul. At 10, Paul started creating content videos at a YouTube Channel called Zoosh but he first gained popularity through the internet video sharing service Vine. When the platform shutdown, he moved to Facebook and YouTube.
Currently, he has more than 18 million subscribers at his vlog channel. While Logan Paul continues his million-dollar path through YouTube, his journey wasn’t always a smooth one. He faced controversies and lawsuits that threatened to put off his career. One of these controversies was the Aokigahara vlog uploaded on December 31, 2017. The video featured a recent apparent suicide hanging from a tree. Due to this scandal, he was kicked off YouTube’s Google preferred program. He apologized after three weeks through his vlog channel and had a one month long hiatus. Despite all of Logan Paul’s shortcomings, his earnings have increased based on Forbes reports. His net worth is approximately $14.5 million.
9. The Most Subscribed YouTube Star – PewDiePie ($15.5 million)
Felix Kjellberg, widely known as PewDiePie, is a Swedish YouTuber and gamer. In 2013, his YouTube channel became the most subscribed channel in the world, and up until today, PewDiePie remained the most subscribed YouTube personality at 87 million subscribers. According to Forbes, his latest net worth amounted to $15.5 million.
Felix originally studied a degree in industrial economics and technology management at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. While studying, he started a YouTube channel under the name PewDiePie and later on decided to drop out of school, much to the dismay of his parents. Although his early days as a YouTuber were difficult, he managed to climb steadily up to the ladder of success. His channel shows diverse game segments and series, which his Lets Play Series has been globally popular.
8. Ireland’s Most Popular YouTube Celebrity – Jacksepticeye ($16 million)
Jacksepticeye (real name: Seán McLoughlin) is an Irish YouTube personality who has a net worth of $16 million. He joined YouTube in 2007, but he only started uploading videos in 2012. Similar to PewDiePie, his channel focuses on the gaming industry. In 2013, Jacksepticeye was mentioned in one of PewDiePie’s videos, resulting in a boost of his online popularity.
Alongside his gaming videos, Jacksepticeye regularly uploads videos in which he interacts with his fans by answering personal and work-related queries. Jacksepticeye is best known for his funny and energetic commentary. He even calls himself the “the most energetic video game-commentator on YouTube.” As of today, Jacksepticeye’s YouTube channel brings in around $300,000 per month on average.
7. Unique and Comedic YouTuber – VanossGaming ($17 million)
VanossGaming is a YouTube channel made by a Canadian gaming commentator star, Evan Fong. He is popularly known for his unique art and comedic tone in the online gaming industry. As of this writing, his channel has over 24 million subscribers. According to Forbes, his earnings is about $17 million.
Evan Fong rarely shows his face on camera. In fact, the first time he appeared on his channel was in July 2013 when he was celebrating his 1 million subscribers. Evan created his channel on September 2011, and the name Vanoss was actually adopted from his father’s playstation3 alias, “Vanoss62.”
6. Unfortunate Events Turned Markiplier a YouTube Star ($17.5 million)
Mark Edward Fischbach or also known as Markiplier on YouTube is one great example of a person who conquered darkness. Fischbach was once pursuing a career in the biomedical engineering but suffered a stint of unfortunate events that led him to start a YouTube career. He was laid off from his job, he broke up with his girlfriend and had a tumor removed from his adrenal gland.
Markiplier is widely known for his Indie games and Let’s Play commentary video. He has a reputation for playing mostly survival horror and action video games. Today, Markiplier is the 6th highest paid YouTube personalities in the world. Every year he earns around $10 million, and according to reports, his earnings in 2018 amounted to $17.5 million.
5. Born to be a Star – Jeffree Star ($18 million)
Included in our list of top 10 highest paid YouTube Stars in the world is none other than the beauty and makeup mogul, Jeffree Star. Jeffree Star, born Jeffrey Lynn Steininger Jr., is a YouTube celebrity, makeup artist, singer-songwriter, entrepreneur and model. He is the owner and founder of Jeffree Star Cosmetics.
Star has been building his online career since the days of MySpace. He was once known as the most followed personality on MySpace, and in 2014, he made a successful transition to YouTube. Currently, his YouTube channel boasts over 13 million subscribers and his earnings in 2018 was around $18 million.
4. DanTDM – The Famous Minecraft YouTuber ($18.5 million)
Daniel Robert Middleton or DanTDM in the YouTube world is our favorite Minecraft YouTuber. He is best known for his gaming videos that showed him playing the popular game, Minecraft. In 2016, he started uploading videos about other games, such as Tomodachi Life and Roblox. His current earnings based on Forbes is $18.5 million.
The name of Daniel’s YouTube channel, “DanTDM” is a combination of his real name and his channel’s former name. “Dan” from “Daniel” and “TDM” from “The Diamond Minecraft.” Daniel has received numerous awards as a YouTube personality, including the Nickelodeon’s Kid Choice Award in 2015 and 2016, the Guinness World Record’s Most Views for “Minecraft” channel and Most Goals Scored in “Rocket League.”
3. Incredible Tricks with Dude Perfect ($20 million)
Dude Perfect is an American sports and comedy entertainment group who has a net worth of $20 million in 2018. The group consists of twins Coby and Cory Cotton, Garrett Hilbert, Tony Tyler, and Cody Jones. They are all former high school basketball players and college roommates at Texas A&M University.
This group is known for its incredible trick shots and stereotype series. Dude Perfect started their YouTube career when they uploaded video trick shots that garnered around 200,000 views within the first week. Today, the Dude Perfect channel has 39 million subscribers around the world. The group has appeared in numerous television shows and interviewed famous and professional athletes.
2. The Popular Prankster and Rapper of YouTube – Jake Paul ($21.5 million)
Jake Paul is an American YouTuber star and actor who first gained popularity on the now-defunct video sharing service Vine. Jake Paul is the younger brother of Logan, and even though he is the younger one, he earns more than his older brother does. According to Forbes, Jake’s 2018 net worth is $21.5 million.
Jake Paul uploads daily vlogs and rap videos on his YouTube channel. As of this writing, Jake has more than 10 million subscribers. His videos show several aspects of his life and often have pranks segments. He is also famous for his musical talents on his channel. With his popularity online, Jake was also offered acting roles on TV shows and movies.
1. The Youngest Highest Paid YouTube Star – Ryan ($22 million)
To top our list of top 10 highest paid YouTube Stars in the world is Ryan from the Ryan ToysReview Channel. Ryan, the 7-year-old child star of his YouTube channel is the Forbes highest paid YouTuber in the world. He amassed a net worth of $22 million in 2018. In an NBC interview, Ryan said, “I’m entertaining, and I’m funny.”
Ryan is a mini-millionaire due to his honest and fun toy reviews. Most of his income is from his YouTube channel, which was described as a combination of personal vlog and unboxing video of an innocent child. Today, Ryan’s channel has more than 18 million subscribers globally. He is also set to release his very own Nickelodeon series called “Ryan’s Mystery Playdate” this year.