USA (Commonwealth Union)_ In 2025, social media fame has translated into major wealth. Accordingly, Forbes reports that the top creators on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube earned a combined $853 million between April 2024 and April 2025, an 18 percent rise from 2024. These top 50 creators now have over 3.37 billion followers worldwide, up 25 percent from the previous year. This boom happens amid growing momentum in the creator economy. Additionally, Goldman Sachs data shows around 67 million creators worldwide today, a number expected to reach 107 million by 2030. The industry might be worth nearly $480 billion by 2027. As audiences expand and revenue streams diversify, creators are building powerful brands both online and offline. Here, we profile the ten highest earners in the creator economy in 2025.
Also read: How Yoga Keeps Bollywood’s Biggest Names Strong, Centered, and Healthy?
- MrBeast
MrBeast tops the list with $85 million in earnings and 634 million followers. Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, remains the world’s top-earning content creator. He topped YouTube’s subscriber list and has branched into fast food with MrBeast Burger, snacks through Feastables, and even a show on Amazon Prime called “Beast Games.” Additionally, his signature stunt and challenge videos continue to draw millions, cementing his status as a global creator and businessman.
- Dhar Mann
Entrepreneur and filmmaker Dhar Mann ranks 2nd with $56 million in earnings and 137 million followers. Born of Indian heritage, he built a YouTube studio focused on dramatic, motivational content with moral takeaways. His videos, fueled by YouTube’s AdSense revenue, attract sponsorship deals with major companies like Meta and Google. His studio is now a full-fledged Hollywood-backed operation.
Also read: Tears, Cheers, and Cake—Thalapathy Vijay’s 51st Birthday Leaves Fans Overwhelmed!
- Jake Paul
Jake Paul ranks 3rd with $50 million in earnings and 79 million followers. Jake Paul boosted his earnings with a highly publicized boxing match with icon Mike Tyson, released on Netflix. The fight drew massive interest and subscription spikes. Outside the ring, his life off-camera is documented in ‘Paul American,’ a reality series on HBO made alongside his brother Logan.
- Matt Rife
Matt Rife ranks 4th with $50 million in earnings and 42 million followers. Comedian Matt Rife has risen from live stand-up circuits to social media stardom since 2021. He has sold over 100,000 live-show tickets and released two Netflix specials. His online sharing of live crowd interactions gained him a following of over 40 million and paved the way for a lucrative career in both touring and film.
Also read: Commonwealth Union crowns Actor Napolean as the Best Father!
- Rhett & Link
Rhett & Link rank 5th with $36 million in earnings and 33.8 million followers. Comedy pair Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, known as Rhett & Link, draw viewers to “Good Mythical Morning” on YouTube. They have expanded to streaming platforms like Roku and Amazon Prime, host live events, and even released a bestselling cookbook titled Mythical Cookbook. Their cross-platform brand continues to grow.
- Alex Cooper
Alex Cooper ranks 6th with $32 million in earnings and 15 million followers. Podcast host Alexandra Cooper built an empire with “Call Her Daddy.” After a $60 million Spotify deal, she now holds a $125 million contract with Sirius XM. She produces seven shows under her network. She launched a sports drink brand called Unwell Hydration in partnership with the NWSL and is developing a reality show for Hulu titled Overboard For Love.
- Charli D’Amelio
Charli D’Amelio ranks 7th with $23.5 million in earnings and 216 million followers. Dancer-turned-influencer Charli D’Amelio continues her meteoric rise on TikTok with over 200 million fans. In 2025, Charli D’Amelio made her Broadway debut in the musical & Juliet. She represents luxury brands like Prada and Kate Spade and co-owns D’Amelio Brands, her family business.
- Mark Rober
Mark Rober ranks 8th with $25 million in earnings and 80 million followers. Former NASA engineer Mark Rober reached nearly 69 million social followers with his viral science videos, like tricks on self-driving cars and laser vs. lightning tests. He also founded CrunchLab, a STEM-focused subscription box company, expanding his educational brand.
- Druski
Druski ranks 9th with $14 million in earnings and 25 million followers. Rapper, actor, and comedian Druski captured strong engagement through satirical content on social media. His popularity earned him roles in a Dunkin’ Donuts Super Bowl ad alongside Ben and Casey Affleck and partnerships with Nike, Google, and PrizePicks. His blend of comedy and music makes him a rising name in the creator space.
- Khaby Lame
Khaby Lame ranks 10th with $20 million in earnings and 258.5 million followers. Khaby Lame, the Senegalese-Italian creator, holds the record for the most-followed TikTok account, with about 162 million followers. Known for his silent comedic takes on viral trends, Lame earns from brand deals with Hugo Boss, Binance, and film producers. He recently appeared with celebrities like Tom Cruise and Matt Damon.
Content creation to entrepreneurship
Forbes based these rankings on earnings between April 2024 and April 2025. They considered income sources like ad revenue, brand deals, subscriptions, and merchandise. The creator-marketing agency Influential provided data for metrics such as follower counts, engagement, and business deals. This ranking highlights a key trend: top creators are building businesses that go well beyond their original platforms. Whether launching food labels, TV series, or subscription services, they now blend content creation with entrepreneurship.
Booming creator economy
As more people turn to digital media for entertainment, the demand for creators grows. Advertisers shift budgets toward influencers, and platforms offer tools that unlock fresh revenue options, like short-form video monetization, subscriptions, and digital storefronts. Studio deals, product lines, podcasts, and live tours all point to a future where leading creators resemble media companies. Experts expect these earnings to grow further. The creator economy is booming across the world, ensuring tomorrow’s top stars could earn as much as today or more’s biggest names.
