According to Forbes and other estimates, Swedish YouTuber PewDiePie (whose real name is Felix Kjellberg) is the world‘s highest paid and overall richest gaming content creator. With over 110 million subscribers and counting, PewDiePie has built an online entertainment empire and amassed a fortune of around $40 million and growing.
How PewDiePie Became YouTube‘s Top Earner
PewDiePie first registered his YouTube channel back in 2010, focused on gaming walkthroughs and commentary. His charismatic personality and comedy drew a loyal following over the next few years as he played flash games and horror titles. In 2013, PewDiePie became the most subscribed channel on YouTube, surpassing Smosh.
PewDiePie‘s subscriber count and video views exploded through the 2010s as YouTube‘s platform grew. At his 2016 peak, he amassed over 53 million subscribers. According to a Forbes report, PewDiePie earned a staggering $15 million that year from YouTube ad revenue alone, not counting sponsorships or merch.
While he has faced some controversies over offensive jokes, PewDiePie remains the top individual YouTuber today with 109 million subscribers as of January 2023. His channel earns upwards of 300 million views every month.
PewDiePie‘s Earnings Breakdown
| YouTube Ad Revenue | $15 million/year (estimated) |
| Sponsorships & Brand Deals | $5 million/year (estimated) |
| Merchandise Sales (Tsuki) | $20 million/year (estimated) |
| Total Yearly Earnings | $40+ million |
According to SocialBlade, PewDiePie could be making over $2 million a month from ads on his videos alone, not counting his other revenue streams. His merchandise brand Tsuki sells apparel, accessories and other products which likely account for over $20 million in annual sales.
Factoring in occasional brand sponsorships with companies like Gfuel and Crunchyroll, PewDiePie‘s total estimated earnings are around $40 million a year, making him the richest gamer on YouTube.
Other Top Earning Gaming YouTubers
While PewDiePie leads the pack by a wide margin, other gaming content creators also earn millions from their channels:
Markiplier – $28 Million/Year
Markiplier (real name Mark Fischbach) has the second most subscribers of any individual gaming YouTuber at 33 million. His energetic style playing horror and adventure games has earned him a fortune north of $28 million a year according to Income Stream Builder‘s estimates.
Ninja – $20 Million/Year
Once the top streamer on Twitch, Tyler "Ninja" Blevins has amassed 16 million subscribers on YouTube. His total annual earnings are around $20 million thanks to gaming endorsements, sponsorships, merch, and former platform contracts before moving to YouTube.
DanTDM – $16.5 Million/Year
Known for his kid-friendly Minecraft videos, DanTDM (real name Daniel Middleton) pulls in $16.5 million a year from his 25 million subscriber fanbase according to Naibuzz estimates.
Jacksepticeye – $16 Million/Year
Another Energetic, comedy-focused gamer, Jacksepticeye earns an estimated $16 million a year between his YouTube ad revenue and lucrative brand promotions.
Shroud – $12 Million/Year
Michael “Shroud” Grzesiek rose to fame as a professional E-Sports player before becoming one of Twitch‘s top streamers. His peak annual income was estimated around $12 million while under contract with Twitch.
Pokimane – $3.5 Million/Year
Imane “Pokimane” Anys stands out as one of the most popular female gamers with over 8 million Twitch followers. She earns around $3.5 million a year from her sponsorships and subscriptions.
How Gaming YouTubers Earn So Much
Gaming content creators have several income sources that can quickly add up to millions:
– YouTube ad revenue – Gaming videos can generate millions of views, allowing top creators to earn 6-7 figures yearly from Google ad payouts.
– Sponsored videos – Brands will often pay gaming influencers over $10,000+ for a single sponsored video, gameplay demo or endorsed live stream.
– Merchandise – Top gamers like PewDiePie and Markiplier earn big from branded apparel and accessories.
– Donations – Loyal viewers donate money directly to gaming streamers on YouTube and Twitch via SuperChats and subscriptions.
– Platform contracts – Exclusive streaming deals with YouTube or Twitch guarantee upfront payments in the millions.
– Appearances – Gaming stars can also earn big paydays from awards shows, panels, and other live events.
For pro gamers, winning major E-Sports tournaments can also deliver million dollar prizes. As gaming channels continue to dominate YouTube, their earning potential only looks brighter.
Tips For Aspiring Gaming YouTubers
For those hoping to turn their own gaming skills and personalities into YouTube success, here are some expert tips:
– Find a niche – Get known for focusing on one game or genre you‘re passionate about.
– Post consistently – Aim to upload videos daily or several times a week to build a loyal audience.
– Engage viewers – Reading comments, replying, and hosting live streams helps create community.
– Promote on social media – Share your YouTube content across Instagram, Twitter, Facebook.
– Collaborate with others – Team up with other rising gamers to cross-promote.
– Monetize all content – Once eligible for the YouTube Partner Program, enable all ads.
– Diversify income – Sponsorships, merchandising, events all grow your earnings.
– Have fun – Most importantly, only play and create gaming content you genuinely enjoy!
The Future Looks Bright For Gaming YouTubers
By offers hours of entertainment to millions of fans, today‘s top gaming YouTubers have discovered a lucrative secret to success. As gaming content and livestreaming continue to thrive, the potential earnings in this field look incredibly promising. We can expect to see more and more professional gamers and creators earning enviable incomes of millions a year from their passions. For talented and determined individuals, a wildly profitable career as a gaming celebrity is now very much within reach.
