Forget Hollywood These YouTube and TikTok Stars Are Making Way More Money Than Most Celebrities in 2025

Content creation is no longer just a side hustle.

The biggest creators in the world now run media companies, product brands, podcasts, boxing promotions, food lines, live shows, apps, newsletters, and licensing businesses. Some make more money than actors, athletes, musicians, and traditional TV hosts.

Still, creator wealth can be hard to measure. Many rankings are based on estimated annual earnings, follower counts, brand deals, business revenue, and public reports. Private company valuations and personal net worth figures can change quickly.

This article focuses on creators with widely reported earnings, major businesses, and large global audiences.

MrBeast

Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, is the biggest name in the creator economy.

Forbes ranked him No. 1 on its 2025 Top Creators list, reporting estimated annual earnings of $85 million. His audience stretches across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms, but his real power comes from turning attention into businesses.

Dhar Mann

Dhar Mann has built one of the most profitable creator businesses in the world through short, scripted moral-story videos.

Forbes listed Mann as the second-highest-earning creator in 2025, with estimated earnings of $56 million. His content model is different from many influencers because it works more like a digital studio, producing high-volume videos built around emotional lessons, family stories, workplace conflict, and personal transformation.

Jake Paul

Jake Paul turned social media fame into boxing money, brand deals, and live-event attention.

Forbes ranked him among the top creator earners of 2025, with estimated earnings of $50 million. His high-profile boxing matches, including the Netflix-backed Mike Tyson fight, helped keep him near the top of the creator economy.

Rhett & Link

Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal built one of YouTube’s most durable creator businesses.

Their flagship show, Good Mythical Morning, has grown into a larger media company with shows, podcasts, products, live events, and a loyal fan base. Forbes placed Rhett & Link among the top earners, with estimated earnings of $36 million.

Alex Cooper

Alex Cooper became one of the richest creators in the world through podcasting.

Her show Call Her Daddy grew from a viral relationship podcast into a major media brand. After a huge Spotify deal, Cooper moved into a larger SiriusXM agreement reportedly worth $125 million over multiple years, while also building the Unwell Network and other ventures.

Matt Rife

Matt Rife is one of the strongest examples of a comedian using social media to drive real-world money.

His short stand-up clips helped him build a huge online audience, which turned into ticket sales, streaming specials, touring, and brand value. Forbes’s list included him among the top earners, with reported earnings of $50 million.

Mark Rober

Mark Rober built a creator business around science, engineering, curiosity, and family-friendly spectacle.

The former NASA engineer became famous for viral videos involving glitter bombs, obstacle courses, experiments, and large-scale educational builds. Forbes reported his estimated earnings at $25 million.

Charli D’Amelio

Charli D’Amelio turned TikTok fame into a full entertainment and business career.

She became one of the first true mega-stars of TikTok, then expanded into brand partnerships, family ventures, fashion, reality TV, and stage performance. Forbes listed her estimated earnings at $23.5 million.

Khaby Lame

Khaby Lame became one of the world’s most followed creators without relying heavily on spoken language.

His silent reaction videos made him globally recognizable, especially on TikTok. Forbes placed him among the top creator earners, with estimated earnings of $20 million and a massive global following.

Druski

Druski built a major creator career through comedy, sketches, characters, and hip-hop-adjacent culture.

His videos, live shows, acting roles, and brand campaigns have made him one of the most valuable comedy creators online. Forbes reported his estimated earnings at $14 million, while partnerships with major brands including Google, Nike, Dunkin’, and PrizePicks.

Logan Paul

Logan Paul has turned creator fame into wrestling, boxing, podcasts, collectibles, and consumer products.

He is no longer just a YouTuber. His business interests include Prime Hydration with KSI, podcasting, WWE, and combat-sports events. Forbes listed him among high-earning creators, with estimated earnings of $10 million in that ranking cycle.

KSI

KSI built his creator career through YouTube, music, boxing, Sidemen content, and Prime Hydration.

He is one of the strongest creator-business examples from the U.K. His audience began with gaming and comedy, then expanded into music, boxing, and consumer products.

Emma Chamberlain

Emma Chamberlain helped define a new style of internet celebrity.

Her casual editing, humor, fashion sense, podcasting, coffee brand, and red carpet presence made her one of the most influential creators of her generation. Forbes listed her among top earners, with estimated earnings around $9 million.

Marques Brownlee

Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD, is one of the most trusted technology creators in the world.

His YouTube reviews influence consumer buying decisions across phones, laptops, electric vehicles, cameras, and other tech products. Forbes listed him among major earners, with estimated earnings around $10 million.

Nick DiGiovanni

Nick DiGiovanni turned food content into a major creator business.

He built his audience through cooking videos, short-form food challenges, collaborations, and cookbook-style content. Forbes listed him among high-earning creators, with estimated earnings around $10 million.

Brent Rivera

Brent Rivera built a large creator business through comedy, lifestyle videos, collaborations, and short-form entertainment.

He has been active across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms for years. Forbes listed him among the highest-earning creators, with estimated earnings around $11 million.

Dixie D’Amelio

Dixie D’Amelio turned TikTok visibility into music, fashion, brand deals, and family-business opportunities.

She shares the D’Amelio family platform with Charli, but she has also built her own audience through music and entertainment. Forbes listed her among top earners, with estimated earnings around $14.6 million.

Steven Bartlett

Steven Bartlett built wealth through entrepreneurship, podcasting, investing, and media.

His podcast The Diary of a CEO became one of the biggest business and self-development shows in the world, while his public profile also grew through books, speaking, investing, and television. Forbes listed him among top earners, with estimated earnings around $29 million.

Stokes Twins

The Stokes Twins built a large audience through challenge videos, pranks, and high-volume YouTube entertainment.

Their content is built for broad, young audiences and often performs well across short-form and long-form platforms. Forbes listed them among high earners, with estimated earnings around $20 million.

Ms. Rachel

Ms. Rachel became one of the most valuable family-content creators online.

Her educational videos for toddlers and young children have built enormous trust with parents. While some creator rankings focus more on entertainment, Ms. Rachel represents one of the strongest niches in the creator economy: educational content that families return to repeatedly.

Featured Image : Instagram/MrBeast