From pranksters and video gamers to a makeup guru, the world’s highest earning YouTube influencers collectively made $180.5 million this year, according to the latest Forbes estimates.
That’s up 42 percent from a year ago, when the top earners collectively made $127 million. Notably, this year’s list is made solely of male YouTubers. (Only a handful of female influencers have cracked the top ten in previous years.)
Here are this year’s 10 highest paid YouTube stars.
Age: 23
Number of YouTube subscribers: 18.6 million
Year he joined YouTube: 2015
Earnings in 2018: $14.5 million (versus $12.5 million in 2017)
Logan Paul, who’s most known for his pranks, reaction videos and outrageous skits, makes money off of his videos, brand deals and merchandise.
Age: 29
Number of YouTube subscribers: 77.6 million
Year he joined YouTube: 2010
Earnings in 2018: $15.5 million (versus $12 million in 2017)
Felix Kjellberg, PewDiePie’s real name, is a Swedish YouTuber who remains one of the most followed stars despite controversy.
Age: 28
Number of YouTube subscribers: 20.9 million
Year he joined YouTube: 2007
Earnings in 2018: $16 million (did not make list in 2017)
Seán William McLoughlin, known for his gameplay videos and sketch comedy, has made money off a Disney series and live-streaming on Twitch.
Age: 26
Number of YouTube subscribers: 23.9 million
Year he joined YouTube: 2011
Earnings in 2018: $17 million (versus $15.5 million in 2017)
Evan Fong, known as VanossGaming online, is a video game commentator who makes money, in part, through live-streaming.
Age: 29
Number of Youtube subscribers: 22.6 million
Year he joined YouTube: 2012
Earnings in 2018: $17.5 million (versus $12.5 million in 2017)
Mark Fischbach, who goes by Markiplier on YouTube, shares gaming videos, original comedy sketches and animated parodies. He makes his money through brand deals and his clothing line.
Age: 33
Number of Youtube subscribers: 11.6 million
Year he joined YouTube: 2006
Earnings in 2018: $18 million (Star did not make this list in 2017)
Jeffree Star is best known for his makeup tutorials and reviews. He also owns his own makeup company Jeffree Star Cosmetics.
Age: 27
Number of YouTube subscribers: 20.7 million
Year he joined YouTube: 2012
Earnings in 2018: $18.5 million (versus $16.5 million in 2017)
Daniel Robert Middleton, most known for his Minecraft gameplay and reaction videos, also profits off his own branded merchandise.
Ages: The group’s five members range from 28 to 33 years old
Number of YouTube subscribers: 37.3 million
Year they joined YouTube: 2009
Earnings in 2018: $20 million (versus $14 million in 2017)
Tyler Toney, Coby Cotton, Cory Cotton, Cody Jones and Garrett Hilbert perform sport-related tricks and comedy sketches and sell their own merchandise.
Age: 21
Number of YouTube subscribers: 17.5 million
Year he joined YouTube: 2013
Earnings in 2018: $21.5 million (versus $11.5 in 2017)
Jake Paul, known for his pranks and reaction videos, sells his own merchandise and has even broken into the music industry.
Age: 8
Number of YouTube subscribers: 17.4 million
Year he joined YouTube: 2015
Earnings in 2018: $22 million (versus $11 million in 2017)
Ryan often stars alongside his parents and twin sisters as they unbox and review toys and blog about family life. Ryan has a toy and clothing line sold at Walmart and Target.
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