Getting 100K subscribers is a big win. But how much do 100K YouTubers make in reality?
Let’s break down Silver Play Button income across different niches, look at real numbers, and show how smart creators use tools like MilX to take control of their YouTube monetization journey.
What is the Silver Play Button and Who Gets It?
The Silver Play Button is YouTube’s first major creator milestone. You earn it when your channel hits 100,000 subscribers.
It’s part of the YouTube Creator Awards program, and yes, it’s a real, physical plaque that gets shipped to your door. But it’s more than just a nice wall decoration.
Reaching 100K means you’ve built a real audience. It shows you’ve earned trust, created value, and stayed consistent long enough to cross one of YouTube’s hardest growth barriers.
It’s a signal to sponsors, brands, and platforms that you’re not just experimenting, you’re in the game.
But here’s what the Silver Play Button doesn’t do:
- It doesn’t come with a cash prize;
- No payout. No bonus from YouTube.
The button itself doesn’t make you money. But the level you’ve reached unlocks powerful monetization options that can.
So, how much do 100K YouTubers make? That depends on what you do next, how you monetize, optimize, and invest in your content.
This is where creators start thinking like business owners. And that’s where the real income begins.
Main Factors That Affect Income at 100K Subs
Once at the period of having ~138,000 subscribers Sarah Lavender is a full‑time ASMR YouTuber, said that over the year her monthly ad income ranged roughly $1,000 > $6,000 depending on the month. As of that time, she said ads made ~53% of her total income, sponsorships ~34%, and Patreon ~13%.
But, not all 100K creators earn the same. A tech channel can make 10x more than a vlog with the same views.
Here’s why.
Niche and Video Topics
This is the #1 factor.
- $14.67 CPM? The US is the advertiser’s jackpot.
- Lifestyle, vlogs, or gaming? Often below $3.73 CPM.
If you're making tutorials on investing or SaaS tools, you’re in the money.
Talking about your day? You'll need millions of views to match that.
Audience Geography and CPM
Where your viewers are matters. A lot.
Here is what we knew according to MilX data.
5 highest CPM:
- United States - $7,337;
- Australia - $6,649;
- Switzerland - $6,491;
- Norway - $5,603;
- New Zealand - $5,104.
5 lowest CPM:
- Tunisia - $0.299;
- Algeria - $0.289;
- Pakistan - $0.267;
- Bangladesh - $0.266;
- Yemen - $0.240.
👉 Learn more about the countries with the highest CPM rate in 2025.
Example:
YouTube income with 100k subs:
A finance channel with mostly U.S. viewers could earn over $4,000/month.
A lifestyle channel with mainly Indian traffic might see $300–$800/month with the same views.
👉 Discover more about why CPM and RPM matter.
Watch Time, Engagement, and Upload Frequency
High watch time = more ads = more money.
Frequent uploads = more chances to earn.
Strong engagement = better sponsor deals.
Even channels with 100K subs can earn low if people drop off in 30 seconds.
👉Learn about tips on how to increase watch time for YouTube videos.
Get Paid Before the Views Roll In
Access up to 6 months of future YouTube monetization upfront with MilX. No delays. No drama. Just growth, unlocked.
Monetization Options for 100K Creators
You’ve unlocked more than the YouTube Partner Program. Now it’s time to explore income layers.
YouTube Partner Program Earnings
Once you hit 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you can join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
At 100K subs, you’re well past that threshold, and now, AdSense starts to play a much bigger role in your income.
Your earnings depend on CPM (cost per 1,000 views) and RPM (what you actually earn per 1,000 views after YouTube’s cut). But views alone don’t tell the whole story. It’s about how valuable your audience is to advertisers.
Here’s what’s realistic:
- Lifestyle, beauty, vlog channels often earn $500–$2,500/month. CPMs are usually lower here, around $1–$5, depending on location.
- Tech, finance, B2B, or SaaS-focused channels can make $3,000–$10,000/month with similar views. That’s thanks to premium CPMs that can go as high as $20–$30+ in top-tier markets.
Let’s break that down with an example.
A finance creator with 100K subscribers and 250K monthly views could earn $4,000+ just from ads, while a travel vlogger with the same views might only see $800.
This is what people are really asking when they search “what’s the YouTube monetization at 100K like?”
It varies - a lot.
More uploads = more chances to earn. And long-form content (8+ minutes) = more mid-roll ads = higher income.
Sponsorships and Brand Deals
If AdSense is your base income, sponsorships are your big leaps.
At 100K subs, brands start to take you seriously. You have proof of concept. You’ve built an audience they want to reach, and they’re willing to pay for it.
For many creators, sponsorships quickly outpace ad revenue.
Here’s what’s typical:
- A tech or finance creator with strong engagement can charge $1,000–$5,000+ per sponsored video.
- Lifestyle, fashion, or fitness creators may earn $500–$2,000 per deal - sometimes more if they deliver conversions.
Got a consistent posting schedule and a loyal audience? You can bundle 2–3 sponsored videos into $10K+ packages or more, especially if you add Shorts, Instagram reels, or email promos.
It’s not just about sub count. Brands care about:
- Your niche;
- Watch time;
- Click-throughs;
- Audience trust.
And here’s the secret:
You don’t need to wait for sponsors to find you. Pitch them. Package your value. Show them past results. Many 100K creators build monthly retainers this way.
Want to turn 100K subs into full-time income?
Start treating your channel like a media brand - not just a content feed.
Merch, Affiliate Marketing, and Other Revenue Streams
Ad revenue and sponsors aren’t the only way to earn. Smart creators build multiple income streams that add up fast.
At 100K subscribers, you have the audience, and the trust, to start monetizing in more creative ways.
👉Learn more about merch that sells.
Here’s what many creators add:
- Affiliate links. Platforms like Amazon Associates, Adobe, Skillshare, or ShareASale let you earn a commission every time someone buys through your link. Tech, fashion, fitness, and gear-review channels do especially well here.
- Merch stores. T-shirts, stickers, digital downloads, it doesn’t have to be fancy. Even a small merch launch can boost income and deepen your fan connection.
- Paid communities. Set up Patreon, YouTube Channel Memberships, or private Discords. Offer perks like behind-the-scenes access, bonus videos, or Q&A sessions.
👉Discover more about the best affiliate programs for YouTube creators.
And here’s a key insight. Some creators, especially in fashion, gaming, and fitness, earn more from affiliate links than from ads.
Why? Because they drive purchase intent. When a viewer clicks “buy,” you win.
The real advantage of these streams?
They grow with you.
Real Income from Creators with 100K Subs
So, let’s sum up in total how much do 100K YouTubers make.
Most creators with 100K subscribers earn anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000+ per month - and those with strong niches and brand deals can break past $20K.
Sub count doesn’t guarantee views.
Only a slice of your audience actually shows up for every video. That’s why income depends more on engagement and monetization strategy than just the numbers.
Here’s what a typical monthly breakdown looks like:
- AdSense (ads): $1,000–$6,000;
- Sponsorships: $1,000–$5,000;
- Merch, courses, or products: $200–$1,500;
- Memberships or Patreon: $200–$800.
Monetize Your Way
Withdraw YouTube income anytime, in 40+ currencies. Bank account, card, e-wallet, crypto, it’s your choice. With MilX, you’re always in control.
Common Financial Challenges at This Stage
You’ve hit 100K. You’re monetized. You’re growing.
But that doesn’t mean it’s smooth sailing.
Most Silver Play Button creators run into the same problems:
- Delayed payouts. YouTube pays monthly, and always a month behind. That wait can feel like forever when bills, shoots, or ad campaigns are due now.
- Cash flow gaps. Uploads take time. Editors cost money. There’s often a lag between work and reward, and it can stall your momentum.
- Upfront costs. New camera? $2,000. A skilled editor? $500+ per video. Want to test ads? That’s another few hundred. Scaling up requires spending before the next check lands.
- Global payment limits. Not every creator has easy access to USD bank accounts, fast transfers, or flexible withdrawal options. If you’re outside North America or Europe, your options shrink fast, and fees eat into your revenue.
You might be growing on paper, but in practice? You’re waiting.
Waiting to hire. Waiting to shoot. Waiting to invest in your next big idea.
That’s why smart creators look for tools that give them faster access to their own earnings, without strings attached.
How MilX Helps Silver Button Creators Manage and Grow Income
100K is a turning point. MilX helps creators push beyond it, faster.
With MilX Active Funds, you can unlock up to 6 months of your projected YouTube earnings today.
Perfect for:
- Buying gear;
- Running promo campaigns;
- Paying your team upfront.
What makes MilX different?
- No credit checks;
- Withdraw in 40+ currencies;
- 10+ payout methods (card, wallet, crypto, etc.);
- Free P2P transfers to editors or collaborators.
MilX earnings optimization isn't just a feature. It’s how smart creators stay ahead.
Power up your monetization on your terms. Try MilX free.