In 2024, everyone wants to be a social media creator, whether using TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Twitch or any other social platform. The “influencer economy” has been growing steadily in recent years and, according to Influencer Marketing Hub, it is set to reach approximately $22.2 billion by 2025.
It’s not surprising, especially as, per the same source, recent surveys state that 85% of brands believe that influencer marketing is a highly effective form of promotion. So, that means that anyone who has a decent base of followers can become a star.
Of course, many influencers also expand their business, mainly creating their own brands and products, or take advantage of their fame to launch a career in film or TV. But, what are the highest-paid influencers right now? Forbes’ 2023 Top Creators List answers the question.
Top 10 of highest-paid influencers according to Forbes
MrBeast
Earnings: $82M
Total Followers: 312M
MrBeast is not only one of the most popular influencers in the world, he is also the best paid, according to Forbes. Of course, he is mostly known for doing big stunts, with either himself or followers. However, he is also expanding his brand with several products, such as MrBeast Burgers restaurant chain.
Olajide Olatunji (KSI)
Earnings: $24M
Total Followers: 112M
KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, started making reaction videos to FIFA video games on YouTube in 2009, gaining a huge following. Apart from being a content creator, he is a comedian, boxer, and entrepreneur, running his promotional company called Misfits Boxing. Despite his success, KSI has faced criticism for engaging in controversial content, including instances of misogyny and using racist and transphobic language.
Jake Paul
Earnings: $34M
Total Followers: 66M
Another controversial figure in the list. Jake Paul is a Vine star turned Youtuber turned boxer. Among his scandals, we can mention allegations of sexual misconduct, scamming fans, and most recently, an SEC charge for undisclosed cryptocurrency sponsorship. Despite all of that, he still signed a MMA contract, is the face of the energy drink Celsius and has his own betting app.
Rhett & Link
Earnings: $35M
Total Followers: 51M
Rhett James McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln “Link” Neal III, two former engineers, began posting comedy shows on YouTube in 2006. Now, they own an entertainment company, Mythical, which produces podcasts, live touring, and livestream events–books and TV shows too.
Charli D’Amelio
Earnings: $23M
Total Followers: 213M
Charli D’Amelio has turned her Internet fame into an empire, which also includes her family now. Move on, Kardashians. Apart from being one of the most famous TikTokers in the world, she is now the face of brands such as Prada, Amazon, CeraVe and, yes, even SKIMS. She and her family also have a reality series “The D’Amelio Show” for Hulu.
Logan Paul
Earnings: $21M
Total Followers: 74M
Just as his brother Jake, Logan Paul is also a magnet of controversy, even being demonetized on Youtube after showing a dead body in Japan’s “suicide forest.” He also started his wrestling career, and now promotes Prime Hydration (alongside YouTuber KSI). He also co-hosts a podcast with his brother called Impaulsive.
Elliot Tebele (F***Jerry)
Earnings: $30M
Total Followers: 17M
Elliot Tebele, the mastermind behind FJerryLLC, manages popular social media accounts like F***Jerry, BeigeCardigan, DudeWithSign, and JerryNews. However, his primary source of revenue comes from his board game empire, featuring the widely sold party game “What Do You Meme.” Tebele has also expanded to other industries, including his viral tequila brand Jaja.
Emma Chamberlain
Earnings: $20M
Total Followers: 28M
Emma Chamberlain, who started with YouTube videos in her mother’s house, dropped out of high school, gained 27.9 million followers, and built a lifestyle empire. She secured high-profile deals with Louis Vuitton and partnered with major companies like Cartier and Levi’s. Chamberlain’s Chamberlain Coffee is sold at Walmart and Sprouts, and her podcast “Anything Goes” has an exclusive video deal with Spotify.
Matt Rife
Earnings: $25M
Total Followers: 22M
Rife, a stand-up comedian, is using his popularity on social media to pack out live shows. After ten years of performing in small clubs, he shot to fame on TikTok with a viral video of him joking with a fan. However, he recently faced controversy over his Netflix comedy special, “Natural Selection” had a mysoginistic joke.
Brent Rivera
Earnings: $17.5M
Total Followers: 96M
Brent Rivera has become a hit on popular social media sites. His comedic videos have gained a whopping 50 million fans. However, he has also teamed up with big brands like Starbucks, Xbox, and Prada. On top of all that, he started Amp Studios in 2017, a company helping out other creators and new brands.
