YouTube RPM by Niche: 2026 Data from 100 Creators
Discover which YouTube niches pay the most in 2026. Real RPM data from 100 creators across finance, tech, gaming, lifestyle, and more.
YouTube RPM by Niche: 2026 Data from 100 Creators
Which YouTube niches pay the most? We surveyed 100 monetized creators across 12 niches to find out. The results reveal massive RPM differences that could mean earning 5x more for the same views.
Key Finding: Finance creators earn $18.40 RPM on average—9x more than gaming channels at $2.05.
What is YouTube RPM?
RPM (Revenue Per Mille) is your actual earnings per 1,000 views after YouTube's 45% cut. Unlike CPM (what advertisers pay), RPM reflects what lands in your pocket.
RPM = (Total Revenue / Total Views) × 1,000
This is the metric that actually matters for creators.
YouTube RPM by Niche: 2026 Data
Our survey of 100 monetized creators (10K-1M subscribers) revealed these average RPMs:
| Niche | Average RPM | Median RPM | Sample Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance & Investing | $18.40 | $16.00 | 12 |
| Business & Entrepreneurship | $12.30 | $10.50 | 10 |
| Tech Reviews | $9.80 | $8.50 | 15 |
| Education & How-To | $7.20 | $6.00 | 14 |
| Health & Fitness | $6.80 | $5.50 | 8 |
| Lifestyle & Vlogs | $4.50 | $3.80 | 12 |
| Travel | $4.20 | $3.50 | 6 |
| Gaming | $2.05 | $1.80 | 15 |
| Entertainment | $3.20 | $2.50 | 8 |
Survey Methodology: 100 monetized YouTube creators surveyed in December 2025. All channels had 10K-1M subscribers and were monetized for 12+ months.
The 9x RPM Gap
The most striking finding? Finance channels earn 9x more than gaming channels for the same views.
Example: 100,000 views would earn approximately:
- Finance channel: $1,840
- Gaming channel: $205
Same effort, same views, vastly different earnings.
Why Some Niches Pay More
Three factors determine RPM in your niche:
1. Advertiser Demand
Finance advertisers bid more because:
- One customer = lifetime value of thousands
- High competition for limited ad inventory
- B2B marketing budgets are larger
Gaming advertisers pay less because:
- Younger audience with less purchasing power
- Lower conversion rates
- More ad inventory available
2. Audience Purchasing Power
High RPM audiences:
- Adults 25-45 (finance, business, tech)
- Developed countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia)
- Professional decision-makers
Lower RPM audiences:
- Younger viewers (gaming, entertainment)
- Developing countries
- Students with limited budgets
3. Viewer Intent
Finance viewers are researching purchases → higher ad engagement Gaming viewers are watching for entertainment → lower ad engagement
RPM Ranges by Niche
Understanding the range helps set realistic expectations:
Finance & Investing ($8 - $35+ RPM)
- Low end: Basic personal finance tips
- High end: Investment strategies, trading education
- Top performers: $50+ RPM (financial advisors, professional investors)
Business & Entrepreneurship ($5 - $22 RPM)
- Low end: Motivational content
- High end: Practical business training, courses
- Top performers: $30+ RPM (B2B focused)
Tech Reviews ($4 - $18 RPM)
- Low end: General tech news
- High end: Expensive product reviews (laptops, cameras)
- Top performers: $25+ RPM (B2B tech, software reviews)
Education & How-To ($3 - $15 RPM)
- Low end: General tutorials
- High end: Career skills, software training
- Top performers: $20+ RPM (professional certifications)
Gaming ($0.50 - $6 RPM)
- Low end: Let's plays, entertainment
- High end: Game reviews, hardware focus
- Top performers: $10+ RPM (PC building, tech-adjacent)
Audience Location Impact
Your audience geography dramatically affects RPM:
| Region | Average RPM Multiplier |
|---|---|
| United States | 1.0x (baseline) |
| United Kingdom | 0.85x |
| Canada | 0.8x |
| Australia | 0.9x |
| Western Europe | 0.6-0.75x |
| Eastern Europe | 0.3-0.5x |
| Asia | 0.2-0.4x |
| Latin America | 0.25-0.45x |
| Africa | 0.15-0.3x |
Real example: A finance channel with mostly US viewers earns $18.40 RPM. The same content with mostly Indian viewers earns ~$4-6 RPM.
Video Length Impact on RPM
Our data shows longer videos = higher RPM:
| Video Length | Average RPM Increase |
|---|---|
| Under 3 minutes | Baseline |
| 3-8 minutes | +15% |
| 8-15 minutes | +35% |
| 15+ minutes | +50% |
Why? Mid-roll ads generate additional revenue without significantly hurting viewer experience.
Seasonal RPM Fluctuations
RPM varies throughout the year:
Highest RPM Months:
- December (holiday shopping, Q4 budgets)
- November (Black Friday, Cyber Monday)
- January (New Year resolutions)
Lowest RPM Months:
- July-August (summer slowdown)
- February (post-holiday dip)
Typical variation: 20-40% difference between high and low months
Maximizing Your RPM Regardless of Niche
Can't change your niche? Here's what 100 creators recommend:
1. Target High-Value Subtopics
Even gaming channels can find higher RPM angles:
- Instead of: Generic gameplays
- Try: PC building, hardware reviews, tech tutorials
2. Create "Purchase-Intent" Content
Content that helps viewers make buying decisions earns more:
- Product reviews and comparisons
- "Best X for Y" videos
- Buying guides and recommendations
3. Optimize for US Audience
Without changing your content:
- Upload during US peak hours
- Use US English spellings and references
- Cover topics with US audience appeal
- Avoid region-specific jokes
4. Extend Video Length
Aim for 8+ minutes to enable mid-roll ads:
- Add depth to your content
- Include multiple sections
- Don't fluff—add value
5. Diversify Beyond Ad Revenue
RPM is just one income stream. Top earners diversify:
- Sponsorships (2-10x ad revenue for many)
- Affiliate marketing (especially for high-RPM niches)
- Products and courses
- Memberships and Patreon
RPM vs. CPM: What's the Difference?
| Metric | Definition | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| CPM | Cost Per Mille (what advertisers pay) | Gross revenue before YouTube's cut |
| RPM | Revenue Per Mille (what you earn) | Net revenue after YouTube's 45% |
YouTube keeps 45% of ad revenue. So:
- If CPM = $20
- Your RPM = $11 (55% of $20)
Always compare RPM, not CPM—RPM is your actual earnings.
Choosing a Niche: RPM vs. Growth Potential
Higher RPM doesn't always mean more money. Consider:
High RPM / Low Competition:
- Finance, business, professional education
- Harder to grow, but more valuable per view
- Best for: Experts, professionals, educators
Lower RPM / High Competition:
- Gaming, entertainment, vlogs
- Easier to grow, less valuable per view
- Best for: Personality-driven creators, entertainers
The math:
- 100K views at $2 RPM (gaming) = $200
- 10K views at $18 RPM (finance) = $180
Sometimes, more views in a low-RPM niche beats fewer views in a high-RPM niche.
Key Takeaways
-
Finance channels earn 9x more than gaming for the same views ($18.40 vs $2.05 RPM)
-
Audience location matters—US viewers pay 3-5x more than other regions
-
Video length impacts RPM—8+ minute videos earn ~50% more
-
Seasonal swings are normal—expect 20-40% variation throughout the year
-
RPM > CPM—always focus on revenue per mille (your earnings), not CPM
-
Diversification wins—sponsorships and affiliates can 2-10x your total income
-
Choose niche wisely—balance RPM potential with your ability to grow views
Want to calculate your potential earnings? Use our Free YouTube Earnings Calculator to estimate revenue based on your niche and projected views.
For more monetization data, see our Complete 100 YouTubers Survey Results.