YouTube Sponsorship Rates: 2026 Data from 100 Creators
How much do YouTubers charge for sponsorships? Real pricing data from 100 creators across all niches and channel sizes.
YouTube Sponsorship Rates: 2026 Data from 100 Creators
How much do YouTubers actually charge for sponsorships? We surveyed 100 creators to find out.
Key finding: Sponsorship rates range from $50 to $50,000+ per video, with an average of $270 per 10,000 views.
Sponsorship Rates by Channel Size
Based on our survey of 100 creators who've done brand deals:
| Subscribers | Avg. Rate/Video | Range | Typical Deals/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1K-5K | $50-$150 | $20-$300 | 2-5 |
| 5K-10K | $150-$400 | $75-$750 | 4-8 |
| 10K-25K | $400-$1,000 | $200-$2,000 | 6-12 |
| 25K-50K | $1,000-$2,500 | $500-$5,000 | 8-16 |
| 50K-100K | $2,500-$5,000 | $1,000-$10,000 | 10-20 |
| 100K-250K | $5,000-$12,000 | $2,500-$25,000 | 12-24 |
| 250K-500K | $12,000-$25,000 | $5,000-$50,000 | 15-30 |
| 500K-1M | $25,000-$50,000 | $10,000-$100,000 | 18-36 |
| 1M+ | $50,000+ | $25,000-$500,000+ | 24+ |
Survey data: 100 YouTube creators, December 2025. All creators had done at least one sponsorship in the past 12 months.
The $270 per 10K Views Benchmark
When pricing sponsorships, the industry standard is $200-350 per 10,000 average views.
Formula:
Sponsorship Rate = (Average Views ÷ 10,000) × $270
Examples:
- 25K avg views × $27 = $675 per video
- 50K avg views × $27 = $1,350 per video
- 100K avg views × $27 = $2,700 per video
Views matter more than subscribers—brands care about actual reach.
Sponsorship Rates by Niche
Your niche dramatically affects pricing power:
| Niche | Rate per 10K Views | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Finance | $400-$600 | High customer value |
| Business | $350-$500 | B2B purchasing power |
| Tech | $300-$450 | Product purchase intent |
| Education | $250-$400 | Course conversions |
| Gaming | $150-$250 | Lower purchasing power |
| Entertainment | $150-$220 | Brand awareness focus |
| Lifestyle | $200-$300 | Demographic targeting |
Finance channels earn 2-3x more than entertainment channels for the same views.
Pricing Formulas Creators Actually Use
Our survey revealed three main pricing strategies:
1. Per-View Formula (Most Common - 62%)
Rate = (Average Views ÷ 1,000) × $25-40
Example: 50K views × $30 = $1,500
2. Per-Subscriber Formula (Less Common - 22%)
Rate = Subscribers × $0.02-0.05
Example: 100K subs × $0.03 = $3,000
3. Flat Rate + Performance (Growing - 16%)
Base Rate + (Conversion Sales × %)
Example: $1,000 + 10% of sales
What Determines Your Rate?
Factors That INCREASE Your Rate:
- High engagement (comments, likes, shares)
- Targeted demographics (age, location, income)
- Niche with high purchase intent (tech, finance)
- Strong audience trust (low churn, loyal community)
- Professional quality (good lighting, audio, editing)
- Delivered results for past sponsors (testimonials, case studies)
Factors That DECREASE Your Rate:
- Low engagement (low comment rates)
- Broad/untargeted audience
- Controversial content (brand safety concerns)
- Inconsistent posting (unreliable reach)
- Poor video quality
- No previous sponsor experience
Sponsored Content Types & Pricing
Different types of sponsored content command different rates:
| Content Type | Rate vs. Standard | Duration | Effort Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated video | 1.5-2x | Entire video | High |
| Integrated segment | 1.0x | 2-5 min | Medium |
| Pre-roll mention | 0.3-0.5x | 30-60 sec | Low |
| Mid-roll segment | 0.6-0.8x | 60-90 sec | Medium |
| End-screen mention | 0.2-0.3x | 15-30 sec | Low |
| Social media cross-post | +20-40% | Varies | Low-Medium |
| Multiple video package | -30 to -50% per video | Varies | Medium |
Most common: Integrated segment (60-90 seconds in a regular video)
How Creators Find Sponsorships
Our survey found creators use multiple channels:
| Method | % Using It | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Direct inquiries (brands email you) | 78% | High (warm leads) |
| Sponsorship platforms | 45% | Medium (competitive) |
| Agency representation | 18% | High (for larger channels) |
| Direct outreach to brands | 32% | Low (cold outreach) |
| Referrals from other creators | 25% | Very High |
Best approach: Build a "Work With Me" page and let brands come to you.
Negotiation Tips from 100 Creators
What to Ask Before Pricing:
- Deliverables (video type, length, placement)
- Usage rights (how long they can use the content)
- Exclusivity (can you work with competitors?)
- Performance metrics (are they tracking conversions?)
- Timeline (when will it go live?)
Red Flags to Watch For:
- Brands demanding unlimited usage rights (charge 2-3x)
- Requests for extensive revisions (charge after 2 rounds)
- "Exposure" instead of payment (avoid these)
- Delayed payment terms (net 30+ is risky for small creators)
Pro Tips:
- Anchor high—you can always negotiate down
- Get everything in writing—no verbal agreements
- Ask about long-term partnerships—3+ videos = 20-30% premium
- Charge for revisions—after 2 rounds, charge $50-100/hour
Sponsorship vs. Ad Revenue: The Breakdown
How do sponsorships compare to regular ad revenue?
Real example: 50K view video
- Ad revenue (at $5 RPM): $250
- Sponsorship: ~$1,350
Sponsorships pay 4-5x more than ad revenue for the same views.
But: Sponsorships take more work and aren't guaranteed every video.
Our survey found:
- Average creator: 35% of income from sponsorships
- Top earners: 50%+ from sponsorships
- Most successful: 60-70% from sponsorships + affiliates
Sponsorship Income by Channel Size
What percentage of total income comes from sponsorships?
| Subscribers | Sponsorships % of Income | Avg. Monthly Sponsorship Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1K-10K | 15-25% | $50-$300 |
| 10K-50K | 25-40% | $300-$2,000 |
| 50K-100K | 35-50% | $2,000-$8,000 |
| 100K-250K | 40-60% | $8,000-$25,000 |
| 250K-500K | 45-65% | $25,000-$75,000 |
| 500K+ | 50-70% | $75,000+ |
Larger channels rely more on sponsorships—the income scales better than ad revenue.
Common Sponsorship Mistakes to Avoid
1. Underpricing Your Work
- Problem: Charging based on subscriber count (not views)
- Fix: Use the $270 per 10K views benchmark
2. Not Setting Clear Boundaries
- Problem: Unlimited revisions, scope creep
- Fix: Clear contract with defined deliverables
3. Working with Any Brand
- Problem: Promoting products you don't believe in
- Fix: Only work with brands that align with your values
4. Not Disclosing Sponsored Content
- Problem: Legal issues, audience trust
- Fix: Always disclose (#ad, #sponsored)
5. One-Time Deals Only
- Problem: Constant hunt for new sponsors
- Fix: Pitch long-term partnerships (3-12 month deals)
Building Your Sponsorship Pitch
When brands inquire, successful creators send:
- Media kit (channel stats, demographics, testimonials)
- Rate sheet (clear pricing for different packages)
- Case studies (past sponsor results)
- Video examples (your best sponsored content)
- Timeline (production schedule, availability)
Pro tip: Have a ready-to-send "Work With Me" page on your website.
Key Takeaways
-
Average rate: $270 per 10,000 views—use this as your baseline
-
Views > subscribers—brands care about actual reach, not sub count
-
Niche matters 2-3x—finance channels charge more than gaming
-
Sponsorships pay 4-5x more than ad revenue for the same views
-
Most common: Integrated 60-90 second segment in a regular video
-
Larger channels rely more on sponsorships—50%+ of income for 250K+ channels
-
Always get it in writing—no verbal agreements, clear contracts
Want to calculate your potential sponsorship income? Use our Free Sponsorship Calculator to estimate rates.
For complete monetization data, see our 100 YouTubers Survey Results.