This Is How Much YouTube Paid Me for My 1,000,000 Viewed Video

Here is the answer to the question that everyone asks me

Shelby Church
OneZero
Published in
5 min readApr 3, 2020

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The numbers may surprise you! Photo: Shelby Church

I started making videos in 2009, back before being a YouTuber was a thing. I always enjoyed editing videos and photos and started posting them on YouTube when I was 14. I was too young to drive, didn’t live within walking distance to any of my friends, and had way too much time on my hands. Back then I never would have dreamed that this thing I did in the summer because I was bored would become what it is now. I just enjoyed putting together these videos, and for years I didn’t make any money from any of them.

I’ve been on YouTube for over 10 years, and I’ve been lucky enough to have a few videos hit that 1,000,000 mark. One question I’m constantly asked is how much money I make. Seriously, everyone asks me this. Uber drivers, distant friends, relatives — everyone. For some reason, the etiquette of not prying into one’s finances just does not apply to YouTubers.

And I totally get it. Becoming a YouTuber is one of those things that feels within the realm of possibility for just about anyone. People are curious because they want to know if it could be worth their time. So, how much do YouTubers make?

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