TikTok vs YouTube Earnings Comparison for US Creators: 2026 Data

The per-view revenue gap between YouTube and TikTok is substantial and well-documented:

YouTube long-form (US): $5-$8 RPM average, up to $40+ in finance niches
YouTube Shorts (US): $0.04-$0.10 RPM
TikTok Creativity Program (US): $0.50-$1.00 per 1,000 qualified views
Instagram Reels: Highly variable, ~$0.01-$0.05 RPM

For ad revenue specifically, YouTube long-form content pays 5-16x more than TikTok per view. The math is stark:
- 1M YouTube long-form views: $5,000-$8,000
- 1M TikTok qualified views: $500-$1,000
- 1M YouTube Shorts views: $40-$100

However, comparing raw per-view rates without context is misleading. TikTok videos routinely reach 10x more viewers than YouTube videos from the same creator. A TikTok video with 5M views ($2,500-$5,000) may come from the same effort as a YouTube video with 200K views ($1,000-$1,600).

The production time difference also matters. A polished YouTube video takes 10-40 hours. A TikTok video takes 30 minutes to 3 hours. Adjusted for time, TikTok's lower per-view rate is partially offset by higher efficiency.

Sponsored content rates are surprisingly similar across platforms for US creators at equivalent audience sizes:

| Follower Count | YouTube Rate/Video | TikTok Rate/Video |
|---|---|---|
| 10K-50K | $500-$2,000 | $300-$1,500 |
| 50K-100K | $1,500-$5,000 | $1,000-$4,000 |
| 100K-500K | $3,000-$10,000 | $2,500-$8,000 |
| 500K-1M | $8,000-$25,000 | $5,000-$20,000 |
| 1M+ | $15,000-$50,000+ | $10,000-$40,000+ |

Data sources: Aspire, Klear, NeoReach creator rate benchmarks, 2025.

YouTube commands slightly higher rates because YouTube videos have a longer shelf life (searchable for years) and reach an older, higher-income audience. TikTok videos are more ephemeral but can reach larger audiences quickly.

Brand deal volume favors TikTok for consumer brands (beauty, fashion, food, apps) and YouTube for B2B brands (software, finance, professional services). Creators on both platforms typically receive more inbound brand interest on TikTok due to its cultural relevance, but YouTube deals tend to pay more per partnership.

The most lucrative approach is being active on both platforms, which allows you to offer brands multi-platform packages at premium rates.

For new creators, TikTok's algorithm is dramatically more favorable for rapid audience building:

Time to reach 10,000 followers (median for active creators):
- TikTok: 2-4 months (posting 1-3x daily)
- YouTube: 6-18 months (posting 2-4x weekly)
- Instagram: 4-12 months (posting daily with Reels)

Time to reach 100,000 followers:
- TikTok: 6-18 months
- YouTube: 18-48 months
- Instagram: 12-36 months

TikTok's algorithm gives new creators significant distribution to non-followers, creating viral opportunities from day one. YouTube's algorithm favors established channels with watch history and subscriber bases.

This growth speed advantage means TikTok creators can access brand deals and platform monetization much sooner. A creator who reaches 50K TikTok followers in 4 months and starts earning $2,000/month from brand deals would need 12-24 months to reach the equivalent position on YouTube.

However, YouTube audiences are stickier. YouTube subscribers watch content more consistently than TikTok followers. A YouTube channel with 100K subscribers might get 50-200K views per video, while a TikTok account with 100K followers might get 5K-500K views per video (more variable). YouTube's consistency provides more predictable income.

Comparing total annual income for US creators at similar audience sizes:

At ~100K audience (combined income from all sources):
- YouTube creator: $30,000-$120,000/year
- TikTok creator: $20,000-$80,000/year
- Multi-platform (both): $50,000-$180,000/year

YouTube wins on total income at equivalent audience sizes primarily because of higher ad revenue and longer content shelf life. But TikTok creators often reach 100K followers faster, making the cumulative earnings over a 3-year period potentially comparable.

The optimal 2026 strategy for US creators:
1. Start on TikTok for rapid audience building. Post 1-3 short videos daily.
2. Repurpose top TikTok content to YouTube Shorts for additional growth.
3. Create long-form YouTube content once you have validated your niche on TikTok. Use TikTok to test which topics resonate.
4. Monetize both platforms — TikTok for brand deals and Creativity Program revenue, YouTube for ad revenue and long-term searchable content.
5. Diversify across both — affiliate links on YouTube descriptions, TikTok Shop on TikTok, memberships on YouTube.

Creators who are active on both platforms earn 50-100% more than single-platform creators at similar total audience sizes, according to a 2025 ConvertKit creator economy report.

The exception: If you create highly searchable, evergreen content (tutorials, reviews, educational content), YouTube alone may be sufficient since the long-tail search traffic provides consistent views and revenue for years.