TikTok has transformed how creators earn money from short-form video. But exactly how much does the platform pay? The answer has changed dramatically since TikTok launched its new Creator Rewards Program in 2024.
If you're a content creator wondering whether TikTok is worth your time — or just curious about the economics of viral videos — these statistics break down exactly how much TikTok pays for views, LIVE gifts, and brand deals in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- $400-$1,000 per 1 million views with the new Creator Rewards Program
- The old Creator Fund paid just $20-$40 per 1M views (discontinued Dec 2023)
- Creator Rewards Program pays up to 20x more than the old fund
- Requirements: 10K followers, 100K views in 30 days, videos 1+ minute
- Top TikTok creator Charli D'Amelio earns $17.5 million annually
- Brand sponsorships pay $285-$2,741+ per post depending on follower count
How Much Does TikTok Pay Per 1 Million Views?
1. TikTok's Creator Rewards Program pays $0.40-$1.00 per 1,000 views
Launched in March 2024, the Creator Rewards Program replaced the old Creator Fund. This means creators with 1 million views can earn between $400 and $1,000 — a massive improvement from the old payment structure.
2. The old Creator Fund paid just $0.02-$0.04 per 1,000 views
Before December 2023, TikTok's Creator Fund paid creators between $20-$40 per 1 million views. Many creators complained this rate was unsustainable, earning just pennies for viral content.
| Program | Rate per 1K Views | Per 1M Views | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creator Fund (Old) | $0.02-$0.04 | $20-$40 | Discontinued Dec 2023 |
| Creator Rewards Program | $0.40-$1.00 | $400-$1,000 | Active (March 2024+) |
Important: TikTok only pays for videos that are at least 1 minute long through the Creator Rewards Program. Short clips under 60 seconds don't qualify for monetization.
What Are the Requirements for TikTok's Creator Rewards Program?
3. You need 10,000+ followers to join the Creator Rewards Program
TikTok requires creators to have at least 10,000 followers before they can apply. This threshold ensures only established creators with proven audiences can monetize their content.
4. Creators must have 100,000 views in the last 30 days
Beyond the follower requirement, TikTok also requires 100,000 video views in the past 30 days. This ensures active engagement, not just a large but dormant following.
5. Only videos over 1 minute qualify for payment
This is the biggest change from the old Creator Fund. TikTok now only pays for longer-form content, pushing creators toward more substantial videos rather than quick clips.
6. Content must be original to qualify for monetization
Reposted, dueted, or stitched content doesn't qualify for the Creator Rewards Program. TikTok uses AI to detect original content and only pays for unique creations.
How Does TikTok Pay Compare to YouTube and Instagram?
7. YouTube pays $1-$5 per 1,000 views — still higher than TikTok
YouTube's Partner Program pays significantly more per view than TikTok. A video with 1 million views on YouTube can earn $1,000-$5,000, compared to TikTok's $400-$1,000.
| Platform | Rate per 1K Views | Per 1M Views | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube (Long-form) | $1-$5 | $1,000-$5,000 | 1K subs, 4K watch hours |
| YouTube Shorts | $0.04-$0.06 | $40-$60 | 1K subs, 10M Shorts views |
| TikTok (Creator Rewards) | $0.40-$1.00 | $400-$1,000 | 10K followers, 100K views/month |
| Instagram Reels | $0.05-$0.10 | $50-$100 | Invite-only bonuses |
8. YouTube Shorts pays just $0.04-$0.06 per 1,000 views
Interestingly, TikTok now pays more than YouTube Shorts. A creator with 1 million Shorts views earns only $40-$60, compared to TikTok's $400-$1,000 for the same view count.
9. Instagram Reels pays approximately $0.05-$0.10 per 1,000 views
Instagram's Reels monetization is limited and invite-only. Most creators report earnings of $50-$100 per 1 million views when they're eligible for bonuses.
TikTok vs YouTube Shorts: TikTok's Creator Rewards Program now pays 7-20x more per view than YouTube Shorts, making it the better platform for short-form video monetization.
Who Are the Highest-Paid TikTok Creators?
10. Charli D'Amelio earns $17.5 million annually from TikTok
The most-followed American TikToker, Charli D'Amelio has leveraged her 150+ million followers into a massive income stream through brand deals, her reality show, and merchandise.
11. Khaby Lame, TikTok's most-followed creator, earns $5 million+ per year
The Senegalese-Italian creator rose to fame with his silent comedy videos mocking life hacks. With 162 million followers, he commands premium rates for brand partnerships.
| Creator | Followers | Annual Earnings | Content Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charli D'Amelio | 155M | $17.5 million | Dance, Lifestyle |
| Khaby Lame | 162M | $5 million+ | Comedy, Reactions |
| Addison Rae | 88M | $8.5 million | Dance, Beauty |
| Bella Poarch | 94M | $5 million | Lip-sync, Music |
| MrBeast | 107M | $54 million* | Stunts, Philanthropy |
*MrBeast's earnings include YouTube revenue, which makes up the majority of his income.
12. Top TikTok creators earn $200,000-$500,000 per sponsored post
For mega-influencers with tens of millions of followers, a single brand partnership post can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars — far exceeding what view-based monetization pays.
How Much Do TikTok LIVE Gifts Pay?
13. TikTok takes a 50% cut of all LIVE gift earnings
When fans send virtual gifts during livestreams, TikTok keeps half the value. Creators receive "Diamonds" which can be converted to cash at a rate of approximately $0.005 per diamond.
14. 1 diamond equals approximately $0.005 USD
Diamonds are TikTok's internal currency for creators. To earn $100, a creator needs to accumulate 20,000 diamonds from their viewers' gifts.
15. Top LIVE streamers can earn $2,000-$5,000+ per hour
While average creators earn modest amounts from LIVE gifts, top streamers with engaged audiences report earning thousands during popular streams, especially during special events.
| Gift | Coin Cost (to viewer) | Diamond Value | Creator Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose | 1 coin | 0.5 diamonds | ~$0.0025 |
| Ice Cream | 5 coins | 2.5 diamonds | ~$0.0125 |
| Drama Queen | 5,000 coins | 2,500 diamonds | ~$12.50 |
| Lion | 29,999 coins | 15,000 diamonds | ~$75.00 |
How Much Do TikTok Creators Earn from Brand Sponsorships?
16. Nano-influencers (1K-10K followers) earn $50-$285 per sponsored post
Even small creators can land brand deals. While earnings are modest, nano-influencers often have highly engaged niche audiences that brands value.
17. Micro-influencers (10K-50K followers) earn $285-$573 per post
At this level, creators start seeing more consistent brand interest. Micro-influencers are popular with brands seeking authentic engagement without celebrity costs.
| Influencer Tier | Followers | Avg. Earnings Per Post |
|---|---|---|
| Nano | 1K-10K | $50-$285 |
| Micro | 10K-50K | $285-$573 |
| Mid-tier | 50K-100K | $573-$1,147 |
| Macro | 100K-500K | $1,147-$2,741 |
| Mega | 500K+ | $2,741-$50,000+ |
18. Macro-influencers (100K-500K) earn $1,147-$2,741 per post
At this tier, brand sponsorships become a primary income source. Many macro-influencers earn more from 2-3 sponsorships than they would from millions of views.
19. Brand sponsorships typically pay 10-100x more than view-based monetization
A creator with 1 million views might earn $400-$1,000 from TikTok directly. But a single brand deal at that audience size could pay $2,000-$10,000, making sponsorships the real money-maker.
Pro Tip: Most successful TikTok creators say sponsorships make up 80-90% of their income, with the Creator Rewards Program acting as supplementary earnings.
TikTok Creator Economy Statistics
20. TikTok has over 1.5 billion monthly active users worldwide
The platform's massive audience creates opportunities for creators across every niche. This user base grew from 700 million in 2020, more than doubling in just four years.
21. The average TikTok user spends 95 minutes per day on the app
This engagement level surpasses YouTube (74 minutes), Instagram (51 minutes), and Facebook (49 minutes). More time spent means more views for creators.
22. TikTok generated $14.3 billion in revenue in 2024
The platform's advertising revenue continues to grow rapidly. This money comes from brands advertising to TikTok's highly-engaged user base.
23. Over 2 million creators are actively monetizing on TikTok
Competition is fierce. Only a small percentage of TikTok's creators earn significant income, with most earnings concentrated among top-tier influencers.
Tips for Maximizing TikTok Earnings
24. Videos over 1 minute are required for Creator Rewards payment
The most important rule: short clips under 60 seconds earn nothing from TikTok directly. Plan content that naturally extends to at least one minute.
25. Original content earns more than reposted or stitched videos
TikTok's algorithm rewards originality. Completely original videos qualify for higher payouts through the Creator Rewards Program.
26. US, UK, and EU views typically pay higher rates
Not all views are worth the same. Views from high-value advertising markets (US, UK, Germany, France) generate higher CPMs than views from other regions.
27. Consistency matters: posting 1-3 times daily increases earnings potential
The algorithm favors active creators. Those who post consistently see better reach and, consequently, higher earnings from both views and sponsorship opportunities.
The Bottom Line
TikTok's Creator Rewards Program has dramatically improved earnings for content creators. With payments of $400-$1,000 per million views, it now outpaces YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels for short-form video monetization.
However, the real money on TikTok comes from brand sponsorships, which can pay 10-100x more than view-based earnings. The most successful creators use TikTok's built-in monetization as a supplement while focusing on building an audience that attracts high-paying brand partnerships.
Key requirements to remember: 10,000+ followers, 100,000+ views in the last 30 days, videos over 1 minute, and original content. Meet these thresholds, and you can start earning from every view.