Study finds creator economy is growing with a widening monetization gap

According to NeoReach’s latest Creator Earnings Report, the creator economy grew by 19% in 2025. There are now more than 127 million active creators worldwide. However, most still earn relatively modest incomes each year. The report found that over half of the surveyed creators earn less than $15,000 annually, while only 5% earn more than $200,000, revealing a significant earnings gap between top creators and the rest.

New creators earn less

The report is based on responses from over 3,000 creators with a combined following of 1.1 billion. The data shows that experience plays a major role in income. Creators with less than one year in the industry earn an average of under $20,000, while those with four or more years of experience average over $100,000 annually.

Several factors contribute to this gap, including lower starting incomes for new creators, platform monetization rules and content type. For example, creators focused on art or politics are among the lowest paid, as these categories are often deprioritized by platform algorithms.

Having a management helps

Representation can make a substantial difference in a creator’s income. According to the report, creators with agents or management teams earn three times more than those without. Management can help negotiate brand deals, handle contracts and connect creators with larger opportunities they might not find on their own. This professional support allows creators to focus more on content while still growing their business.

Female vs. male creators

The report also highlights a gender earnings gap, with male creators earning approximately $8,500 more per year than female creators. While the report does not delve deeply into the causes, this disparity may be influenced by a range of factors including brand deal rates, niche monetization differences, audience size and systemic bias within the industry.

Passing the income threshold

For the creators surveyed in the report, reaching the $15,000 annual earnings mark appears to be a turning point, as many creators see their income grow more quickly once they surpass this threshold.

NeoReach suggests that finding fairer ways to help more creators reach steady and higher incomes could strengthen the creator industry and provide more people with opportunities to succeed.