YouTube isn’t just a place to watch funny videos or music anymore, it has now become a serious job creator and money-maker. According to a new report by Oxford Economics, YouTube’s creative ecosystem added $55 billion to the U.S. economy and supported over 490,000 full-time jobs in 2024.
That’s a huge jump from 2022, when YouTube contributed $35 billion and supported about 390,000 jobs. In just two years, it added 100,000 jobs and $20 billion more to the economy.
But when YouTube talks about its “creative ecosystem,” it doesn’t just mean big-name creators. It also includes video editors, managers, assistants, and people working at platforms like Patreon, Linktree, and Spotter that help creators earn and grow.
One of the reasons YouTube stands out is how it pays creators. If you qualify for the YouTube Partner Program, you get to keep 55% of the ad revenue your videos make. That can mean thousands of dollars a month, even for smaller creators. While apps like TikTok are still figuring out how to pay people well, YouTube’s model has proven more reliable.
Even with all this success, many creators still face issues—like trouble getting business loans or credit cards, even if they’re earning good money. That’s why U.S. lawmakers have launched a new Congressional Creators Caucus to support people in this growing industry.
So next time you watch a YouTube video, remember that behind the scenes, it’s part of a massive economy that’s helping nearly half a million people earn a living and growing fast.
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