A new report from NeoReach outlines a growing problem in the creator economy. Though more people are entering the space and overall revenue continues to rise, most full-time creators are still earning less than what’s needed to make ends meet.

The 2025 Creator Earnings Report draws on survey data from over 3,000 content creators who collectively reach more than one billion followers. This year’s findings paint a mixed picture. The creator economy has expanded by roughly 19% since January, and the number of full-time creators has jumped by nearly 14%. Even so, 56.55% of those who consider content their main job reported earning below a living wage. That share has climbed from 48% in the previous year.

The data shows a pattern that NeoReach now labels the “monetization barrier.” Creators earning under $15,000 per year tend to remain in that range unless they make a sharp shift in direction. Passing this threshold appears to mark a turning point, with those earning above it gaining better income and broader reach. However, only a small number manage to break through. About 5% of respondents reported earning more than $200,000 annually.

Experience plays a key role. Creators who have been active for less than a year typically earn below $20,000. Those with four or more years under their belt earn, on average, more than five times that amount. Audience size also matters. About 44% of creators in the survey had fewer than 100,000 followers, and most of them fell below the income threshold.

Other factors affect income as well. Those with agency support tend to earn three times more than creators without management. Brand ownership also makes a difference. Creators who run their own product lines earn twice as much as those who do not.

Content type influences earnings. Creators who produce time-consuming or niche content often find themselves squeezed by platform algorithms. Art and illustration ranked low on revenue generation. Political and news content ranked at the bottom, with creators in those areas reporting the least income. Changes in platform policy appear to contribute to the drop.

The report also reveals persistent income gaps by gender and race. Despite an equal number of male and female respondents, male creators reported earning roughly $8,500 more per year than female creators. Black creators also reported lower earnings on average than white creators, showing that inequality within the field remains unresolved.

NeoReach publishes this data every year to help industry players understand shifts in the market. The insights offer a clearer view of how creators operate, where growth is happening, and which obstacles continue to block progress.

Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen.

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