5 Types of Content Creators Who Make the Most Money (and Why)

So you want to become a content creator? There are probably 2 big questions on your mind:

1. Is content creation a legitimate career?

While the US Census Bureau doesn’t list content creation among its 22,000 recognized occupations, no one can deny that this is a legitimate career. By one estimate, there are nearly 27 million paid content creators in the US, with 12 million creating full-time. That’s more than 10 times the number of police officers, doctors, or lawyers.

2. Can you actually make money from it?

Absolutely. But income can vary widely. The latest Creator Earnings Report showed that while more than 50% of creators earn less than $15,000 annually, a handful are raking in more than $200,000. And this doesn’t even include big shots like MrBeast who roll in the millions.

One of the biggest factors that determines your earning potential? The niche you pick, or in other words, what your content is about. Think: travel, fitness, cooking, relationships, sports, and more.

In this guide, I reveal which types of content creators make the most money and what other factors influence income, so you can play your cards right from the get-go.

The Highest Earning Creator Niches

As a seasoned content creator who made over $25,000 in the first 6 months, I know a thing or two about which content creators cash the biggest checks. Let’s get straight to it.

1. Personal finance & investing

Income for finance creators varies considerably based on their following, platforms, and monetization streams, but tends to be on the higher end among creators.

For example, Humphrey Yang earns around $300,000 per year, while Graham Stephan’s reported earnings were over $2 million.

What do personal finance & investing creators do day-to-day?

Personal finance and investing creators produce videos, newsletters, podcasts, and even short-form content around budgeting, investing, credit, real estate, crypto, and money psychology. Many break down daily market news, compare financial tools, or offer step-by-step guides for building wealth.

What makes their audience valuable?

According to a recent poll, 20% of Americans use social media for financial advice—that’s a big audience.

Finance and investing audiences are actively making high-stakes decisions with real money. They have high intent and are more likely to stick with a creator they find credible and trustworthy. In cases where they already have disposable income to invest, they’re also more likely to buy what you’re selling.

How does money typically enter the relationship?

Banks, fintechs, insurance companies, and other brands partner with successful finance creators, hoping their audiences will sign up for their platforms or purchase their products.

Beyond brand deals, though, finance creators also sell guides, host coaching sessions, or earn through memberships and subscriptions on platforms like Fanvue.

LaBoy touched on this shift as well: “Smart creators are realizing they need to own their audience and diversify. They're building private communities with subscriber-only content, selling courses and downloads, and leveraging affiliate income.”

What makes it challenging to enter this niche?

Not everyone has the financial literacy to create content in this space. Audiences are also more likely to trust finance creators backed by credentials like an MBA, CFA, etc., or someone with strong proof that they’ve created wealth. Even if you use AI tools like ChatGPT to create content, they’re not always accurate, so there’s a risk of losing credibility with your supporters.

Actions you can take now

• Focus on one financial topic—such as budgeting, credit, or beginner investing—and create a series around it. Share it on platforms like TikTok for short-form videos or YouTube for in-depth lessons.
• Share your processes and ways of thinking in real time, not just outcomes.
• Start an email list or private community on Fanvue to test paid products, such as a finance mini-course.

2. AI & Tech education

Just as AI is taking over the world, it’s also becoming a dominant topic in the creator space. The Creator Earnings Report estimates that, on average, tech creators make just over $80,000 per year.

What do AI & Tech education creators do day-to-day?

These creators often spend their day demystifying the latest AI tools, software, automation hacks, and tech trends. This could look like tutorials—like how to use a new app, tool comparisons, or a video showing an AI expert’s own productivity workflows.

What makes their audience valuable?

Tech and AI audiences either:

• Already use the tools and want to get more proficient
• Have subscribed and want to make the most of their purchase
• Have AI FOMO—the feeling of getting left behind if they don’t learn AI

They not only have high intent, but with tech and AI nowhere near peaking, they’re likely here for the long haul.

How does money typically enter the relationship?

Whatever their reason for learning about AI, this audience is likely willing to pay. In fact, Udemy has seen 11 million GenAI course enrollments to date.

AI and tech creators can make the most money through paid digital courses, consulting services, or sponsored collaborations with startups.

What makes it challenging to enter this niche?

AI is still relatively new, and it's moving faster than people can keep up with. That means most people aren't skilled enough to create content in this vertical, and it's limited to a small group of experts.

Actions you can take now

• Pick one tech or AI tool you’ve mastered and publish a series of posts or tutorials around it.
• Show real workflows, prompts, or automations you use to save time at work or in your personal life. You can even make this exclusive and put it behind a paywall on Fanvue.
• Test which digital products are capturing interest and start selling them on social platforms and Fanvue.

3. Health, fitness & wellness

There’s a reason that the Sohee Lees of the world have done so well. They’re selling something everyone wants: health, fitness, and wellness. It’s no wonder that health and fitness creators have an average annual income of over $60,000.

What do health, fitness & wellness creators do day-to-day?

Health and fitness creators spend their days:

• Creating content on their workout routines
• Providing nutrition tips
• Discussing mental wellness practices
• Sharing longevity research
• Conducting product reviews

What makes their audience valuable?

A recent survey shows that health and fitness goals are the most popular New Year's resolutions. Some struggle with sticking to their goals. Think about how often people lose weight only to gain it back or give up sugar every Monday, only to lose the battle every Friday.

Meanwhile, those who achieve their desired outcome want to keep growing—for example, they strive to lift heavier, run faster, and so on.

Ultimately, both groups are motivated to take action, and once they find a creator they trust, they’ll keep coming back for support.

How does money typically enter the relationship?

This high-intent audience is willing to pay for an expert’s help in accomplishing their goals. You can sell fitness content subscriptions, online coaching, and even branded gear and supplements with affiliate links.

What’s more, since wellness encompasses multiple sub-niches such as workouts, nutrition, and mental health, creators often bundle offers, cross-sell, and collaborate with complementary creators to build connections with different audiences.

What makes it challenging to enter this niche?

Some creators struggle with affording healthy or organic products, fancy gym memberships, or home workout equipment, making it harder to create content. Additionally, audiences tend to trust creators who “look” mentally and physically fit, which is challenging if you’re still working on your goals. That said, people still enjoy—and feel inspired— watching creators’ transformations, so there’s room for beginners, too.

Actions you can take now

• Start small by posting your favorite workout routines each week.
• Post a fitness/wellness haul of products you love, and consider sharing them as paid live reviews on platforms like Fanvue.
• Reach out to an upcoming health and wellness brand for an affiliate deal.

4. Beauty & skincare

Beauty creators can make an average of nearly $70,000 per year, with strong potential to earn even more. Safiya Nygaard, a leading beauty influencer, makes over $190,000 per YouTube video. 

What do beauty & skincare creators do day-to-day?

Beauty and skincare creators typically:

• Share skincare reviews
• Make demo videos
• Host “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) routines
• Provide ingredient breakdowns for products
• Film tutorials on social media

What makes their audience valuable?

This audience dreams of beautiful hair, flawless skin, and perfect makeup. It’s one of the most aspirational content categories today. But with so many “hacks” and products out there, they need someone who can separate fact from fiction. Once you become that person for them, they’re likely to stay loyal and purchase what you recommend.

How does money typically enter the relationship?

Beauty audiences can spend hours watching and engaging with your content, generating revenue from ads and fan interactions.

Some trust their favorite beauty guru enough to purchase products on blind faith, bringing money through brand and affiliate deals. In fact, there’s something called the Alix Earle effect, where a famous influencer on TikTok is known for selling anything in minutes.

Many beauty and skincare creators have even built their own product lines—Huda Kattan is a great example. There’s truly endless scope to monetize in this niche.

What makes it challenging to enter this niche?

This space is already crowded with creators talking about the same products, making it hard to stand out. Audiences are also wary of paid reviews and exaggerated claims, so you have to work hard to gain trust. Finally, for newcomers, getting access to products isn’t cheap or easy—brands don’t provide free products to creators unless they’re “big enough.”

Actions you can take now

• Start a “first impressions” series where you share new drugstore beauty products.
• Document product use over time and compare your first thoughts to your final ones.
• Post your AM/PM beauty or skincare routines.

5. Business & entrepreneurship

Let’s get down to business, shall we? Business and entrepreneurship creators also rank among the most lucrative creator niches, with an average annual income of nearly $80,000.

What do business & entrepreneurship creators do day-to-day?

These creators typically create business-related content, including digital marketing, leadership, sales funnels, and startup strategies. They often create tutorials or frameworks that help people succeed in their ventures and spend time finding case studies to support their ideas.

What makes their audience valuable?

This audience may have invested time and money in their business and wants tips on how to succeed. Or maybe they're still working a full-time job but aspire to become entrepreneurs. Either way, this group has high intent and drive.

How does money typically enter the relationship?

In this niche, you can sell big-ticket items like coaching packages, short-term courses, and comprehensive guides. Importantly, you’re giving them your expert opinion and providing consulting services, which justifies a higher price point (and more income for you).

Some creators also earn revenue from referrals and brand deals with business apps such as Asana, QuickBooks, and Shopify.

What makes it challenging to enter this niche?

For audiences in this niche, understanding business and entrepreneurship might not be enough. They expect proven expertise and real-world results—it’s hard to earn trust without these. Additionally, with many established voices to compete with, you’ll need a clear, differentiated point of view to set yourself apart.

Actions you can take now

• Start publishing actionable B2B videos—for example, how to scale ad funnels—and include tool recommendations that you actually use in real life or “IRL”.
• Share BTS content, covering both successes and failures.
• Offer a limited, exclusive cohort access to your business accelerator program on platforms like Fanvue.

Not An Expert In These Niches? You Can Still Make Money

Now you know which niches make the most moolah. But that doesn’t mean you have to choose one of those niches. Here are some hidden factors that play a key role in your earning potential.

Your passion and expertise

Success isn’t just about choosing a lucrative specialty; it’s about picking something that you can do well.

Here’s what Julia LaBoy, an influencer talent manager, said when I interviewed her: “The highest-earning creators are thought leaders who've established themselves as the go-to authority in their niche.”

“Whether they're medical professionals, top-tier DIY talents, or B2B experts, what sets them apart is credibility,” LaBoy added.

So pick something you’re an expert in, or an area you’re passionate about. When you choose something you connect with deeply, it motivates you to create, stay consistent, and monetize your work without burning out. It also signals to your audience that you know what you’re talking about.

Questions to ask yourself when choosing a niche

• What do people already come to me for?
• What topic could I keep creating about long-term without burning out?
• What lived experience gives me a real perspective here?
• Who do I want my content to help or speak to?
• What am I comfortable being known for? Does it align with my values?

Audience behavior

Does your audience:

• Watch your content fully?
• Participate in your polls?
• Leave comments?
• Save and share posts?
• Attend your live streams?

When audiences are engaged, it signals trust to brands and platforms, increases visibility through algorithms, and creates more monetization opportunities through clicks and conversions, too.

Their willingness to pay

Willingness to pay goes beyond engagement. For example, someone who religiously shares a creator’s TikToks might never join their $5 per month membership or purchase their products.

That’s why you must actively invest in supporters who are willing to pay for access to you. Funneling your most loyal social media followers to a paid platform like Fanvue is a great way to spot fans who’ll pay. They’ll subscribe to your content, purchase memberships, and buy recommended products, resulting in a steadier income that doesn’t rely on brand algorithms or platform payouts.

How connected they feel to creators

When your audience feels seen and supported, they’re more likely to trust you, vouch for your opinions, trust your instincts, and pay for closer access to your content.

This is where social media falls short. It’s great for discovery—you find your audience, and they find your content. But it’s not ideal for deepening connections, especially as your following grows. How many DMs and comments can you reply to in a single day?

Luckily, platforms like Fanvue not only provide the right tools for depth—private communities, exclusive content, and direct interaction—but also offer AI tools to continue monetizing behind the scenes.

Final Thoughts

Today, content creation has become a real profession, and some people are making good money from it. How much you’ll earn as a creator depends on several factors, including the niche you choose. Finance, AI, health, beauty, and business are some of the highest-paying specialties in the creator economy.

But if these aren’t for you, that’s okay, too. Because no matter what niche you pick, you can earn well if your audience deeply connects with you as a creator.

With Fanvue, you can build deeper relationships with your fans and earn a predictable and sustainable income.