They get millions of dollars.. Get to know the highest-paid TikTok stars

Every day, millions of people around the world use TikTok to watch short videos. The social media app has become a global phenomenon and created a new generation of influencers with millions of followers.

With TikTok's highest-paid stars making millions of dollars a year, aspiring content creators are trying to achieve similar success.

Once known as an app for dances and funny videos, TikTok has quickly evolved into one of the most popular social media platforms.

The app surpassed 1.04 billion users worldwide in 2024, making it the fifth most popular social media platform.

TikTok stars are a big part of the app’s success. The influencer marketing industry is expected to reach $24 billion this year.

In the following article, we will try to study how much a typical content creator can expect to earn, in addition to the large numbers that the highest-paid TikTok stars get.

Who are the TikTok stars?

TikTok stars are content creators with a large following of engaged followers on the platform, who have mastered the art of attracting millions of users through short, creative video content and authentic personalities.

TikTok star marketing provides brands with a great opportunity to connect with their target audience.

Brands can partner with content creators in a variety of ways, such as sponsored videos, product placements, or branded challenges.

Average income of TikTok stars

Data shows that TikTok stars in the US earn an average salary of $131,874 per year.

While that number is certainly large, looking at the average salary can be a bit misleading, as the highest-paid TikTok stars can sometimes command 7- or 8-figure salaries.

The highest-paid TikTok stars are an average salary, and do not necessarily reflect what the vast majority of TikTok creators earn on the platform.

Typical TikTok Star Earnings

NeoReach 's 2023 Creator Earnings and Insights Report takes a closer look at the typical salary for influencers and content creators, and here are the details from the study:

• 48% earned less than $15,000.
• 9% earned between $15,000 and $25,000.
• 7% earned between $25,000 and $35,000.
• 5% earned between $35,000 and $50,000.
• 11% earned between $50,000 and $75,000.
• 5% earned between $75,000 and $100,000.
• 6% earned between $100,000 and $150,000.
• 7% earned $200,000 or more.

Based on these figures, the average TikTok star salary ranges from $15,000 to $25,000. Nearly a third of TikTok stars are paid full-time.

While most TikTok stars only earn a few thousand dollars a year, the highest-paid TikTok stars earn millions through commercial partnerships they've gained through the app.

This list covers the highest paid TikTok stars:

Charli D'Amelio

• Estimated earnings: $17.5 million.
• TikTok followers: 155.7 million.

Charli D'Amelio started her TikTok career in 2019 by posting dance videos, and quickly became the most-followed influencer on the platform. She has since worked with brands including CeraVe , Prada , and Dunkin' Donuts , and has her own show on Hulu with her sister Dixie.

Dixie D'Amelio

• Estimated earnings: $10 million
• TikTok followers: 55.7 million

Charli's older sister Dixie D'Amelio has taken a similar path on TikTok. Her success on the platform helped launch her singing career. Brands Diski has worked with on TikTok include Warner Bros. , LaRoche , and Puma .

Addison Rae

• Estimated earnings: $8.5 million.
• TikTok followers: 88.8 million.

From Louisiana cheerleader to TikTok star, Addison Rae has captivated millions with her hip dance videos since 2019. Her vibrant personality shines through in every post. Her followers helped her launch her makeup brand Item Beauty and land starring roles in the movies He's All That and Thanksgiving . Rae has also partnered with Google and Samsung.

Khaby Lame

• Estimated earnings: $5 million.
• TikTok followers: 162.8 million.

Khaby Lame doesn’t post dance videos. Instead, he creates comedic skits that often parody other popular TikTok videos. The Italian-Senegalese creator’s wordless reactions to incredibly complicated life hacks helped propelled him to TikTok stardom. His expressive face and signature hand gestures that need no translation propelled him to global stardom. Lame has ongoing brand partnerships with State Farm and Hugo Boss .

Bella Porsche

• Estimated earnings: $5 million.
• TikTok followers: 94.5 million.

Before becoming a TikTok star, Bella Porch was a member of the US Navy who rose to stardom by posting lip-syncing, gaming, and cosplay videos on TikTok. She has business partnerships with esports tournaments 100 Thieves and FeZa Clan and began recording and releasing her own music in 2021.

Josh Richards

• Estimated earnings: $5 million.
• TikTok followers: 25.6 million.

Ontario-born Josh Richards rose to fame on TikTok by posting a variety of content. Since becoming a TikTok star, Richards has signed a recording contract, landed roles in multiple feature films, and helped start a venture capital firm.

Chris Collins

• Estimated earnings: $4.75 million.
• TikTok followers: 50.8 million.

The second Canadian on this list, Kris Collins (aka KallMeKris ), started making TikTok videos during the coronavirus lockdown. Her comedic videos, in which she plays multiple characters, quickly went viral, amassing a huge following and leading to business partnerships with Amazon and Lion Gate (Lionsgate ) and Pantene .

Avani Greg

• Estimated earnings: $4.75 million.
• TikTok followers: 42.1 million.

Avani Gregg gained her following on TikTok by posting educational content in the form of detailed makeup tutorials. She has partnered with several fashion brands, including Rue21 and Morphe .

Zach King

• Estimated earnings: $3 million.
• TikTok followers: 82.2 million.

At 34, Zach King is the oldest influencer on this list and has been on social media since before TikTok. He started posting on TikTok in 2011 and built a following on Vine before moving to TikTok in 2016. His magic trick videos have garnered over 80 million followers. The film school graduate applies his artistic skills to create short, family-friendly content that leaves viewers scratching their heads.

Riaz Ali

• Estimated earnings: $2 million.
• TikTok followers: 46.9 million.

Riyaz Ali is an Indian teenager whose dance videos helped him gain a huge following before TikTok was banned in India. His last video on the app was in 2020, though he has since started building a new following on Instagram.

How much do the highest paid TikTok stars earn?

These earnings are based on the TikTok Money Calculator, which allows you to calculate someone’s estimated earnings from their TikTok account based on engagement and follower count. While these numbers may not be exact, they do give you some insight into the highest-paid TikTok stars.

Khaby Lame

Khaby Lame earns $260,476 per video. For larger commercial projects, that can go up to $750,000 per video. Lame’s rise from factory worker to social media star embodies the transformative power of the internet. His clever, wordless reaction videos on TikTok have captured our hearts and minds, with everyone loving his hilarious and entertaining reactions. You can’t help but laugh at the videos, which often feature him simplifying very complex life stories. His silent, sarcastic style of comedy has become a global phenomenon.

Charli D'Amelio

Aside from her collaborations with brands like Dunkin Donuts, D'Amelio earns up to $249,200 per TikTok video. Her dance videos are hugely popular on TikTok. She started posting on TikTok when she was 15 years old and now has over 154 million followers on TikTok.

James Donaldson

With millions of views from fans around the world, James Donaldson, better known by his alias MrBeast , earns up to $167,140 per video he posts on TikTok. One of the pioneers of the modern-day influencer industry, Donaldson is known for donating large sums of money in videos, which certainly contributes to his popularity, and he once even gifted an entire house to a child.

Bella Porsche

Bella Porsche has gained massive popularity in recent years, amassing tens of millions of followers who watch her every move. Porsche now earns up to $151,236 per TikTok video. Her cute and cute videos propelled her to fame in 2020.

Addison Rae

Between dance content and fashion, Addison Rae earns up to $142,053 per TikTok video. A multi-skilled artist who has captivated millions with her trendy clips, she is now one of the top creators on the platform.

Kimberly Louisa

Kimberly Loaiza earns up to $131,707 per video and is one of the most prominent Latina influencers. She has expanded her reach by moving from YouTube to TikTok, attracting a wider audience. Her style blends everyday home life with casualness.

Zach King

Known for his creative videos and visual effects, Zach King earns up to $131,532 per TikTok video. King’s magic and digital illusion videos earn him an estimated $4.7 million a year. With a background in film studies, he captivates viewers by seamlessly blending digital effects into his magical short videos.

Will Smith

Will Smith earns up to $120,453 per TikTok video. Smith has used his movie fame to build an audience on TikTok. He shares glimpses into his personal life and career through everyday moments. His ability to blend Hollywood glamour with a realistic approach makes his content unique and fresh. Smith’s seamless transition from traditional media to digital platforms highlights his ability to adapt, and because of this, he continues to connect with fans across generations.

Burak Ozdemir

Burak Ozdemir is more than just a chef, he is also a creator who can make $120,039 per TikTok video. Also known as “ Czn Burak, a Turkish chef known for his cooking videos. In the videos, Ozdemir prepares large-scale dishes with a smile directly in front of the camera. His engaging style and unique presentation have made him a social media sensation. Ozdemir uses his platform to promote Turkish cuisine around the world and is involved in charitable activities, especially within his local community in Turkey.

Dwayne Johnson

With a slew of fitness videos, brand endorsements, and collaborations with creators on his page, Dwayne Johnson, better known as The Rock , earns a whopping $119,896 per TikTok video. From wrestling in WWE to singing and acting, Johnson is a multi-talented artist. He has gained over 74 million followers on TikTok, and is also one of the few actors who has successfully established himself as a fitness influencer.

And in case you're wondering where the highest-paid TikTok stars get their money, there are many ways to do so.

How do TikTok stars make money?

When it comes to the earning potential of TikTok stars, there is no limit, as there are different sources of income available to TikTok stars.

Brand Partnerships

The entire creator economy revolves around creators endorsing brands’ products, and this is especially true on platforms like TikTok, where creators can’t make money passively through advertising. On TikTok, brands typically pay influencers a flat rate to create posts promoting their products.

66.9% of creators say they earn the most income from sponsored posts and brand deals. Here’s a look at how much TikTok stars can earn per sponsored post based on their follower count — note that these numbers are average estimates, and actual earnings can vary widely based on many factors, like engagement rates, audience demographics, and negotiation skills:

• If the number of followers is between 1,000 and 10,000 followers, the content creator earns $20 per post as a minimum and $150 as a maximum.
• If the number of followers is between 10,000 and 50,000 followers, the content creator earns $30 per post as a minimum and $400 as a maximum.
• If the number of followers is between 50,000 and 500,000 followers, the content creator earns $80 per post as a minimum and $1,650 as a maximum.
• If the number of followers is between 500 thousand followers and one million followers, the content creator earns $150 per post as a minimum and $3,500 as a maximum.
• If the number of followers is more than 1 million followers, the content creator earns $ 1,200 per post at the minimum.

Creators Fund

In July 2020, TikTok launched the Creator Fund in the US, UK, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. The fund pays creators based on the number of views their videos receive. To be eligible for the fund, creators must have at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 video views in the past 30 days.