How Much Do ASMR YouTubers Make: Complete Breakdown & Monetization Guide
ASMRtists with under 10,000 subscribers can still make a good income. I know this because I was able to cover all of my living costs in my third month as an ASMRtists with just under 5,000 followers.
But most ASMR creators don’t realize there are so many different ways to monetize your videos – and not just with YouTube ads.
Let’s look at how ASMRtists turn their videos into a living and answer the question: “How much do ASMR YouTubers make?” Skip to the end and see the actual number.
How Does an ASMR Channel Make Money?
There’s a miriad of different ways ASMR creators can make money with their online presense. There’s a common misconception that you need to have a million subscribers in order to start generating any significant revenue. While big YouTubers definitely break the bank, small creators can also excel – but only with a smart monetization strategy.
So let’s take a look at the different streams of income for the average ASMR YouTuber.
ASMR Ad Revenue (Pre-Rolls and Post-Rolls)
Approx. $3 per 1,000 views
10,000 subscribers: $300-$750/month
As an ASMRtist, this is usually your main source of income.
The amount a creator of ASMR stands to make depends on video performance and upload frequency. For example, in January 2025, I made just under $500 USD in ad revenue from YouTube ads alone – at that point, I had exactly 10,000 subscribers. However, in March, I made around $350, even though I had more subscribers.
IMPORTANT: ASMR YouTubers are at one major disadvantage. They DO NOT want to wake up or scare their audience in the middle of the video! So 99% of ASMR artists only place ads in the beginning (pre-roll) and the end (post-roll) of their videos. The absence of mid-roll ads leads to lower ad revenue.
That being said, the average RPM in the ASMR space sits at about $3. This means $3,000 per 1 million views, which is about average for YouTube content.
The ASMR YouTube algorithm is unique and can be difficult to learn. Learn from my mistakes and check out my full ASMR YouTuber guide, explaining everything you need to know to start your own ASMR YouTube channel and turn it into your job.
The amount you’re paid per 1,000 views is known as “RPM” or Return Per Mile. RPM depends on factors such as:
- Niche;
- Audience location, gender, age;
- Time of year.
A lower RPM is characteristic for new channels. Creators who’re followed by non-Western audiences can expect lower RPM too.
Exclusive Content (Patreon, YouTube Members, etc)
Approx. $5 per patron
10,000 subscribers: $150-$350/month
Exclusive content platforms such as Patreon are a great way to make some extra money while also building a community. Content uploaded there can include full-length videos, behind the scenes, updates, livestreams, and more. So how much do ASMR YouTubers make with them?
Most Patreons have a different tier pricings. I make about $200 per month (20 subscribers) and here’s how I price mine.
In case you are wondering, yes, I have 2 patrons at the last tier. Still, I don’t focus much on Patreon, however, some YouTubers prioritize it and make exclusive content and livestreams daily. For some, YouTube is merely a promotional tool for their Patreon or even OF. With the latter, even small creators can print a small fortune.
If you need help pricing your Patreon, you can contact me to help you develop an exclusive content strategy.
Custom Videos
Approx. $30 for a 10-min video
10,000 subscribers: $100-$500/month
Custom ASMR videos are special – very few categories of content give creators such an opportunity. Depending on the request and the effort, you can charge up to $30-$40 for a 10-minute video, or even more. Some ASMRtists charge a fixed per-minute rate.
I personally include a custom video tier on my Patreon page because this way, I can make the subscription even more alluring. It also gives me more consistent income, and it makes it easier for supporters to get a monthly video without having to pay me manually every month.
Be careful – some people might request things that make you uncomfortable. Always make sure to protect your boundaries if you’re not comfortable with a request.
Self-Promotions (incl. Merch, Side Businesses, etc)
No limit to how much you can make
You can use your channel to promote your other passions! Here are some examples:
- Isabel Imagination ASMR promotes her art
- regular asmr promotes her art and takes custom art requests
- Rapunzel ASMR used to promote her Etsy jewelry store
And, of course, you can always sell your own merch. Fortunately, you don’t need to manufacture your own shirts – you can outsource the whole thing to a company like Printful which can print and distribute your merch directly to your supporters.
There’s really no limit to how much you can make with self-promotion, as everyone’s side hustle is different. It’s important, however, to know your audience and make sure you’re selling them something they’ll actually be interested in. Be respectful of your viewers’ time and trust.
Tips (PayPal, Ko-Fi, TipJar, etc)
10,000 subscribers: $20-$300/month
It’s not rare that someone is especially touched by an ASMR video. After all, ASMR stands for “autonomous sensory meridian response” and can help people sleep, relax or even go through difficult times. Not long ago I received a $120 donation, my biggest yet. Tips can be an unexpected treat that usually come with heartfelt messages that can not only help an ASMR creator support themselves but also reaffirm and motivate them to keep going.
ASMR content creators should put a TipJar or PayPal.me link in their channel bio and video descriptions to make it as easy as possible for their viewers to show support.
Affiliate Links
10,000 subscribers: $5-$100
Frankly, affiliate earnings aren’t great. Commissions are usually low. BUT, they have a lot of potential, depending on your channel…
Affiliate links are essentially referral links to products, usually on Amazon or other marketplace platforms. You can place affiliate links to your recording equipment in your descriptions.
Alternatively, you can review or showcase interesting products you own and refer your audience to where they can also buy them. This is a more reliable strategy, but you definitely don’t want to seem pushy or salesy in your videos.
Audio Streaming Platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, etc)
Approx. $3-$5 per 1,000 streams
10,000 subscribers: $25 – $150
People listen to ASMR a lot less on audio streaming platforms. However, I’ve received requests to upload my work on Spotify multiple times, and I know for a fact that many people listen to ASMR without video while studying, commuting and relaxing. It’s always good to have the option up there, as opposed to not having it. Besides, the RPM is pretty good.
Spotify can run as an independent channel. You can create no-talking playlists that people can relax to and have a whole other content strategy for it. I talk about ways to make money with Spotify ASMR in my ASMRtist Guide here.
Sponsorships
Approx. $100-$500 per sponsorship
10,000 subscribers: $0-$500
Sponsors prefer bigger creators. However, if a company decides your audience would appreciate their product, they might reach you. Be very careful who you work with, and try to avoid sponsor deals that pay you per sale, at least in the beginning.
ASMR content is a unique platform for selling products because it’s when viewers are the most relaxed, and they can trust the creator even more. ASMRtists should avoid abusing this position and only sell things they truly believe in. This is not just a question of morals – practically, the more you try to push sales onto your audience, the less they will trust you, and the less likely it will be for them to click on your videos in the future.
Wishlists (eg. Amazon)
An Amazon wishlist allows you to let fans know what items you need so they can buy them for you.
Some people simply don’t like sending strangers money but are more than happy to gift items because they know what their money is being used for.
Great for small to medium purchases. You should include 1 or 2 high-priced ones, just in case someone is feeling generous!
So, How Much Do ASMR YouTubers Make, Actually?
An ASMR YouTuber with 10,000 subscribers can make anywhere between $700 and $1,700 every month. Assuming the creator uploads engaging content consistently.
My own ASMR YouTube channel made just under $800 in November 2024, when I only had around 7,000 subscribers. Here’s how the month looked:
- YouTube ads: $472
- Patreon: $225
- Custom Videos: $88
From my consulting experience, female ASMRtists usually make more in ad revenue and get more requests for custom videos.
A small ASMR YouTube channel can make a very good income if monetized correctly. I recommend checking out this full ASMR content creator guide to learn exactly how you can build a career with just a few thousand subscribers.
If you need a unique strategy tailored to you, I offer a 60-minute ASMRtist coaching session. I will help you plan and grow your ASMR channel with your specific goals and concerns in mind.