In 2024, the race for highest paid TikToker has transformed the creator marketplace entirely. While celebrities like Gordon Ramsay and Taylor Swift have joined the platform, we’re focusing purely on influencers who built their fame through TikTok, not traditional actors or musicians who crossed over.
Through TikTok Shop collaborations and strategic influencer marketing, these content creators are building empires far beyond basic sponsored content. Take Khaby Lame, who earns a staggering $259K per video by turning United States brand deals into global moments. Let’s get into who the top 10 stars are and how much they make per video.
Top 10 Highest Paid TikTok Stars in 2024
Ever wondered what the platform’s biggest stars actually make? These numbers might surprise you.
Khaby Lame: $259K per video
Remember those overcomplicated life hack videos flooding your feed? Khaby Lame turned eye rolls and deadpan stares into a content empire worth $259,153 per post. Starting as a factory worker during Italy’s lockdown, he struck social media gold by simply pointing out the obvious.
His signature style breaks through language barriers, reaching 162 million followers with minimal words but maximum impact. Now he’s scoring Super Bowl commercials and luxury brand deals, proving that sometimes the simplest approach – and a perfectly timed facial expression – can rewrite the rules of digital success.
2. Charli D’Amelio: $247K per video
The queen of TikTok might have moved to second place, but don’t let that fool you – earning $247K per video, she’s still dancing all the way to the bank. Starting in her Connecticut bedroom with basic dance moves, Charli’s transformed into a full-blown business mogul at just 19.
Her empire now spans far beyond those early viral dances: there’s her clothing line Social Tourist, reality TV shows with her family, and partnerships with brands like American Eagle. With 154 million followers watching her every move, she’s proven that starting young doesn’t mean playing small in the creator economy.
3. Bella Poarch: $151K per video
From serving in the U.S. Navy to commanding an army of 94 million followers, Bella Poarch’s journey breaks every influencer stereotype. Her hypnotic lip-syncs and anime-inspired expressions rake in $151K per video, but that’s just the beginning.
Unlike creators who stick to trending dances, Bella carved out her own niche by blending gaming culture, perfect timing, and unexpected creativity. Her Warner Records deal sent shockwaves through the music industry, proving that TikTok fame can launch serious music careers when backed by genuine talent and strategic brand building.
4. Addison Rae: $142K per video
Don’t let the Louisiana sweetheart persona fool you – Addison Rae is one of social media’s shrewdest business minds. Pulling in $142K per video, she’s parlayed her dance moves into a diverse portfolio that would make most CEOs jealous.
While her 88.8 million followers tune in for her infectious personality, she’s busy building an empire: launching Item Beauty, starring in Netflix films, and dropping music tracks. Unlike many influencers who peak and fade, Addison’s smart mix of relatable content and strategic business moves keeps her firmly in TikTok’s top earner circle.
5. Zach King: $131K per video
Magic isn’t real – except when Zach King’s behind the camera. Earning $131K per video, he’s turned digital illusions into a seriously lucrative art form. Unlike typical TikTok quick cuts, his 82 million followers wait eagerly for mind-bending “magic” videos that take weeks to perfect.
Brands pay premium rates because King doesn’t just make ads; he creates visual puzzles that viewers watch on repeat. His background in film school shows – while others chase trends, he’s building a library of timeless content that keeps earning long after posting.
6. Spencer X: $128K per video
Who knew beatboxing could be worth $128K per video? Spencer X did, and he’s built a sonic empire to prove it. With 60 million followers, he’s turned street performer skills into stadium-sized success. Unlike most TikTok stars who depend on trending sounds,
Spencer creates his own beats, giving him total creative control and unique marketing potential. His collaborations merge music, comedy, and pure skill in a way that makes traditional musicians take notice. Plus, brands love him because his talent-based content stays relevant way longer than dance trends.
7. Kimberly Loaiza: $120k per video
Most TikTok stars struggle to keep one audience entertained – Kimberly Loaiza’s got two. She’s pulling in $120K per video by doing what Silicon Valley types call “market expansion,” but really she’s just being herself in two languages.
While American creators scramble to reach Latin markets, she’s been there, done that, and sold out arenas in Mexico City. With 81 million followers, she’s not just posting content in Spanish and English; she’s building a genuine connection with both audiences.
Her music drops on Latin Billboard, her lifestyle content hits in Los Angeles, and brands are paying premium just to tap into her world. Not bad for someone who started by posting casual videos from her bedroom in Mexicali.
8. Gil Croes: $115k per video
While everyone else was perfecting their dance moves in 2024, Gil Croes was busy turning TikTok into his personal theater production. At $115K per video, he’s basically running a one-man Netflix from his phone.
His 35 million followers don’t tune in for fancy transitions or trending sounds – they show up to watch him bounce between characters like a caffeinated Jim Carrey. One day he’s lip-syncing in a dollar store costume, the next he’s directing a full-on comedy sketch that probably cost less than your lunch.
When brands come knocking, they don’t get the usual “hold product, smile, repeat” routine. Instead, Gil turns their ads into mini-movies that people actually want to watch. His DMs are full of companies begging him to make their boring products look fun – and he’s charging premium rates to do it his way.
9. Drea Okeke: $110k per video
Here’s a twist: Drea Okeke pulls in $110K per video with “just” 7 million followers – a fraction of other top earners’ audiences. But numbers can be deceiving. Her specialty? Creating cultural commentary that sparks conversations and keeps viewers coming back for more.
Unlike creators chasing mass appeal, she’s built a devoted community that engages deeply with every post. This targeted approach means brands pay premium rates to reach her highly engaged audience, proving that in the creator economy, it’s not just about how many followers you have – it’s about who they are and how much they care.
10. Avani Gregg: $100k per video
Starting as a contortionist-turned-makeup artist, Avani Gregg has twisted her way into a unique spot in the creator economy. At $100K per video and 40 million followers strong, she’s turned her “Clown Check” videos into a broader brand that spans beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle content.
Unlike many beauty influencers who stick to tutorials, Avani Gregg blends artistry with personality-driven content that keeps her audience guessing. Her success reveals that versatility pays on TikTok. By refusing to be boxed into one single category, she’s built a sustainable career that others try to imitate but can’t quite duplicate.
How Do TikTokers Earn Millions?
Being a top TikTok creator isn’t just about dancing or lip-syncing anymore – it’s serious business. While everyone talks about the Creator Fund, veteran influencers know that’s barely pocket change.
The real players have built mini-empires across multiple platforms, with revenue flowing in from brand deals, merchandise drops that sell out faster than concert tickets, and smart investments in everything from beauty lines to tech startups.
Each income stream might look small on its own, but together? They’re building generational wealth.
Brand Partnerships
A sponsored TikTok post from 2020 might have cost a brand $10K. Today? Top creators won’t even open their email for less than $100K. But the really interesting stuff happens behind those headline numbers.
When Dunkin’ worked with Charli D’Amelio, they didn’t just get a teenager sipping coffee on camera – they got lines around the block and a whole new customer base. Or look at what happened when Hugo Boss bet big on Khaby Lame – their TikTok suddenly started speaking to Gen Z in a way their traditional ads never could.
That’s the difference between hiring an influencer and finding a real brand partner. The influencer marketing hub reports that sponsorship deals in the United States have evolved dramatically. Even mainstream celebrities like Gordon Ramsay and Taylor Swift are competing with native TikTok influencers for brand attention.
When Burger King wants to reach Gen Z, they’re not calling traditional ad agencies – they’re hitting up creators’ management teams.
TikTok Creator Fund
Here’s something most aspiring creators don’t want to hear: that Creator Fund everyone talks about? It’s basically lunch money for most verified accounts. Sure, earning $2-4 per 1,000 views sounds decent until you do the math.
Even creators pulling millions of views might only see enough to cover their equipment costs. Smart creators treat it like their first internship – it’s not about the money, it’s about proving you’ve got what it takes while building something bigger behind the scenes.
Merchandise and Business Ventures
Beyond traditional affiliate marketing and TikTok Shop integration, creators are building sustainable businesses. A presence on the creator marketplace is just the beginning – smart content creators know that relying solely on platform earnings is like building a house on sand.
That’s why the top earners have diversified into physical products and business ventures. Take Josh Richards’ Ani Energy drink – it’s not just merch, it’s a legitimate competitor in the beverage market.
Or consider Addison Rae’s Item Beauty line, which leverages her influence but stands on its own as a serious beauty brand. The key difference? These aren’t just fan products; they’re legitimate businesses that could survive even if TikTok disappeared tomorrow.
How Much Does TikTok Pay for 1 Million Followers?
Forget those “How to Make Money on TikTok” tutorials. Here’s the real deal: that creator who claims they’re making bank from the Creator Fund alone? They’re either lying or losing money. One million followers might sound impressive, but it doesn’t mean much if they scroll past your sponsored posts.
The serious money kicks in when brands start fighting for your attention, not the other way around. We’re talking $5K minimum for micro-influencers with engaged niches, scaling up to six figures if you’ve got the right audience.
Numbers matter less than you’d think – it’s all about who’s watching and whether they trust you enough to buy what you’re selling.
Factors That Drive TikTok Earnings
Follower Count and Engagement
Raw numbers tell only half the story in today’s creator economy. While our top 10 list boasts impressive follower counts, the real gold lies in engagement metrics. Look at Drea Okeke – she earns $110K per video with 7 million followers while some creators with triple her following make less. Why? Because brands have gotten smarter about what matters. They’re looking at watch time, not just views. Comment quality, not just quantity. Save rates over share counts. The most successful creators understand this new math: 10,000 engaged followers beat 100,000 passive ones every time.
Cross-Platform Influence
A TikTok following alone doesn’t cut it anymore. Take a peek behind the scenes of any major creator’s operation and you’ll find they’re running a media company, not just a social account. Charli D’Amelio started with dance videos but now has her hands in everything from streaming shows to podcast production. Bella Poarch flipped her viral moments into a music deal that actually worked – a rare feat in an industry that usually chews up and spits out social media stars. Smart move? Every new platform means another way to turn influence into income, without depending on TikTok’s fickle algorithm.
Conclusion
Let’s cut through the hype: TikTok’s biggest earners aren’t just lucky kids who went viral – they’re savvy entrepreneurs who turned 60-second videos into business empires. Sure, Khaby Lame’s $259K per video sounds wild, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The real story isn’t in their follower counts or viral hits.
The next wave of TikTok success stories won’t come from perfectly timed trends or catchy dances. They’ll come from creators who treat their accounts like startups: building loyal audiences, diversifying income streams, and thinking beyond the platform. After all, going viral is just a moment – building an empire takes strategy.
Think of today’s top creators as the new media moguls – just swap the corner office for an iPhone and a ring light. In this game, influence isn’t the end goal – it’s just the starting capital.
