Did you know that YouTube’s top 10 creators earned a combined $310 million in 2023 with MrBeast leading at $82 million? But here’s something most people miss: 83% of that money came from channels with the highest CPM (Cost Per Mille) rates.
If you’re planning to start a YouTube channel in 2025 and are looking for profitable niches to enter, understanding CPM is key.
This rate shows how much advertisers pay for every 1,000 views on your videos. While most channels earn between $2-5 CPM, some niches consistently bring in $20-50 CPM or more.
We analyzed data from over 1,000 YouTube channels across different categories. Our focus? CPM rates.
Why?
Because they’re the most reliable indicator of a niche’s profit potential.
Unlike subscriber counts, view numbers, or even RPM (Revenue Per Mille), CPM directly shows how much advertisers are willing to pay for your audience’s attention.
We discovered money making online, digital marketing, personal finance, and education are some of the most profitable niches in 2025.
In this guide, you’ll see which niches have the highest CPM rates in 2025 and why advertisers pay more for these specific audiences.
You’ll also learn how to position your content for better ad rates and some real life examples of channels succeeding in these niches.
Want to maximize your YouTube earnings in 2025? Focus on high-CPM niches. Let’s explore the 20 most profitable categories, ranked by their average CPM rates and profit potential.
Want to take your videos to the next level?
1. Money Making Online
Make Money Online tops our list of most profitable YouTube niches with a CPM of $30-50. You know all those videos on how to make money on the internet, side hustles, how to start a youtube channel, faceless channels, are all in this category.
Advertisers are ready to pay big bucks here with brand deals and sponsorship also high.
With the high competition between financial tools and services advertisers driving the cost of advertisement up. Ali Abdaal is a popular channel in this niche.
2. Digital Marketing
This is another huge niche on youtube with high earning potentials and unsurprisingly since digital marketing is all about selling. Creators in this niche cater to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
CPM rates for this industry is between $20-45 as it focuses on SEO, social media and online advertising strategies.
The popular Neil Patel with over a million subscribers is an example in the digital marketing niche.
3. Personal Finance and Investing
Here is an industry that helps their audience learn how to grow their income and manage credit. With a CPM of $20-40.
Channels here offer financial and investment help (even though they always say not financial advice).
The nature of the topic means financial tools and services compete to advertise and collaborate with brands in these niches. One popular channel here is Graham Stephen with over 4 million subscribers.
4. Education
Education is a broad YouTube niche with some of the most subscribed channels. Whether it is child education, science, or history, this industry will continue to grow.
The CPM rates here range from $15 to $25 as advertisers compete to show their products and services to this audience.
Tutorials and skill acquisition courses are in high demand on the platform and even though YouTube restricts advertisement on kids content, education is still a highly profitable niche.
Khan Academy is a channel doing so well in the education category.
5. Luxury Living
It is not a surprise to see the luxury living industry on our list of most profitable YouTube niches. This is because the CPM here is high at around $30-50 with premium brands looking to reach this focused affluent audience.
Creators in this industry discuss luxury items and attract an affluent audience with the capital to purchase similar products, so advertisers compete to reach this group.
Producer Michael with over 2 million subscribers is a Luxury Living channel doing so well.
6. Software and SaaS
Even though the software niche is not the most popular, it is niched down enough with the right audience to attract high paying advertisers and sponsors.
This industry is everything software and Saas, how-tos, and more. Attracting an audience of entrepreneurs, career personnel and small businesses.
Its CPM rates are around $20-40 with even higher advertiser rates for B2B and B2C software tools. MicroConf is a popular channel here.
7. Technology and Gadgets
Technology and gadgets is another high earning niche on YouTube.
Whether you’re talking about the latest iPhone or differentiating between a HP laptop and Dell, this is a broad category with so much to review.
Tech tutorials and gadgets review are the main content types here with CPM rates between $15 and $30. Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) with over 17 million subscribers is arguably the most popular channel here.
8. Health and Fitness
Many people come to YouTube for their health and fitness tips and creators in this category are always ready to help.
This ever growing niche boosts some popular channels like Chloe Ting and Blogilates. They discuss health tips, offer fitness advice, wellness programs and general fitness advice.
Advertisers compete to reach their audience of health and fitness conscious individuals taking their CPM rates to around $10-25.
9. Food and Cooking
The pandemic saw cooking channels truly breakout but even now, more and more people are looking to youtube for recipes and cooking inspiration. Food and cooking is a lucrative niche to venture into.
Channels like Tasty with over 20 million subscribers have shown what is possible in this category. The CPM rates here are between $8 to $15.
10. Beauty and Skincare
Beauty and skincare content thrives on YouTube through product reviews, routines, and tutorials. This niche delivers strong CPM rates of $4-8 due to heavy beauty brand advertising.
Creators earn through brand deals, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content, with many launching successful product lines.
Skincare by Hyram grew to 4.5 million subscribers through educational content and honest reviews.
New creators can start with minimal investment – just good lighting and quality products to review.
11. Fashion
Fashion content creation spans style guides, hauls, and trend analysis videos. The niche maintains CPM rates of $3-8, but major earnings come from brand collaborations and affiliate partnerships with retailers.
Creators receive free products and earn commissions through affiliate links. Emma Chamberlain built 12 million subscribers by mixing style with authenticity.
Many fashion creators expand into clothing lines or brand partnerships, showing strong growth potential.
12. Gaming
Gaming content covers gameplay, reviews, and esports commentary. While CPM rates average $6-12, creators maximize earnings through merchandise, sponsorships, and streaming revenue.
The gaming niche offers multiple content formats from tutorials to entertainment. MrBeast Gaming demonstrates the potential with 45 million subscribers through challenges and high-production content.
Entry barriers are low – just gaming equipment and screen recording software.
13. Automotive
Car content focuses on reviews, modifications, and maintenance guides. The niche commands high CPMs of $6-15 thanks to automotive advertisers and affluent audiences.
Creators earn through sponsored content, affiliate parts sales, and repair tutorials. Doug DeMuro grew to 4.8 million subscribers with detailed reviews.
While equipment costs can be high, partnerships with dealerships and manufacturers offset expenses.
14. Home Improvements and DIY
DIY content delivers value through renovation guides and project tutorials. The niche earns strong CPMs of $7-15 plus sponsorships from home improvement brands and tool manufacturers.
Creators can earn through affiliate tool sales and sponsored projects. DIY Perks reached 4.6 million subscribers with innovative builds.
Starting costs vary by project type, but basic tools and filming equipment are essential.
15. Pet Care
Pet content serves dedicated audiences with training tips, product reviews, and care guides.
The niche maintains steady CPMs of $5-12 and attracts consistent pet brand sponsorships. Creators earn through affiliate pet product sales and sponsored content.
Girl With The Dogs built 2.8 million subscribers through grooming content. Initial investment is low if you already have pets.
16. Entertainment
Entertainment content covers trending topics, celebrity news, and pop culture. CPMs range from $3-7, but revenue streams include merchandise and brand partnerships.
Creators can monetize through news coverage, reaction videos, and commentary. MrBeast with his 330 million subscribers is by far the most popular channel on the platform.
Production costs start low with just basic recording equipment.
17. Real Estate
Real estate content focuses on property investment and market analysis. The niche boasts premium CPMs of $15-35 due to high-value advertisers.
Creators earn through property consultations, courses, and investment referrals. Graham Stephan grew to 4.1 million subscribers sharing investment strategies.
Industry knowledge is crucial, but production costs are moderate.
18. Travel and Lifestyle
Travel content combines destination coverage with lifestyle elements. Despite moderate CPMs of $4-10, creators profit through hotel partnerships and tourism collaborations.
Successful channels mix travel guides with personal experiences. Lost LeBlanc built 2.1 million subscribers with cinematic content.
Initial costs include travel expenses and quality camera gear.
19. Comedy
Comedy content thrives through sketches, parodies, and commentary. CPMs average $3-7, but creators earn through merchandise, live shows, and brand deals.
Unique formats and consistent humor build loyal audiences. Ryan George reached 1.7 million subscribers with sketch comedy.
Start-up costs are low, focusing on writing skills and basic recording equipment.
20. ASMR
ASMR content provides relaxation through audio triggers and visuals. The niche maintains CPMs of $3-8 and benefits from long watch times, boosting ad revenue.
Creators earn through custom videos and specialized equipment reviews. Gibi ASMR grew to 4.2 million subscribers with diverse content.
Initial investment requires quality microphones and quiet recording space.
Final Thoughts
While these profitable niches offer great earning potential, success on YouTube comes down to your passion and expertise.
Pick a niche that matches your interests and knowledge, not just the highest CPM rates. Remember, authentic content attracts loyal viewers, which leads to sustainable growth.
Start with basic equipment, focus on content quality, and stay consistent. As your channel grows, explore multiple revenue streams beyond ad revenue.
The most successful creators often blend different content types within their niche while maintaining their unique voice.
