How Much Does a Twitch Streamer Make? Examining Average Earnings and Sources of Income

Introduction

Twitch streaming is quickly becoming a popular way for people to make money online. But what exactly is Twitch streaming and how much money can you expect to make? In this article, we’ll explore the average earnings of Twitch streamers, their sources of income, and the effects of Twitch partnerships on their incomes.

Interview with Pro-Twitch Streamer

To get some insight into the world of Twitch streaming, we spoke with professional Twitch streamer, Jack Smith. Jack has been streaming full-time for over three years and currently has over 100,000 followers. Here’s what he had to say about his income from streaming:

“I’m able to make a good living from streaming. I make most of my money through subscriptions, but I also get donations, ad revenue, and merchandise sales. I would say that I make around $5,000-$6,000 a month from streaming.”

Analyzing Most Successful Twitch Streamers

We then took a look at some of the most successful Twitch streamers to get a better understanding of how much money they make. According to TwitchStats, the top five earners on Twitch collectively made over $20 million in 2020. The highest earner was Ninja, who made an estimated $17.5 million. Other top earners included TimTheTatman ($3.5 million), shroud ($2.7 million), summit1g ($2.2 million), and DrLupo ($1.8 million).

What sets these streamers apart from the rest? For starters, they have huge followings. Ninja has 17 million followers, while the others have anywhere between 4 million and 10 million followers. They are also very active streamers, often streaming multiple times a week. Lastly, they all have dedicated fan bases that support them through subscriptions, donations, and merchandise purchases.

Sources of Income for Twitch Streamers

Now let’s take a closer look at the various sources of income available to Twitch streamers. The primary source of income for Twitch streamers is subscription fees. Twitch offers three tiers of subscriptions – $4.99, $9.99, and $24.99 – and streamers receive a cut of the subscription fee. On top of that, streamers can also receive donations from viewers, sell merchandise, and make money from advertisements.

Breakdown of Twitch Subscription Fees

The monthly subscription fee gives viewers access to exclusive emotes, chat badges, and other perks. Streamers receive a cut of the subscription fee, usually 50%. So if someone subscribes at the $4.99 tier, the streamer will receive $2.50. At the $9.99 tier, the streamer receives $5.00, and at the $24.99 tier, the streamer receives $12.50.

Subscribers are also rewarded with additional benefits, such as custom emotes, access to subscriber-only chats, and special giveaways. These benefits vary from streamer to streamer, so it’s important to do your research before subscribing to any channel.

Average Earnings of Twitch Streamers

So how much money can you expect to make as a Twitch streamer? According to a recent survey by StreamElements, the median income of Twitch streamers is $250 per month. However, this number can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as the streamer’s follower count, the type of content they produce, and the amount of time they dedicate to streaming.

For example, streamers with larger followings tend to make more money than those with smaller followings. This is because they have more potential subscribers and more opportunities to make money from donations and advertisements. Additionally, streamers who produce higher quality content and stream frequently will generally make more money than those who don’t.

Comparing Income Potential of Twitch Streaming to Other Types of Streaming

When comparing the income potential of Twitch streaming to other types of streaming, it’s important to keep in mind that each platform has its own unique set of rules and regulations. Popular streaming platforms such as YouTube, Mixer, and Facebook Gaming all offer different ways for streamers to make money.

On YouTube, streamers can make money from ads, sponsorships, and merchandising. On Mixer, streamers can make money from subscriptions and donations. And on Facebook Gaming, streamers can make money from ads, sponsorships, and “stars” (virtual currency).

According to a recent survey by StreamElements, the median income of YouTube streamers is $305 per month, while the median income of Mixer streamers is $220 per month. Meanwhile, the median income of Facebook Gaming streamers is $100 per month.

Effects of Twitch Partnerships on Streamers’ Incomes

Finally, let’s take a look at the effects of Twitch partnerships on streamers’ incomes. To become a Twitch partner, streamers must meet certain criteria, such as having an average concurrent viewership of 500 or more, streaming at least 3 days a week, and having an established audience. Once accepted, partners will receive a share of the subscription fees and have access to additional features, such as custom emojis and VIP chatrooms.

Twitch partners also have the potential to make more money from donations and advertisements. Since partners have larger followings, they have more potential donors and advertisers, thus increasing their potential income. Additionally, Twitch partners are eligible for special promotions and deals offered by Twitch, which can further increase their earnings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Twitch streaming can be a great way to make money online. The average income of Twitch streamers is $250 per month, but this can vary significantly depending on several factors, such as follower count, content quality, and frequency of streaming. Twitch streamers can make money from subscription fees, donations, advertisements, and merchandise sales. Finally, Twitch partnerships can greatly increase a streamer’s income potential.