Let’s be honest: There’s an almost mythic aura around ‘full-time YouTubers.’ Before I started, I pictured some secret formula. (Spoiler: There isn’t one.) My first month with over a million views was equal parts exciting and disappointing—exciting, because my channel was growing; disappointing, because my bank account seemed blissfully unaware. In this post, I’ll let you peek behind the curtain, numbers and all. Grab some popcorn (or a coffee)—it’s story time.
Section 1: Chasing ‘Full-Time’—What Does It Really Mean?
When people ask me about becoming a full time YouTuber, the first question is almost always about numbers. How many views do you actually need to make a full time income from YouTube ads alone? The answer isn’t as simple as you might think. It’s not just about hitting a magic number and suddenly quitting your day job. In reality, the journey to YouTube monetization is a lot more nuanced—and, honestly, a bit slower than most people expect.
Let me start with my own experience. I live in Denmark, where the cost of living is relatively high compared to many other places. For me, a realistic target for “full-time” income is about $5,000 per month. That’s the threshold I set for myself—enough to cover rent, bills, food, and still have a little left over for savings or the occasional treat. Your number might be higher or lower, depending on where you live and what your expenses look like. That’s the first big lesson: full-time isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Now, let’s talk about the actual numbers. When I reached around 1.5 million views per month on my channel (which is in the music niche), my ad revenue was roughly $2,500 per month. That’s a solid chunk of change, but it’s only about half of what I consider a full-time income here in Denmark. As I often tell people:
Once I got to around 1.5 million views per month, I was making around $2,500. And that's still not what I'm considering a full time income.
This is where a lot of aspiring creators get tripped up. There’s a common belief that if you just get one viral video, you’ll instantly be able to quit your job and live off YouTube earnings. But the reality is much more of a slow-burn climb. Unless your video is literally about how to build a time machine (and it actually works!), a single viral hit rarely changes your life overnight. Instead, it’s about building consistent, repeatable viewership over time.
Research shows that YouTube monetization thresholds depend heavily on your location and your channel’s niche. For example, channels in finance or tech might earn more per view than those in music or vlogs, simply because advertisers are willing to pay higher rates for certain audiences. The YouTube views income you can expect at 1.5 million views per month might be very different if you’re based in the US versus Denmark, or if you’re making videos about investing versus making music covers.
It’s also important to understand the latest YouTube monetization requirements as of 2025. To even start earning ad revenue, you need at least 500 subscribers, three public videos in the last 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours in the past year or 3 million YouTube Shorts views in the past 90 days. These requirements have actually become a bit more accessible recently, with the subscriber threshold dropping from 1,000 to 500 and the watch hours requirement dropping from 4,000 to 3,000. But even after you qualify, the income you make from ads alone might not be enough to go full time—especially in countries with a higher cost of living.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that many people overestimate how much Denmark YouTube earnings can be at certain view counts. They see big numbers—like a million views per month—and assume that must mean big money. But as my own analytics show, 1.5 million views translated to about $2,500 per month from ads. That’s a good supplement, but not quite “quit your job” territory for me.
So, what does all this mean for you? If you’re aiming to become a full time YouTuber, it’s crucial to set a realistic income target based on your own situation. Look at your local cost of living, your niche’s earning potential, and remember that ad revenue is just one piece of the puzzle. The climb to full-time isn’t a sprint—it’s more like a marathon, with plenty of learning (and recalibrating) along the way.
Section 2: Fork in the Road—More Views or Smarter Earnings?
When I hit the halfway mark to my YouTube income goal, I found myself at a crossroads. I was bringing in about $2,500 a month, but my target for going full-time was $5,000. This is where the big question came in: Should I chase more views, or could I make my existing views work harder for me? It’s a classic dilemma for creators, and one that’s especially relevant if you’re aiming for a full-time income through the YouTube Partner Program.
Let’s break it down. If I wanted to double my income just by getting more views, I’d need to jump from 1.5 million to 3 million views per month. That’s a massive leap, especially in the music niche, where viral hits aren’t guaranteed and competition is fierce. It felt almost impossible. But there’s another path—one that doesn’t rely on chasing viral spikes or burning out trying to constantly top your last video.
RPM Increase Tips: The Power of Smarter Earnings
Instead of focusing on sheer view count, I decided to look into my RPM—revenue per thousand views. RPM is a key metric in YouTube ads revenue, showing how much you actually earn for every 1,000 views after YouTube’s cut. It’s influenced by factors like video length, audience engagement, and your niche. Research shows that increasing RPM can sometimes have a bigger impact on your earnings than simply getting more views.
Here’s what I discovered: by making longer videos, I could fit in more ads, which directly boosted my RPM. Before, my RPM hovered around $1.70. After switching to longer content, it shot up to $4.23. That’s a huge jump. To put it in perspective, with 1.5 million monthly views, my earnings went from about $2,550 to over $6,000 a month—without needing any extra eyeballs.
By making longer videos, I grew my RPM from $1.70 to $4.23 per thousand views.
This wasn’t just luck. Longer videos mean more opportunities for mid-roll ads, which advertisers are willing to pay more for. Plus, longer watch times signal to YouTube that your content is engaging, which can help with recommendations and, in turn, ad revenue. If you’re looking for RPM increase tips, start by analyzing your average video length and see if there’s room to add more value (and more minutes) for your viewers.
Monetization Requirements and the YouTube Partner Program
Of course, none of this matters if you’re not eligible for monetization. As of 2025, YouTube’s monetization requirements are more accessible than ever. You need at least 500 subscribers, three public videos in the last 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours in the past year or 3 million YouTube Shorts views in 90 days. Once you hit these milestones, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program and start earning from ads, memberships, Super Chat, and more.
Subscriber threshold: Now just 500, down from 1,000.
Watch hours: 3,000 in the past year (previously 4,000).
YouTube Shorts: 3 million views in 90 days is an alternative route.
AdSense: You’ll need an active AdSense account.
Community Guidelines: Staying compliant is crucial for ongoing monetization.
It’s worth noting that your niche plays a big role in how much advertisers are willing to pay. Some niches, like finance or tech, naturally attract higher RPMs. In my case, the music niche isn’t the highest-paying, but by optimizing video length and engagement, I was able to make my channel much more profitable.
Key Takeaways: Smarter Strategy Over Sheer Scale
Looking back, doubling my views seemed impossible. But by pivoting to a smarter content strategy—focusing on longer videos and higher engagement—I was able to nearly double my YouTube ads revenue. Studies indicate that adapting your video strategy can increase earnings significantly, even if your view count stays the same. If you’re aiming for full-time income, don’t just chase numbers. Instead, work on boosting your RPM and making each view count for more.
Section 3: Niche Reality Check—Are YouTube Monetization Goals Universal?
When I first started my YouTube journey, I kept hearing that you had to be in a “high-paying” niche—like finance or business—if you wanted to make real money. The idea was everywhere: if you weren’t teaching people how to make money online, your channel would never hit full-time income. But as someone who built a channel in the YouTube Music niche, I can tell you that’s just not the whole story. You can randomly check their income using YouTube Money calculator.
Let’s get real about niche YouTube income. The truth is, YouTube income varies dramatically by niche. Advertisers pay a premium for some topics, and far less for others. For example, channels focused on business, finance, or marketing can see RPMs (revenue per thousand views) that are double or even triple what you’d get in music or entertainment. But that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed outside those “golden” categories.
I’m living proof. My channel sits in the music niche, which is known for being “average to low” in terms of RPM and CPM (cost per thousand views). To put it in perspective, my average RPM is about $4.23. That’s not high by YouTube standards. Yet, with some strategic content choices and consistency, I managed to reach around $6,000 per month—averaging about 1.5 million views monthly.
These numbers are actually not that unrealistic. I'm not really in a high CPM or RPM niche...the music niche is quite average or maybe even to the lower side.
So, how did I do it? First, I focused on what I enjoyed and what I could sustain long-term. It’s tempting to chase high RPMs, but if you’re not passionate about finance or business, you’ll burn out fast. I’ve seen it happen—one of my friends launched a business channel, hoping to cash in on those high ad rates. The competition was fierce, the pressure was intense, and after a few months, he just couldn’t keep up. The channel fizzled out before it ever reached the monetization requirements.
That brings me to the next point: YouTube monetization isn’t just about picking the “right” niche. It’s about playing to your strengths and understanding the rules of the game. Yes, choosing a niche impacts your ad rates more than you might think—and sometimes, it feels unfair. But that’s just how the platform works. If your end goal is monetization, niche selection becomes a strategic decision. Still, it’s not the only factor that matters.
Let’s talk about the monetization requirements themselves. As of 2025, YouTube has made it a bit easier for smaller channels to get started. You now need at least 500 subscribers, three public videos in the past 90 days, and either 3,000 watch hours in the past year or 3 million YouTube Shorts views in the past 90 days. Once you hit these milestones and join the YouTube Partner Program, you can start earning from ads, memberships, Super Chat, and more. But remember: the amount you earn per view will still depend heavily on your niche.
Research shows that while profitable niches do have higher RPMs, reaching a sustainable income is absolutely possible in mid-tier or even lower-earning fields if you use effective strategies. Consistency, understanding your audience, and optimizing your content for engagement can make a huge difference. And don’t forget—there are other revenue streams beyond ads, like channel memberships and YouTube Shopping, that can boost your earnings regardless of your niche.
In the end, niche YouTube income is about more than just chasing the highest RPM. It’s about finding the intersection between what you love, what you’re good at, and what the platform rewards. The YouTube Music niche may not be the most lucrative, but with the right approach, it can still provide a full-time income—and a lot more satisfaction than forcing yourself into a niche that doesn’t fit.
So, are YouTube monetization goals universal? Not exactly. The path looks different depending on your niche, your strategy, and your willingness to adapt. But if you’re willing to play the long game, even an “average” niche can take you further than you think.
