How to make money on youtube as a career?

 Level 1: The Foundation (0 – 1,000 Subscribers)

• The Grind: You spend your nights learning video editing and thumbnail psychology. You choose a niche—perhaps high-value "Edutainment" like personal finance or AI workflows, which command the highest ad rates.
• The Milestone: You reach 500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hours. You unlock "Fan Funding." For the first time, a viewer sends you a $5 Super Thanks on a video. It’s not a living, but it’s proof of concept.

• The Revenue: AdSense checks start arriving. They might only cover your grocery bill at first, but the "Passive Income" engine has started.
• The Pivot: You realize AdSense is the lowest-paying part of the job. You sign up for Amazon Associates and place affiliate links in your descriptions. Every time a viewer buys the camera or software you recommend, you get a cut.

• The Brand Deal: Your inbox fills with sponsorship offers. Instead of waiting for AdSense, you sign a contract with a brand for a 60-second shoutout, earning $1,000 to $5,000 per video depending on your engagement.
• The Diversification: You launch a digital product, like a specialized Shopify store or a Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Your income is no longer tied to how many views you get this month, but how much value you provide to your "True Fans."

• The Delegation: You hire your first editor and a virtual assistant to handle emails. This allows you to focus 100% on creative strategy and high-level partnerships.
• The Scale: You utilize YouTube Shopping to sell your own physical merchandise or "white-label" products. Your channel is now a marketing machine for a multi-million dollar business.