Content Creator
The short answer: For content creators, the closest pay guide is employee pay: according to the BLS, employed writers and authors earned a median $76,910 a year in May 2025. The catch is time: content creator reports range from Chris Koerner's 3 hours a week to 40–50 hours a week for a goat-education creator. (BLS OEWS; Chris Koerner) Chris builds faceless YouTube channels with AI voiceovers, so content creation can suit people who prefer staying off camera. (Chris Koerner)
| Median pay of employed writers and authors | $36.98/hr ($76,910/yr) BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employee pay, not side-hustle income |
|---|---|
| Reported time to first dollar | 0–30 days 2 reports by 2 creators, Oct 2026–Nov 2026 |
| Reported hours | 3–50 hrs/week 2 reports by 2 creators, Jan 2026–Sep 2026 |
| Projected job growth, writers and authors | -0.3% BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 |
| One creator's reported part-time earnings | $1–$4,000/month 2 reports by The Side Hustle Show, Aug 2026–Sep 2026 |
From 6 quotes by 4 creators and BLS data. A creator figure is one person's account.
How much do content creators make?
The Side Hustle Show reported that Deacon turned Facebook content into $3,000–$4,000 a month using a simple content system, one creator's result. According to the BLS, employed producers and directors earned a median $90,360 a year in May 2025, which is employee pay, not creator income. (The Side Hustle Show; BLS OEWS)
Chris Koerner says Facebook pays about 25 cents per thousand short-form views, so view volume moves the number. (Chris Koerner)
| Related occupation | Median pay | Middle 80% |
|---|---|---|
| Writers and Authors | $36.98/hr ($76,910/yr), BLS OEWS, May 2025 | $44,310–$139,870/yr |
| Producers and Directors | $43.44/hr ($90,360/yr), BLS OEWS, May 2025 | $45,780–$198,540/yr |
Median annual pay of employed writers and authors: $76,910 nationally; highest and lowest states below (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
| Highest-paying states | Median | Lowest-paying states | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $129,300/yr | Kentucky | $48,780/yr |
| Maryland | $104,330/yr | Arkansas | $47,970/yr |
| Connecticut | $98,460/yr | Puerto Rico | $43,440/yr |
What do people doing content creator say?
“how Deacon turned Facebook content into $3,000 to $4,000 a month using a simple content system”
“how a simple ad network switch took her from $1 a month to $100 a month on video”
“you can monetize with affiliates right away.”
“Within a month of taking my tarot reading passion online, I hit my first $1,000.”
What do you need to start as a content creator?
The content creator workflow Chris shows uses CapCut for editing, AI for scripts, and Higgsfield or ElevenLabs for voiceover. (Chris Koerner)
Not enough evidence yet: No source we track states a startup cost yet.
- Pick a niche, such as mythology, weird science or true crime. (Chris Koerner)
- Draft scripts with AI and edit in CapCut. (Chris Koerner)
- Upload natively to each platform and tag original creators.
- Link a newsletter signup in the top comment.
How fast do content creators get paid?
The Side Hustle Show says a content creator can monetize YouTube with affiliates right away. A tarot reader on Side Hustle School hit a first $1,000 within a month of taking the readings online. (The Side Hustle Show; Side Hustle School)
Who is content creation best for as a side hustle?
Chris's content creator methods rely on AI scripts, AI voiceover and CapCut, so they suit people comfortable with software tools. Because Facebook pays per thousand views in Chris's method, content creation suits people willing to post often to build volume. (Chris Koerner)
Which platforms do people use for content creator?
Platforms people doing content creator use: Beehiv, Fanvue, Patreon, SubscribeStar, Substack.
Is being a content creator worth it?
Pros
- Chris lists four revenue routes for one channel: AdSense, affiliate links, your own products, and selling the channel. (Chris Koerner)
- The Legit Side Hustles Podcast says Instagram content can be cross-posted to Threads and Facebook. (Legit Side Hustles Podcast)
Cons
- Facebook earnings in Chris's method start only after the platform sends a monetization invite. (Chris Koerner)
- According to the BLS, employment of writers and authors is projected to change by -0.3% over 2025-35. (BLS Employment Projections)
What are the risks of being a content creator?
Content creator ad income depends on the network you use: The Side Hustle Show's goat-content guest earned $1 a month before an ad network switch. Content creator income also leans on single platforms: Deacon's result on The Side Hustle Show came from Facebook content. (The Side Hustle Show)
What are the alternatives to content creator?
- Brand Deals & UGC: Often covered together (8 shared videos).
- Self Publishing as a side hustle: Often covered together (2 shared videos).
- Music and Audio as a side hustle: Often covered together (1 shared video).
- Coaching and Mentorship: Often covered together (2 shared videos).
- Photo Booth Rental side hustle: Often covered together (1 shared video).
What else do people ask about content creators?
Can a content creator repost other people's videos?
Chris repurposes viral reels and tweets under fair use by adding his own commentary through green-screen overlays. (Chris Koerner)
Sources and method
Quotes are verbatim and linked to the moment they were said. A figure from one report is not confirmed by a second source. BLS figures describe employees in the closest related occupation.
- Chris Koerner, podcast, 26 Jan 2026.
- Side Hustle Nation, YouTube, 3 Sep 2026.
- Chris Koerner, YouTube, 22 May 2026.
- The Side Hustle Show, podcast, 17 Sep 2026.
- Chris Koerner, YouTube, 27 Jan 2026.
- The Side Hustle Show, podcast, 2 Nov 2026.
- Side Hustle School, podcast, 26 Oct 2026.
- Legit Side Hustles Podcast, podcast, 12 Mar 2025.
- The Side Hustle Show, podcast, 27 Aug 2026.
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35.
- O*NET 31.0 Database, 31.0.
Other data behind this page (5)
| Fact | Value | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demand trend | stable | Accepted | BLS Employment Projections |
| Nearest occupation | Film and Video Editors | Accepted | O*NET 31.0 |
| Typical hours per week | 40–50 hours/week | One report | Side Hustle Nation |
| Typical hours per week | 3 hours/week | One report | Chris Koerner |
| Projected employment change, 10 years: producers and directors | 4% | Official statistic | BLS Employment Projections |