A gambler counts out cash while making a proposition bet on Super Bowl XLV at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada January 27, 2011. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers will compete in Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas on February 6. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

While some Patreon users make tens of thousands of dollars, most are stuck earning pennies

2%

Patreon is an online service that allows creatives to find patrons and get paid to make their work. In 2017, some 50,000 creators received over $150 million from about 1 million donors.

Published   |  Photo by Reuters/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus
A gambler counts out cash while making a proposition bet on Super Bowl XLV at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada January 27, 2011. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers will compete in Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas on February 6. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
2%

Some lucky content producers are getting tens of thousands of dollars per month, according to Graphtreon. Politics podcast Chapo Trap House receives almost $92,000.

A gambler counts out cash while making a proposition bet on Super Bowl XLV at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada January 27, 2011. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers will compete in Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas on February 6. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
2%

But most Patreon users have few supporters and make less than $100. Only 2% of users get more than the US minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.

A gambler counts out cash while making a proposition bet on Super Bowl XLV at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada January 27, 2011. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers will compete in Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas on February 6. REUTERS/Las Vegas Sun/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)
2%

Patreon may still find ways to help users make more money. It is planning to launch tools to help creators burnish their brands and connect with more supporters.

home our picks popular latest obsessions search