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YouTube is a lucrative platform for both marketers and content creators. YouTube had 2.58 billion active users as of October 2025, according to Search Engine Land, with Google being the only website with higher web traffic. Talented influencers flock to YouTube to create video channels, and the average salary per year is $68,714. However, they generally need at least 4,000 qualified watch hours and at least 1,000 subscribers to start making money.

Here’s a closer look at the average payouts for YouTubers and the heftier payouts for celebrity influencers with outstanding content.

How Much Do YouTubers Make on Average in 2026?

The salary and career website ZipRecruiter reports that the average YouTuber made around $68,714 per year as of October 2026. That’s competitive pay for an entry-level salary. However, earnings typically vary significantly depending on factors such as audience size and location, watch time, and content format.

ZipRecruiter also identifies several cities where the typical salary for a YouTube Channel job is above the national average. The leading city is Fremont, California (average salary of $91,260), followed by Boulder, Colorado ($88,704), Pennington County, South Dakota ($86,809), and Nome, Alaska ($85,239). Although YouTube salaries are higher in states such as Alaska and California, the cost of living in both states is also high, which might cancel out any salary gains.

SoFi Coach℠ Chat is a tool designed to help you view and analyze your financial data, get personalized insights, learn about SoFi products, troubleshoot issues, and take certain actions in chat. Coach responses are information for you to consider and not financial advice. Coach responses are based on limited information from your connected accounts and may have inaccuracies. The insights are meant to help you think about your finances and options —they are not advice or recommendations, and they do not guarantee results. Coach may offer you options to explore SoFi products on which SoFi would earn revenue. You are solely responsible for any financial decisions you make. Coach is offered by Social Finance, LLC.

Top 10 YouTubers for 2026

The following is a list of the 10 most-subscribed YouTubers along with a brief overview of the reasons for their online appeal. The data were sourced from Search Engine Journal, an online news source for the SEO and marketing community, as of October 2025.

1. MrBeast

Subscribers: 448 million

MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, is a young YouTuber and philanthropist originally from Greenville, North Carolina. He began posting videos in 2012, when he was just 13 years old. He went viral in 2017 with his “counting to 100,000” video. His videos include survival challenges, vlogs, and philanthropic content. Other than the MrBeast channel, Donaldson also runs Beast Reacts, MrBeast Gaming, MrBeast 2, and a philanthropy channel called Beast Philanthropy.

2. Like Nastya

Subscribers: 131 million

Like Nastya whose real name is Anastasia Radzinskaya, is a Russian YouTuber. She launched her channel in 2016 as a young child, creating content featuring pretend play, imaginative adventures, family activities, and storytelling designed for young audiences. Like Nastya has built a large audience, becoming one of the most popular children’s content creators on YouTube.

3. KIMPRO,

Subscribers: 124 million

Kimpro is a South Korean YouTube channel founded by former performance planner Kim Dong-jun and his cousin, influencer Yu Baek-hap. Launched in 2022, the channel features short-form videos, including mukbangs, challenges, and comedy skits.

4. PewDiePie

Subscribers: 110 million

PewDiePie, or Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, is a Swedish gaming YouTuber. He registered his channel “PewDiePie” in 2010 and primarily posted videos of himself playing horror and action video games. His channel was one of the fastest-growing channels in 2012, when it reached 1 million subscribers, and it soon diversified to include vlogs, comedy, shows, music videos, and fundraising. Some of Kjellberg’s content became controversial, and after 2019, Kjellberg semi-retired and uploaded less consistently. In 2016, he was named one of the world’s most influential people by Time magazine.

5. Alan’s Universe

Subscribers: 97.3 million

Alan Chikin Chow is an actor, influencer, and the most-watched YouTube Shorts creator. According to Variety, his content gets 1 billion views in any given month. Chow is also the creator of “Alan’s Universe,” a popular drama about love and friendship that has had more than 500 million views.

6. Alejo Igoa

Subscribers: 94.4 million

Alejo Igoa is an Argentinian YouTuber known for his high-energy and fast-paced videos. His channel features dual-language content in both English and Spanish. He’s the most-subscribed Spanish-speaking YouTuber on this list.

7. A4

Subscribers: 90.9 million

A4, or Vlad A4, is one of the most popular Russian-speaking YouTubers globally. He created his channel in 2014 and uploads a wide variety of challenges and vlog content featuring his friends.

8. Topper Guild

Subscribers: 80.1 million

Topper Guild is an American influencer known for elaborate pranks and high-budget challenge videos. He has previously collaborated with Mr Beast on a video that amassed over 7.9 million views.

9. KL BRO Biju Rithvik

Subscribers: 78.7 million

KL BRO Biju Rithvik is an Indian YouTube channel launched in July 2020 by Biju Rithvik, a former bus driver. The channel features family vlogs and comedy skits, with Biju’s wife, Kavitha, mother, Karthiyayani, and other family members appearing in videos often. KL BRO has since grown into one of India’s most popular YouTube channels through its family-focused entertainment.

10. UR · Cristiano

Subscribers: 76.9 million

UR · Cristiano is the official YouTube channel of prolific footballer Cristiano Ronaldo. Launched in August 2024, the channel attracted 1 million subscribers within its first 90 minutes. The channel’s content offers behind-the-scenes training footage, interviews, commentaries, and more.

How Much Money Does a YouTuber Make Per View?

YouTubers make money from advertisers who place ads with their videos. YouTubers are paid based on how many of their viewers watch the ads that accompany their content. Even if a video gets thousands of views, if no one watches or clicks on the ads, the YouTuber won’t make any money. For a YouTuber to be compensated, a viewer must either click an ad or watch the video ad for a certain amount of time. According to data from Influencer Marketing Hub, the average YouTube channel receives around $0.018 per view.

Recommended: 25 Easy Jobs That Make a Lot of Money With Little Work Without College

How Much Do YouTubers Make Per 1,000 Views?

A YouTuber earns between $1 and $30 per 1,000 views. However, YouTuber earnings generally vary depending on whether a video is short- or long-form. YouTube’s long-form revenue split gives creators 55% of the ad revenue generated by their videos.

How Much Does a YouTuber Make With 1 Million Subscribers?

The money made on YouTube may not be consistent, particularly for creators who don’t upload new content regularly to ensure a growing following. YouTubers with 1 million subscribers can make anywhere between $50,000 to well over $1,000,000 per month.

Recommended: 25 High-Paying Trade Jobs in Demand

How Much Ad Revenue Does YouTube Pay Content Creators?

According to Influencer Marketing Hub, creators earn about 55% of the revenue on their channels — for every $100 an advertiser pays, Google pays $55 to the creator. It’s unlikely that a creator will make much money until there is significant traffic to the site and viewers click on ads.

There are some ads that pay per thousand views, but there are criteria that must be met for the ad view to be counted as a billable TrueView. For example, paid advertising views are counted when someone watches a complete ad that’s less than 30 seconds long, they watch at least 30 seconds of an ad that’s more than 30 seconds long, or they interact with the ad. If viewers do click on or view ads for long enough to earn income, the creator shares any advertising revenue with YouTube. Creators only get paid once their AdSense account reaches $100.

Whether you’re raking in millions of subscribers or just starting out, a spending app can help you create a budget, organize spending, and manage bill paying.

The Takeaway

With 2.58 billion active users, YouTube is a go-to platform for entertainment, education, and marketing. Many YouTubers and celebrities reap millions from ad revenue by posting music videos, gaming videos, entertainment, and educational content. However, for the less famous, the average salary stands at $68,714, according to ZipRecruiter, which is a competitive salary. YouTubers need traction and a significant following. Pay-outs are typically based on ad views and are made through Google AdSense.

Take control of your finances with SoFi Coach. You can easily view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard: bank and investment balances, current debts, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Easily set up budgets and spot upcoming bills. And get personalized insights on everyday money questions and take action with Coach chat, the AI guide that’s powered by the playbooks of SoFi Financial Planners, so its guidance comes from expert knowledge.

Meet SoFi Coach, your smart personal guide to getting your money right.

FAQ

How much does a YouTuber make a year?

ZipRecruiter reports that the average YouTuber makes around $68,714 per year as of October 2026. The highest salaries can go beyond $1 million per month.

How much does a YouTuber with 1 million subscribers make?

YouTubers with 1 million subscribers can make anything from $50,000 to $1 million per month. However, this number varies massively, as the money made on YouTube may not be consistent, particularly for creators who don’t upload new content regularly to ensure a growing following.

Do YouTubers get paid monthly?

YouTube uses an algorithm created in AdSense to decide when and how much to pay content creators. AdSense is owned by Google. Vloggers who gain enough traction to warrant earnings are paid monthly via direct deposit.

How much can a YouTuber make per 1,000 views?

A YouTuber can typically earn between $1 and $30 for every 1,000 video views. However, this amount often varies depending on whether their videos are short-form or long-form.

How many subscribers do you need to make money on YouTube?

Creators typically need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program. This will allow them to start making money through ad revenue, though they can only start being paid once their AdSense account reaches $100.

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Photo credit: iStock/Youngoldman

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. The products, services, or features discussed may not currently be available via the SoFi platform. Any references to third-party products, services, or companies do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation by SoFi. Readers should independently evaluate their options and consider their individual financial needs and circumstances before making any decisions. ©2026 SoFi Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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For a growing number of Americans, turning 65 no longer automatically means retirement. Between 2015 and 2025, the number of Americans 65 and older who worked increased by more than 33%, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.

If you want to keep up the 9-to-5 into your golden years, there’s a wide range of options for you to explore. This is especially true if you’re a skilled senior interested in full-time employment.

Tips When Finding a Job as a Senior

There are pros and cons of working after retirement. If returning to the daily grind is right for you and your financial situation, then there are a few things you’ll want to keep top of mind:

•   Weigh the pros and cons of working for a company versus freelancing or consulting.

•   Think about whether you’d prefer to work from home or go into an office or to a job site.

•   Read job listings carefully, paying close attention to the requirements listed.

•   Remove graduation dates from your resume unless they’re fairly recent.

•   Include a couple of your key accomplishments in a cover letter.

•   During an interview, be sure to strategically share key career highlights from the past 10-15 years, and spotlight the ways in which you’ve kept your skills up to date.

•   Move ahead with confidence!

SoFi Coach℠ Chat is a tool designed to help you view and analyze your financial data, get personalized insights, learn about SoFi products, troubleshoot issues, and take certain actions in chat. Coach responses are information for you to consider and not financial advice. Coach responses are based on limited information from your connected accounts and may have inaccuracies. The insights are meant to help you think about your finances and options —they are not advice or recommendations, and they do not guarantee results. Coach may offer you options to explore SoFi products on which SoFi would earn revenue. You are solely responsible for any financial decisions you make. Coach is offered by Social Finance, LLC.

12 Jobs for Skilled Seniors That Pay Well

Working can help provide seniors with extra income as well as other benefits, such as connecting with coworkers and creating a sense of purpose. Take a closer look at jobs for skilled seniors that suit a variety of skills and interests.

#1: Teacher

If you have the appropriate credentials, teaching can be a rewarding job. But don’t fret if you don’t have the right credentials — you might still be able to land a position. Many high schools, career centers, and community colleges may be open to hiring experienced people to teach general interest or professional development courses. Educational organizations may also be seeking teaching assistants or tutors, both of which can be excellent jobs for skilled seniors.

#2: Pet Groomer

Have a way with four-legged friends? Consider a career as a pet groomer. The median annual wage for animal care and service workers is around $35,530 a year. You can find work in a number of settings, including grooming salons, veterinary clinics, pet stores, zoos, and animal shelters. Or you may decide to strike out on your own. The field is experiencing a boom right now. There are more than 410,000 jobs today, according to the BLS, and they are expected to grow by 11% between 2025 and 2035.

#3: Tax Preparer

Interested in becoming a tax preparer? If you have an accounting background, then this type of work may be a natural fit. That said, you don’t need to be a certified accountant. You just need to obtain a preparer tax identification number from the IRS and pass a competency exam.

#4: Real Estate Agent

You can earn a good income helping people buy and/or sell their homes or properties. But there’s another selling point to being a real estate agent: the ability to set your own schedule, as long as you can still satisfy your clients. In fact, this flexibility can be useful if you’re deciding whether you want to work part time or full time. Before you start working, you’ll need to get a license, and requirements vary by state.

#5: Bank Teller

You typically only need a high school diploma or the equivalent to qualify for a bank teller’s job, and you may be required to undergo a short period of on-the-job training. In this position, you’d handle the standard transactions at a financial institution. So if you’re comfortable handling a steady flow of cash and enjoy working with customers, this could be a job to consider.

Need help managing your own finances? A money tracker can help you keep tabs on where your money is going.

#6: Medical Biller

A medical biller works for a health care organization, such as a hospital or doctor’s office, and is responsible for appropriately billing insurance companies, managing the status of claims, and addressing problems that arise. This is one of those jobs for skilled seniors that require organization and the ability to follow through — in this case, with both patients and insurance companies.

Recommended: How to Negotiate Medical Bills

#7: Virtual Assistant

Plenty of small businesses in the United States need help with daily administration tasks. Depending on your skills, virtual tasks could include making phone calls, managing emails, scheduling appointments, maintaining calendars, offering bookkeeping services, handling social media, and so forth. Although many virtual assistant jobs are part time, if you wanted more work, you could have multiple clients to whom you provide your services.

#8: Telework Nurse or Doctor

Telehealth services have greatly expanded since 2020, and demand for remote health care providers remains high. If you’re a recently retired nurse or doctor and are still licensed, you may want to explore a telehealth position. It could allow you to continue providing care but from the comfort of home (or a home office).

#9: Counselor

As of December 2025, approximately 40% of all Americans live in an area with a shortage of mental health care professionals, according to data from the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis. If you’re a retired counselor or therapist and are interested in working again, re-entering the field could allow you to provide much-needed services.

#10: HVAC Technicians

From installation to maintenance to repairs, HVAC pros can find themselves in great demand all year long. If you have this kind of experience or are handy and able to incorporate HVAC into your skill set, then this type of work can be a steady source of income.

Recommended: 25 High-Paying Trade Jobs in Demand

#11: Paralegal

Busy attorneys need plenty of help researching information, creating documentation, and contacting clients. If you have the education and experience and you’re highly organized and able to multitask, then a paralegal job may be right for you.

#12: Grant Writer

Grant writing is a specialized type of writing where you write proposals to help nonprofits and other agencies obtain funding for their programs. To succeed at grant writing, it’s important to research the requirements and deadlines of the funding, write compelling proposals to receive the grant dollars, follow up with the proposals, and write reports about them.

The Takeaway

Your golden years are what you make of them, and for some, that can mean re-entering the workforce or pursuing a new, rewarding career path. Fortunately, there are plenty of jobs for skilled seniors that suit different skills and interests and provide a source of extra income.

Take control of your finances with SoFi Coach. You can easily view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard: bank and investment balances, current debts, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Easily set up budgets and spot upcoming bills. And get personalized insights on everyday money questions and take action with Coach chat, the AI guide that’s powered by the playbooks of SoFi Financial Planners, so its guidance comes from expert knowledge.

Meet SoFi Coach, your smart personal guide to getting your money right.

FAQ

Can seniors still work full time and receive Social Security benefits?

According to the Social Security Administration, yes, if you’ve already reached your full retirement age, then you can work and earn as much as possible without a reduction in benefits. If you are under full retirement age for the whole year, then you can earn up to $24,480 in 2026 without a reduction. For income earned beyond that annual limit, your benefits would be lowered by $1 for each $2 earned.

What types of job skills are in high demand?

Generally speaking, management and leadership skills are appreciated by many employers, and these are skills seniors may have well developed over the years. It’s important to be able to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, and to work well with others. However, the specific skills you need may vary, depending on the job you’re applying for.

What type of work-life balance should working seniors expect?

Maintaining a work-life balance is especially important for working seniors. As you consider re-entering the workforce, you’ll want to consider your physical and mental health as well as your finances, and ensure that whatever job you take on will fit with your lifestyle. As an older adult, you may discover that you don’t have quite as much stamina as you once did, but you may also find that you have more time open in your schedule than before.

How many 65-year-olds are still working?

According to 2025 labor force data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 11.8 million workers out of a total of 170.1 million were age 65 and older. That translates to roughly 7% of the total labor force.

What’s the best job for a retired person?

The best job for a retiree or senior depends on factors such as their job experience, skills, and how much flexibility they are looking for. For example, a recently retired nurse or doctor who still has an active license may want to consider a telehealth position, which would allow them to work from home.

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Photo credit: iStock/Vesnaandjic

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. The products, services, or features discussed may not currently be available via the SoFi platform. Any references to third-party products, services, or companies do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation by SoFi. Readers should independently evaluate their options and consider their individual financial needs and circumstances before making any decisions. ©2026 SoFi Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

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Here’s the key difference between income and net worth: Income is the amount you earn, while net worth is the total value of your assets minus any debt. When it comes to measuring your financial health, income isn’t the metric that matters. No doubt, you do want to know whether your income will help you reach your goals, but looking at your net worth can be a better measure of your overall wealth.

Here, take a look at net worth vs. income and how they factor into your financial health.

Income vs Net Worth: Two Measurements of Wealth

Both income and net worth can help measure the chances of someone creating wealth. However, the difference is that income is the primary way someone builds wealth, whereas net worth measures your level of wealth. To put it another way, income is how you make money, but it doesn’t necessarily lead to creating wealth.

Looking at your net worth allows you to see the value of all your assets and liabilities at a specific point in time. It gives you a sense of your financial health in terms of whether you own more assets — such as your home, investments and cash — than liabilities (any money you owe, such as credit card debt). Your net worth also allows you to see how much of your wealth is held in assets or cash. And it offers a reference point to help you measure your progress toward your financial goals.

Recommended: Should I Sell My House Now or Wait?

Is Net Worth More Important Than Income?

While income is a key aspect of your finances, net worth is typically more important. That’s because even if you have a large income, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll generate more wealth than someone else who may have a slightly lower one. Sure, having a larger income can help you build wealth faster, but it’s all in how you handle your finances, such as the amount of money you save.

Say your friend makes $100,000 per year but has a lot of debt, leading their net worth to be $15,000. On the other hand, you make $70,000 but have invested over 10 years, to the point where your net worth is $100,000. You have more wealth and, therefore, are more likely to be financially stable than your friend.

Another instance where income doesn’t correlate with wealth is when someone is older and getting ready to retire. Their income may be lower because they’re working part time, but their wealth could be in the millions because they’ve worked for many years.

All this to say, income is important but only as important as how you use it to reach your financial goals.

SoFi Coach℠ Chat is a tool designed to help you view and analyze your financial data, get personalized insights, learn about SoFi products, troubleshoot issues, and take certain actions in chat. Coach responses are information for you to consider and not financial advice. Coach responses are based on limited information from your connected accounts and may have inaccuracies. The insights are meant to help you think about your finances and options —they are not advice or recommendations, and they do not guarantee results. Coach may offer you options to explore SoFi products on which SoFi would earn revenue. You are solely responsible for any financial decisions you make. Coach is offered by Social Finance, LLC.

How to Calculate Income

Calculating your income doesn’t simply mean looking at the number on your paycheck. You’ll also want to factor in other sources of income, such as any government benefits, commissions, tips and dividends. Don’t forget to include irregular or occasional income sources such as cash gifts, inheritances, and even tax refunds.

Make sure that when you add these up, it’s your net income and not gross income, as that will give you a more accurate picture of what you’re bringing in. Gross income is pretax money before deductions are taken out. Net income, on the other hand, is income that has taxes and deductions taken out.

Recommended: What Is the Average Salary in the U.S.?

Example of Calculating Income

Say you have a day job that offers bonuses and commissions. You also invest in securities that provide dividends.

Here’s how you would calculate your income:

•   Annual net salary: $64,350

•   Annual commissions: $3,500

•   Annual bonus: $2,000

•   Annual dividends: $3,234

TOTAL INCOME: $73,084

You can then use this total to calculate monthly and weekly income. In this case, it’s $6,090.33 per month and $1,405.46 per week.

How to Calculate Net Worth

Calculating your net worth involves creating a net worth statement so you can see a snapshot of your assets and liabilities.

Start by looking at your assets and determining the total amount of all accounts under this category. Assets are items that have some sort of monetary value. These include:

•   Checking accounts

•   Savings accounts

•   Your home

•   Real estate

•   Retirement fund

•   Personal property (such as your vehicle)

•   Pension equity

•   Securities (such as stocks and bonds)

•   Life insurance policy

•   Profit-sharing equity

Once you’ve calculated all of your assets, you’ll need to calculate the total amount of your liabilities. Liabilities are any debts or financial obligations you have, including:

•   Mortgage

•   Credit card balance

•   Personal loans

•   Auto loans

•   Student loans

•   Unpaid medical and dental bills

•   Home equity loans

•   Money you owe to family and friends

•   Unpaid taxes

After totaling up your assets and liabilities, subtract the latter from the former. The resulting number is your net worth. If your liabilities are greater than your assets, you have a negative net worth. The more assets you have than liabilities, the higher your net worth will be.

Example of Calculating Net Worth

As an example, say that Barbara has decided to calculate her net worth. First, she lists out her assets and liabilities:

ASSETS

Checking accounts	$600
Savings accounts	$10,000
Home	$365,000
401(k) balance	$24,399
Vehicle (current value)	$32,590
Brokerage account	$12,000
TOTAL:	$444,589

LIABILITIES

Mortgage	$200,000
Car loan	$29,251
Credit card	$4,126
Student loans	$36,700
Personal loans	$13,857
Unpaid medical bill	$300
TOTAL:	$284,234

Once she’s written that all out, she is able to calculate her net worth using the following formula:

Total assets – total liabilities = net worth

$444,589 – $284,234 = $160,355

Barbara has a positive net worth of $160,355.

Recommended: 52-Week Savings Challenge

Ways to Improve Your Net Worth

Ideally, you’ll have a positive net worth that keeps growing over time. Here are several ways to improve your net worth.

1. Keep Track of Your Assets and Debt

Tracking your assets and debt will give you an accurate picture of where you stand. That way, you’ll be able to see your progress and what you need to improve or keep doing to grow your net worth. For instance, if you notice that your debt keeps growing, you can use this information to help you figure out why and take steps to rectify the situation.

2. Pay Off Debt

The fewer liabilities you have, the more your net worth will grow. To build your net worth, you can focus on making sure you’re making on-time payments and avoid taking out new loans if possible. If your budget allows, consider making extra payments toward loans to pay down your debt faster. Monitoring your spending can also help you free up more money to put toward debt. It may take a couple of months to identify areas of overspending, but doing so can be worth the effort.

3. Increase Your Income

Getting a higher salary will help you build wealth by paying off debt or putting money toward investment accounts. Ideally, you want to increase your income and pay off your debts as soon as you can. To increase your income, you can consider negotiating for more in your current job, looking for a new job, or starting a side hustle.

4. Invest

Sticking your cash in a savings or checking account can earn some interest. To accelerate your wealth-building journey, you may want to consider investing some of your money.

You might start investing by contributing to your employer-sponsored account (bonus if they offer a match), and then branch out to other products as you see fit.

The Takeaway

Your net worth is a snapshot of your finances at a specific point in time and will fluctuate. It’s a good measure to see whether you’re on track with your financial goals. It can also be a better indicator of your overall financial status than income. The more you track your assets and liabilities, increase your salary, and pay down your debt, the more your net worth can grow.

Take control of your finances with SoFi Coach. You can easily view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard: bank and investment balances, current debts, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Easily set up budgets and spot upcoming bills. And get personalized insights on everyday money questions and take action with Coach chat, the AI guide that’s powered by the playbooks of SoFi Financial Planners, so its guidance comes from expert knowledge.

Meet SoFi Coach, your smart personal guide to getting your money right.

FAQ

What’s more important, income or net worth?

Income and net worth tell you different things about your finances, so which is more important depends on what information you are looking for. Income reveals how much money you earn in a year, while net worth is a better indicator of your overall wealth and financial status.

Is your annual income part of your net worth?

While your annual income contributes to your cash flow, it does not necessarily add to your net worth. The amount of your income that you put in savings, investments, or other assets, however, can grow your net worth.

What is the top 1% income in the US?

To be a top 1% earner in the U.S., you currently need to earn around $800,000 a year. However, the threshold can vary by location. In some states, such as Connecticut and Massachusetts, you need to earn over $1 million to be a top 1% earner.

How do I figure out my net worth?

To calculate your net worth, you will first need to determine your total assets, which includes your bank accounts, personal property, and retirement fund, and your total liabilities, which are your debts and other financial obligations. You can then find your net worth by subtracting your total liabilities from your total assets.

How do I calculate my real income?

To calculate your income, you’ll want to consider sources of income other than just your paycheck, such as government benefits, commissions, tips, gifts, and tax refunds. Adding up these numbers will determine your net income. Net income factors in taxes and deductions, giving you a more accurate idea of what you are making than gross income, which is the pretax amount.

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Photo credit: iStock/GOCMEN

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. The products, services, or features discussed may not currently be available via the SoFi platform. Any references to third-party products, services, or companies do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation by SoFi. Readers should independently evaluate their options and consider their individual financial needs and circumstances before making any decisions. ©2026 SoFi Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

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If you fail to pay a debt, your creditor will do everything they can to get you to pay them back. Eventually, they may even send your debt to a collections agency that will get to work recovering the money you owe. The collections agency may hound you to pay your debt, potentially threatening to garnish your wages until it’s settled.

But what happens if you don’t believe you owe the debt in the first place? You may have already paid it off, and the collections agency didn’t know. Or a scammer may have gotten hold of your personal information and used it to fraudulently open an account that’s now delinquent.

If you don’t believe a debt is yours, this guide can help you take steps to dispute a debt and win.

How to Dispute a Debt

When receiving calls about a debt that isn’t yours, your first step is to collect as much information about the debt as possible. Find out who is calling, the name of the company, the company address, and the company phone number. At this point, don’t give out any personal information. Doing so could come back to bite you later, especially if you’re dealing with a scammer.

By law, collectors have to provide a letter with information on the debt and their contact information within five days of the initial call. Once you receive it, contact the original company to which you supposedly owe money to find out more about the debt.

While you’re at it, you may also want to find out what type of collector is calling. Is it in-house collections, a hired collections agency, or a debt buyer? In-house collections departments should have the most information at their disposal about the debt, while the others may have incomplete information, which could signal the potential for mistakes.

If the collector won’t give you information about themselves, it is a red flag that you may be dealing with a scammer.

SoFi Coach℠ Chat is a tool designed to help you view and analyze your financial data, get personalized insights, learn about SoFi products, troubleshoot issues, and take certain actions in chat. Coach responses are information for you to consider and not financial advice. Coach responses are based on limited information from your connected accounts and may have inaccuracies. The insights are meant to help you think about your finances and options —they are not advice or recommendations, and they do not guarantee results. Coach may offer you options to explore SoFi products on which SoFi would earn revenue. You are solely responsible for any financial decisions you make. Coach is offered by Social Finance, LLC.

What Is a Debt Dispute Letter, and How Do I Write One?

Once you’ve got the address of the collector, send a debt dispute letter within 30 days of receiving the information. Fail to respond in this timeframe, and the collector can proceed as if the debt is valid.

Debt letters are not necessarily complicated to write. They may simply say that you’re writing about a collection on a debt you don’t think you owe. Ask the company to provide proof that you owe the debt in question and to stop contacting you if it can’t be proven. If there’s any other information you need that you haven’t gotten yet, you can ask for it at this point.

Keep a copy of the letter for yourself and track the copy you send so you can be sure it was received. A dispute letter alone will sometimes stop the collections calls.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provides a sample dispute letter that you can mail to collectors.

Can a Debt Collector Contact You If You Dispute the Debt?

Once they receive the letter, the collections agency has to stop contacting you until it sends you a debt validation letter that documents that you owe money.

With this letter in hand, contact the original creditor and ask them if they have any record that you’ve taken out a loan and are delinquent. If not, they may decide to stop pursuing the debt.

Regularly monitoring your credit score is one way to keep financial matters from slipping through the cracks. A money tracker app can also help. The SoFi app connects all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see all your balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score monitoring, and get other valuable financial insights.

Know Your Rights Under FDCPA

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal statute that governs how debt collectors are allowed to act. There are certain things collectors are not allowed to do, including the following:

•   Collectors cannot call before 8:00am or after 9:00pm, and they are not permitted to call you at work if you’re not allowed to take those calls.

•   They are not allowed to harass you with threats of violence, profane language, or by calling repetitively.

•   They cannot present you with false information, including how much you owe and who is collecting the debt.

•   They cannot speak to anyone about your debt besides the original creditor, credit reporting agencies, and your lawyer. That said, they can contact others to try to find you as long as they don’t discuss the nature of your debt.

•   Collectors cannot engage in unfair practices, such as charging more than allowed by your state.

If a collector violates these rules, you may sue them in civil court, where you may win monetary compensation or they may be subject to fines.

Is There a Statute of Limitation on Debt?

Debts can exceed a statute of limitations, becoming too old to collect. Rules will vary by state, but collectors generally have three to six years. Once the statute of limitations is up, the debt becomes a “time-barred” debt. A collector can still try to collect, but they don’t have a legal standing to make you pay it.

When you contact a collector for the first time, be sure to find out when the debt was supposedly incurred. Contact your state attorney general’s office to find out what the statute of limitations is in your state to determine if the debt is time-barred.

What Not to Do When You’re in Debt

It is likely not fruitful to dispute debt that you do actually owe. If you are in debt, do what you can to pay it off, even when it’s been sent to a collector. Unpaid debt will damage your credit score, making it more difficult and expensive for you to seek credit in the future.

Keep on top of your debt with tools such as a spending app, which helps you track how you spend and save each month and manage upcoming bills.

Ways to Remove Collections from Your Credit Report

If collections on a debt you don’t owe show up on your credit report, you may dispute your credit report with the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax^®, TransUnion^®, and Experian^®.

You’ll need to send a dispute letter that includes your contact information, a list of mistakes with account numbers, an explanation of how the information is incorrect, a request to have the collections removed, and supporting information about how the dispute should be reported. Note that if information changes on your credit report, it’s possible your credit score may drop after a dispute.

If you pay off a debt and it’s no longer in collections, you may send a letter to the agency asking them to remove the collections from your credit report. The collector may remove the information from your report as a courtesy, though they don’t have to.

Recommended: Closing a Credit Card With a Balance

Check Your Credit Reports Regularly

It’s a good idea to check your credit report regularly. Make sure there are no errors on the report, and be on the lookout for evidence of credit card frauds or accounts that were opened fraudulently. You can receive a free credit report from each of the credit reporting bureaus once a week via AnnualCreditReport.com.

Recommended: Guide to Canceling a Credit Card Payment

The Takeaway

If collectors are asking you to pay up on a debt you don’t believe you owe, dispute it as soon as possible. In some cases, it may be a purchase or debt that slipped your mind, or it may be an error. If the debt is particularly difficult to prove or disprove, you may need to hire a lawyer who can help you settle the matter in court.

Take control of your finances with SoFi Coach. You can easily view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard: bank and investment balances, current debts, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Easily set up budgets and spot upcoming bills. And get personalized insights on everyday money questions and take action with Coach chat, the AI guide that’s powered by the playbooks of SoFi Financial Planners, so its guidance comes from expert knowledge.

Meet SoFi Coach, your smart personal guide to getting your money right.

FAQ

How do you fight a collections agency and win?

If a collection agency is trying to collect a debt you don’t owe, your best course of action is to gather information about the debt and send a dispute letter immediately, asking for debt validation. This is sometimes enough to stop the collections process. But if a debt is difficult to prove or disprove, you may need to hire an attorney.

Can I dispute a debt sold to a collections agency?

Yes, you can dispute a debt sold to a collections agency. You have 30 days after the first contact to send a debt dispute letter.

What is the best thing to say when disputing a collection?

A dispute letter should say that you’re writing about a debt you don’t owe. It should also ask that the collector prove the debt or cease contacting you.

How long do I have to send a dispute letter?

You must send a debt dispute letter to the address of the collector within 30 days of the initial contact. If you don’t dispute within this time frame, the collector can proceed as if the debt is valid.

How long is the statute of limitations on debts?

Debt collectors generally have between three and six years to collect the debt from you, depending on which state you live in. Contact your state attorney general’s office for more information on your state’s statute of limitations.

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Photo credit: iStock/PeopleImages

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. The products, services, or features discussed may not currently be available via the SoFi platform. Any references to third-party products, services, or companies do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation by SoFi. Readers should independently evaluate their options and consider their individual financial needs and circumstances before making any decisions. ©2026 SoFi Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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If you’re a consumer in the United States who has a credit history, then you probably have a credit score. More than one, in fact.

FICO® Scores are far and away the most widely used, as 90% of lenders rely on them to assess a borrower’s creditworthiness. That said, there’s no single credit score that matters the most. Lenders can and do use a variety of credit scores to determine whether to approve your application for credit and what terms to offer you. Whether you’re looking to make a major purchase or focused on building up your credit profile, it’s a good idea to understand the different types of credit scores out there and how to keep tabs on yours.

Types of Credit Scores

You may have noticed that your credit score varies depending on which website you visit. That’s perfectly normal. As mentioned, anyone with a credit history probably has more than one score.

One reason for this is that the three main credit bureaus — Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion® — may each receive slightly different information from lenders. As a result, your score could vary by bureau.

In addition, there are multiple different ways to calculate a credit score based on the information available. That’s why there’s sometimes a gap between your VantageScore vs. FICO scores.

This can be an important difference to understand, since VantageScores are often the credit scores available for free through online platforms. You may sometimes see one credit score (your VantageScore) when you get a free credit report but then be surprised to learn when you apply for a credit card or loan that your FICO Score is different.

Recommended: FICO Score vs. Your Credit Score

How FICO Works

Generally speaking, your FICO Score is calculated based on the following factors and their relative weights:

•   Payment history (35%): This reflects how often you’ve made on-time payments on your debt. Late or missed payments or accounts sent to collections can negatively impact your score.

•   Amounts owed (30%): This is your credit utilization ratio, or the amount of available credit that you’re using. Ideally, the lower the better, but aim to keep this ratio below 30%, which is when it can start to significantly impact your score.

•   Length of credit history (15%): This looks at the average length of your credit accounts. Typically, a longer history is a sign to lenders that you have more experience successfully managing your debt.

•   New credit requests (10%): When you open a credit account, the lender may do a “hard” credit inquiry, which could cause your score to temporarily drop.

•   Credit mix (10%): This refers to the mix of credit types in your portfolio, which may include credit cards, car loans, or other types of credit.

How Experian Works

As one of the three main credit reporting bureaus in the U.S., Experian collects information about your credit accounts and payment history and includes those details in your Experian credit report.

The bureau does make it possible for you to access your FICO Score for free, though it also offers a paid membership that provides credit score monitoring for all three bureaus.

How Equifax Works

Equifax is another U.S. credit reporting agency that offers similar services to Experian.

Again, while you’ll likely have a credit report from both Equifax and Experian, the scores may differ slightly based on the information each bureau has collected. It’s worth noting that Equifax also allows you monthly access to your VantageScore credit score based on the agency’s data.

Which Credit Score Bureau Is Best?

There’s no one “best” credit score bureau. All three bureaus collect consumer information and produce credit scores.

When you want to look at your credit report, it’s a good idea to request a copy from each of the bureaus. That’s because lenders may choose to pull your credit report from any one — or all — of them. By checking all three scores, you can be aware of negative information that affects your credit score and have a chance to correct any inaccuracies you see.

Recommended: Why Does Creditworthiness Matter?

How Can You Obtain Your Credit Score?

You have several options when it comes to accessing your credit score. You may be able to see it on your credit card statements or when you bank online. You can use free credit score websites or purchase your score from a credit bureau.

MyFICO offers a free service that allows you to check your FICO Score and receive your Equifax credit report each month. You can also pay for a plan that includes three-bureau credit report access, identity theft insurance, and more.

Another avenue to consider: A spending app, which often offers credit scores. Unless otherwise indicated, you’ll likely be seeing your VantageScore credit score.

Remember, credit scores update about once a month, or roughly every 30-45 days for FICO Scores, so it’s a good idea to check yours every so often.

How Can You Obtain Your Credit Reports?

While your three-digit score is a great way to see how your credit is faring, the best way to fully understand everything in your credit history is to read the full credit report. If you see any information that looks suspicious or incorrect, you can file a dispute directly with the credit bureau to have it removed.

Every American is entitled by law to pull their credit reports from all three bureaus for free once a week via AnnualCreditReport.

What Is a Good Credit Score Range?

FICO Scores range from a low of 300 to a maximum of 850. (That’s right: The starting credit score is not zero.) Here’s how FICO categorizes scores:

•   300-579: Poor

•   580-669: Fair

•   670-739: Good

•   740-799: Very good

•   800-850: Exceptional

If your score is lower than you’d like, be aware that it can take some time to build credit.

One great way to build your credit is to try to lower your overall credit card utilization. This means paying down your debt, particularly balances on revolving debt. And because on-time payments count for such a heavy part of the score, keeping up with your bills each and every month can also be a big help.

Finally, try not to sweat every fluctuation. Sometimes, filing a dispute or multiple hard inquiries in a short time frame can ding your score, but those dips tend to be temporary.

The Takeaway

If you have a credit history, then you likely have more than one credit score. So which credit score matters the most? Short answer: whatever score the lender uses when considering your application for credit. Generally, FICO Scores are used in most decisions, though each lender has its own policies around which scoring model and version to use.

Regardless of the scoring model, staying on top of your bills, paying down debt, and regularly reviewing your credit report can help ensure you’re on firm financial footing.

Take control of your finances with SoFi Coach. You can easily view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard: bank and investment balances, current debts, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Easily set up budgets and spot upcoming bills. And get personalized insights on everyday money questions and take action with Coach chat, the AI guide that’s powered by the playbooks of SoFi Financial Planners, so its guidance comes from expert knowledge.

Meet SoFi Coach, your smart personal guide to getting your money right.

FAQ

Is FICO or TransUnion more accurate?

FICO and TransUnion serve different purposes. FICO is a credit scoring model that uses a proprietary algorithm to calculate credit scores. TransUnion is one of the three major credit reporting bureaus in the United States that collects credit information about consumers from lenders and creates credit reports.

Do lenders look at FICO or TransUnion?

What a lender reviews — whether it’s just your credit score (like your FICO Score) or your complete credit report (like one from TransUnion) — usually depends on the type of credit you’re applying for. For smaller lines of credit, such as a credit card, they may only check your score. But for larger loans, such as a mortgage, they’re more likely to dig into your full credit history.

Why is my FICO score 100 points lower than Credit Karma?

Credit Karma provides its users free access to their VantageScore, which is calculated using a different algorithm than the FICO Score. If your score on Credit Karma is different from your FICO Score, it’s likely because of the different calculations.

What is a good FICO score?

According to FICO, a “good” credit score falls between 670 and 739. Credit between 740 and 799 is considered “very good,” while credit scores of 800 and above are considered “exceptional.”

Do lenders use FICO or Vantage?

The majority of U.S. lenders use FICO Scores to assess a potential borrower’s creditworthiness. However, a VantageScore is what you’re more likely to see on many web platforms that offer free credit scores.

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Photo credit: iStock/tolgart

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. The products, services, or features discussed may not currently be available via the SoFi platform. Any references to third-party products, services, or companies do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation by SoFi. Readers should independently evaluate their options and consider their individual financial needs and circumstances before making any decisions. ©2026 SoFi Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

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