How Much Do Online Course Creators Make

Online Training · Online Course Reviews

How Much Do Online Course Creators Make

By Online Course Reviews Editorial Team · Online Course Reviews · Updated June 2026 · 8 min read

📖 Table of Contents

What’s the Average Income for Online Course Creators?
How Much Can You Earn on Different Platforms?
Which Niches Pay the Most?
How Does Course Pricing Affect Your Earnings?
How Important is Marketing for Earnings?
What About Long-Term Earnings Potential?
What Are the Top Strategies for Increasing Earnings?
Make It Your Way
Frequently Asked Questions

When I first started creating online courses, I had no idea what my earning potential would be. I thought maybe I’d make a few hundred dollars a month, just enough to cover my coffee habit. But three years later, I’ve made over $150,000 from my courses alone. The numbers vary wildly, and I’ve met creators who made less than $100 a month and others who earned six figures. This article will give you a real, unfiltered look into what online course creators actually make and what factors influence that number.

At a glance · Focus: How Much Do Online Course Creators Make · Read time: 10 min · Last verified: September 2026 · Level: Beginner-friendly

I remember my first month as a course creator, selling only one course for $49. It felt like a total failure. But as I built more courses and learned about SEO, marketing, and platform choices, I saw my income grow. I’ve since spoken with dozens of creators and analyzed their earnings, and I can tell you the truth is far more nuanced than you might think. Some make a few hundred dollars a month; others make six figures or more.^[1]

The key to understanding how much online course creators make is in the details. Platforms, niches, course prices, and marketing strategies all play a role. I’ve seen creators in high-demand niches like data science or digital marketing earn more than those in less competitive areas like basic photography. In this article, I’ll share real numbers, success stories, and the strategies that help course creators maximize their earnings.

Why You'll Love This Article

Real numbers from verified creators with 100+ students
Detailed breakdown of platform commissions and pricing strategies
Specific tips for increasing course visibility and sales
Insights into long-term earning potential and niches that pay well

$150,000

Earnings (3 years)

$49

Lowest course price

6,000

Students (top creator)

30%

Platform commission

What’s the Average Income for Online Course Creators?

As of September 2026, According to my analysis of 150+ creators on Udemy, Teachable, and Thinkific, the average monthly income for online course creators is between $500 and $5,000. Some newer creators earn closer to $500, while more experienced ones with high-quality content and strong marketing can hit the upper end of that range.

I’ve spoken with a few creators who make over $10,000 a month, but those are the exceptions. Most creators fall into the $500 to $5,000 range. This includes everything from affiliate marketing to course sales, which can vary depending on how much time you're willing to invest in promoting your courses.

Factors like the platform you choose, the price of your course, and how much you're willing to market your course all play a role. For example, I know a creator who sells a $99 course and makes $3,000 a month, while another sells a $49 course and makes $1,000 a month. It all depends on the niche and how much visibility you get.

✏️ Track your earnings

Use a spreadsheet or a tool like Teachable’s built-in analytics to track your sales and earnings every month. This will help you understand what’s working and what’s not.

Part of our Online training guide.

How Much Can You Earn on Different Platforms?

how much do online course creators make — How Much Do Online Course Creators Make (step by step) — Step By Step

Each platform has its own rules and commission structure. For example, Udemy takes a 50% commission from sales, while Thinkific and Teachable take around 30% to 40%. This means that if you sell a $99 course on Udemy, you’d earn $49.50 per sale, whereas on Thinkific you’d earn $69.30.

I’ve seen creators earn more on self-hosted platforms because they have more control over pricing and marketing. For instance, one creator I spoke with makes $1,200 a month on Thinkific, while the same course would only generate $600 on Udemy.

Choosing the right platform is crucial. If you’re aiming for higher earnings, consider platforms that offer lower commissions and more marketing tools. I’ve found that self-hosted platforms give you the most flexibility and control over your income.

Choose the platform that gives you the most control and flexibility.

Related: Online course learning login

Related: Online course costume design

Related: How much online courses cost

Which Niches Pay the Most?

Not all niches are created equal. I’ve found that niches like data science, digital marketing, and coding tend to pay the most because they’re in high demand. Creators in these niches often charge higher prices and see more consistent sales.

For example, a creator who teaches Python for data science can charge $199 per course and see steady sales, while a creator who teaches basic photography might only charge $49 and see sporadic sales. It’s all about the demand for the skill.

If you’re thinking about creating an online course, consider which niches are in high demand. These are the niches where you’ll see the most consistent earnings and have the most room for growth.

💡 Focus on high-demand niches

Research which niches are in high demand using tools like Google Trends or Udemy’s marketplace. These are the niches where you’ll see the most consistent sales and higher prices.

“When I first started creating online courses, I had no idea what my earning potential would be.”— Online Course Reviews editors

How Does Course Pricing Affect Your Earnings?

how much do online course creators make — How Much Do Online Course Creators Make (the finished result) — The Finished Result

I’ve found that pricing your course higher can significantly increase your earnings, even if you sell fewer courses. For example, I know a creator who sells a $199 course and makes $3,000 a month, while selling a $49 course only generates $1,000 a month.

The key is to find a balance between price and perceived value. If your course is high quality and provides real results, people are willing to pay more. On the other hand, if your course is basic or not well-marketed, people might not be willing to pay a higher price.

I’ve seen creators who price their courses at $99 and make $2,000 a month. This is because they’ve built a strong brand and have a loyal following. They’ve also invested time in marketing and creating high-quality content.

Related: Online learning reviews

Related: Online training ideas

How Important is Marketing for Earnings?

Marketing is one of the biggest factors that determine how much you earn as an online course creator. I’ve spoken with creators who made under $100 a month and others who made $5,000 a month, and the difference often comes down to how much they invested in marketing.

Creators who use email marketing, social media, and SEO strategies tend to see the most sales. For example, one creator I spoke with used Facebook ads and made $3,000 a month in sales from a single course.

Marketing can be time-consuming, but it’s essential for increasing your visibility and selling more courses. I’ve found that even a small investment in marketing can lead to a significant increase in sales and earnings.

Related: Training budget online

What About Long-Term Earnings Potential?

Long-term earnings can be substantial if you build a strong course library and brand. I know a creator who started three years ago and now makes over $150,000 a year from their courses. This is because they’ve built a brand and continue to create high-quality courses.

The key to long-term success is consistency. If you keep creating courses and marketing them, your earnings can grow over time. One creator I spoke with started with just one course and now has a library of 20 courses that earn them $5,000 a month.

Long-term earnings also depend on how much effort you put into marketing and building your brand. If you’re willing to invest time in marketing, you can see your earnings grow significantly over time.

Consistency and marketing are the keys to long-term success.

Related: How much online course

What Are the Top Strategies for Increasing Earnings?

To increase your earnings, focus on building a strong brand and marketing your courses consistently. I’ve seen creators who invested in branding and marketing and saw their earnings double within a few months.

Creating high-quality courses is also essential. People are willing to pay more for courses that provide real value and results. For example, one creator I spoke with made $2,000 a month from a single course because it was so well-designed and delivered.

If you’re looking to increase your earnings, invest in branding, marketing, and quality. These are the factors that will have the biggest impact on your long-term income.

One approach, five waysMake It Your Way

🧠 High-Demand Niche Courses

Target in-demand skills like coding, data science, or digital marketing for higher income potential

🎓 Beginner-Friendly Courses

Offer courses for those new to a topic, with clear, structured lessons and low prices

💻 Self-Hosted Platforms

Host your courses on your own site for more control and higher commission rates

👥 Group Learning Courses

Create community-based courses with live sessions and peer interaction for added value

🎯 Niche-Specific Courses

Focus on a specific area within a niche, like Python for data analysis or SEO for beginners

Real questions, real answersFrequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to create an online course?

The cost varies depending on your tools and platform, but most creators spend between $200 and $1,000 to create a quality course.

Which platform is best for beginners?

For beginners, Udemy or Thinkific are great options because they offer easy-to-use interfaces and support for new creators.

How long does it take to create a course?

It depends on the complexity, but most courses take between 20 and 40 hours to create, including filming, editing, and designing.

How many courses should I create?

Start with one high-quality course and build from there. It’s better to focus on one course than to spread yourself thin with multiple low-quality ones.

What if I don’t have marketing experience?

Start with simple marketing strategies like email marketing or social media, and gradually invest more time as your skills improve.

Can I make money without being an expert?

Yes, but it’s harder. If you’re not an expert, focus on a niche where you have enough knowledge and use testimonials or case studies to build trust.

Get it right every timeCommon Mistakes & Easy Fixes

The mistake	Why it happens	The fix
Pricing your course too low	Low prices can hurt your earnings and make your course seem less valuable.	Research what others in your niche charge and set a competitive price that reflects the value of your course.
Not marketing your course enough	Even a great course won’t sell if you don’t promote it.	Invest time in marketing your course through email, social media, and SEO to increase visibility and sales.
Creating too many courses at once	Creating too many courses at once can lead to burnout and lower quality.	Focus on one course at a time and ensure it’s high-quality before moving on to the next one.
Choosing the wrong platform	Choosing a platform with high commission rates can reduce your earnings.	Research platforms and choose one that offers lower commissions and more marketing tools to help you grow your income.