These days, many brands now ask the same big question: how much do influencer marketing agencies make?
Because of this, this is a smart question. If you know how agencies earn, you can:
- First, set a fair budget
- Next, Judge if prices are too low or too high
- Finally, decide if starting your own agency makes sense
In fact, influencer marketing is a huge and fast-growing industry, worth over tens of billions of dollars each year and still rising. That means there is REAL MONEY on the table for the right agencies.
Why influencer marketing agencies earn so much today
Today, influencer marketing is no longer a small side idea. Instead, it is now a core part of many brand plans.
The boom in influencer marketing
For example, brands love influencers because they bring trust and real voices. As a result, followers believe them more than ads.
Today:
- Right now, the influencer marketing market is worth about 24 billion dollars and keeps growing.
- In addition, reports show it can reach over 30 billion dollars+ in the next years.
Because of this growth, when brands put more money into influencer campaigns, a big part of that money flows through agencies that plan and run those campaigns.
Why brands pay agencies instead of going alone
On paper, many brands could talk to influencers on their own. However, they still hire agencies like TrustedIMA because agencies:
- First, find the right creators faster
- Second, check fake followers and poor engagement
- Third, handle contracts, briefs, and payments
- Finally, track numbers and ROI in a clear way
Overall, for busy brands, this saves time and stress. So, that is why agencies can charge strong monthly fees and still stay in demand.
how much do influencer marketing agencies make on average?
Now, let’s get to the main point: how much do influencer marketing agencies make in real numbers?
Typical monthly fees agencies charge
Across the market, many influencer marketing agencies charge between 1,000 and 18,000 dollars per month for their services.
In most cases, these fees often cover:
- First, influencer marketing strategy
- Next, creator research and vetting
- Then, content planning and review
- Finally, campaign tracking and reports
Some wider marketing firms show that influencer work can cost from 5,000 to 250,000 dollars per month for big, multi-channel campaigns. This happens when brands run global or long-term programs.
So in simple words:
- Small clients → around 1,000 – 3,000 dollars per month
- Medium clients → around 3,000 – 10,000 dollars per month
- Big brand retainers → 10,000 – 18,000+ dollars per month
If an agency has 5 – 10 active clients at once, total monthly revenue can quickly reach tens of thousands of dollars.
How much profit do they keep?
Of course, agencies do not keep all that as profit. They must pay:
- Staff and freelance team
- Tools and software
- Tax, office, and operations
- Sometimes part of creator fees up front
Still, a well-run agency can often aim for 20 – 30% profit margin after costs.
So if an agency makes 50,000 dollars per month in revenue, it might keep 10,000 – 15,000 dollars as profit in a good month. (This is just a simple guide number; each agency is different.)
What changes how much influencer marketing agencies make
Not all agencies earn the same. Several key things change how much do influencer marketing agencies make in real life.
Size and niche of the agency
A few big drivers are:
- Agency size
- Solo consultant → lower costs, fewer clients
- Small team (3 – 10 people) → more stable income
- Large agency → higher revenue but also higher costs
- Niche focus
Agencies that focus on one niche (like tech SaaS, beauty, gaming, or AI tools) can charge more because they understand that space deeply. - Reputation and case studies
Agencies that show clear wins like more sign-ups, sales, or app installs can move from “cheap vendor” to premium partner, which lifts prices.
Campaign scope, platforms, and regions
Earnings also change with:
- Number of platforms
Running campaigns only on YouTube vs across YouTube + TikTok + Instagram + Shorts changes the work and fee size. - Region and language
Brands in bigger or richer markets often have larger budgets. Global campaigns also pay more but are harder to run. - Length of contract
- One-off campaigns → quick cash but not stable
- 6 – 12 month retainers → steady monthly income, which agencies love
Agencies that sell long-term retainers and multi-platform packages usually earn much more per year than those selling one-off, small deals.
How influencer agencies make money: main income streams
To really understand, how much do influencer marketing agencies make, it helps to see how they earn.
Service fees and retainers
In general, most agencies earn money from service fees. Common models include:
- First, Monthly retainer
The brand pays a fixed monthly fee (for example 3,000 – 15,000 dollars) for ongoing strategy, management, and reporting. - Next, Project fee
One campaign with a set start and end date. Price is based on scope, creators, and expected results. - Finally, Strategy-only packages
Some agencies only build the plan and the brand handles creators. Good for smaller budgets who still want expert guidance. You can see an example of this style of offer in influencer marketing strategy services.
In the end, well-planned retainers are gold for agencies because they bring predictable cash flow each month.
Commissions, markups, and extras
On the other hand, many agencies also make money from extras, such as:
- First, Commission on creator fees
The agency may add a small percent on top of what they pay each influencer, to cover extra work and risk. - Next, Paid media management
Agencies boost top creator content with ads and charge fees to handle that spend. - Finally, Consulting and training
Teaching in-house brand teams, delivering workshops, or doing deep audits can bring extra high-margin income.
Some agencies also build own tools or platforms and charge for access, which can add more revenue streams over time.
Should you start or hire an influencer marketing agency?
By now, the picture is more clear. But there are two sides to this question.
Is running an agency right for you?
If you are thinking: “This sounds good. Should I start an agency?” ask:
- Do you understand creators and at least one platform very well?
- Can you handle client talks, reports, and sales calls?
- Are you ready for months that may be up and down at the start?
Running an agency can give a strong income once you build trust, show results, and get repeat clients. For more ideas on how pro agencies work with brands, see this guide on how agencies approach influencer marketing.
However, it is not “easy money.” It needs clear systems, strong follow-up, and constant learning. Reading more influencer marketing tips can help.
When to work with a trusted influencer agency
If you are on the brand side, it often makes sense to hire an expert agency when:
- your team is too small to handle creators
- you plan to invest serious budget and need to protect ROI
- you want data, tracking, and a clear plan, not just random posts
A trusted partner, like the team behind the influencer marketing blog, can guide you from “guessing” to “measurable growth”.
To learn even more about methods and trends, you can also read an in-depth influencer marketing market size study or this helpful influencer marketing strategy guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do influencer marketing agencies make a lot of money?
Yes, many do. Agencies that handle several mid to large clients can bring in tens of thousands of dollars per month in revenue, especially with long-term retainers.
2. How much do influencer marketing agencies make per client?
A common range is 1,000-18,000 dollars per month per client, based on scope, platforms, and services included. Big global brands can pay even more for complex work.
3. Do agencies pay influencers from their own fee?
Most of the time, creator fees are a separate part of the budget. The agency charges a management fee, and the brand also covers what each creator gets paid.
4. Can a solo person earn well as an influencer marketing agency?
Yes. A solo expert who offers smart strategy and tight execution can handle a few high-value clients and make a strong income with low costs, especially when focused on one niche.
5. What skills help agencies earn more?
Agencies that know strategy, data, and creator matching and that show clear case studies usually charge higher fees and win better clients.
6. Will influencer agency income keep growing?
Reports show that influencer marketing keeps growing in size and spend. As long as brands see good ROI, agencies that deliver real results should see income rise over time.
Conclusion
So, how much do influencer marketing agencies make?
They can earn:
- Thousands of dollars per client per month
- Strong total revenue when they manage many clients
- Healthy profit when they control costs and show clear results
For brands, this means paying more does not have to hurt. When you work with a TRUSTED, DATA-DRIVEN AGENCY, a higher fee can bring bigger returns, safer choices, and less stress.
For creators or marketers thinking of starting an agency, the message is also clear: there is real earning power here. But success comes from:
- Focus on one niche
- Honest tracking and reporting
- Strong relationships with both brands and creators
If you want to go deeper into how agencies work and how to choose the right partner, explore Trusted Influencer Marketing Agency and learn how a trusted team can guide your next smart move.