How Much Money Do Influencers Really Make at Coachella?
From brand deals to exclusive content, the financial side of Coachella for influencers is a game of big bucks and big influence
Coachella, one of the world’s most iconic music festivals, has become not only a destination for music lovers but also a hub for influencers to make serious money.
While the festival is known for its impressive line-ups, fashion-forward attendees, and unforgettable experiences, the financial opportunities for influencers are often less talked about—yet incredibly lucrative.
So, how much are influencers really making at Coachella?
The Big Picture: Coachella’s Influence and the Rise of Brand Activations
With more than 150,000 people flocking to the festival each year, it’s no surprise that Coachella has transformed into a massive marketing platform.
For influencers, Coachella offers a chance to collaborate with brands, attend exclusive parties, and, of course, post sponsored content for their millions of followers. But attending Coachella isn’t just about the experience—it’s about monetizing every moment.
A report from The New York Post gathered several testimonies in 2022 from influencers attending the festival and the money they made: take Maryam Ghafarinia, for instance. With 186,000 Instagram followers at that time, she has attended Coachella multiple times, yet she admits to never actually seeing a single performance.
«There is so much work,» Ghafarinia says. The Los Angeles lifestyle blogger wakes up at 7 a.m. to get ready for a full day of brand activations, photo shoots, and content creation.
And what does she make for all that effort? Around $10,000. This isn’t a fluke either; Ghafarinia charges between $2,000 for a simple photo to $3,500 for a sponsored video reel. But the catch is that brands don’t just want one post—they want more. They want influencers like Ghafarinia to attend multiple events, create various types of content, and make a constant stream of posts leading up to and during the festival.
A more recent testimony from LA-based influencer Justine Camera Roll has revealed that influencers can earn tens of thousands of dollars for attending Coachella, with some even surpassing the $20,000 mark. She has shared on multiple occasions that the potential earnings from brand collaborations, sponsored posts, and other activations during the festival can be incredibly lucrative for those with substantial followings.
@justinescameraroll let me get financially transparent about Coachella for a sec. #coachella ♬ original sound – Justine’s Camera Roll 📸✨
The Big Bucks: How Much Do the Top Influencers Make?
For those with millions of followers, the payday at Coachella can go far beyond $10,000. Influencers like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid are Coachella staples, and their brand deals can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Amy Luca, a senior VP at Media.Monks, points out that some influencers are reaching more people than the Oscars broadcast. This is why brands are willing to pay big for influencers who can showcase their products to such a wide-reaching audience. Whether it’s beauty products, fashion brands, or lifestyle goods, the exposure influencers provide during Coachella can be invaluable.
In fact, many well-known brands have paid huge sums to get influencers to attend the festival and promote their products. These high-profile brand activations at Coachella can see influencers earning tens of thousands for a single event, often involving everything from Instagram stories to full-fledged YouTube videos or TikTok posts.
@thediaryofchar $30,000 to have a good time and post it? yeaaahhhh we gotta lock in #coachella #influencer #paytransparency ♬ original sound – thediaryofchar
However, not all influencers attending Coachella receive direct monetary compensation, especially those from outside the United States. According to a source linked to influencer marketing in Europe, who spoke to LOS40, many influencers don’t get paid but instead have their trips funded by brands, primarily covering flights and accommodations.
The New York Post article from April 2022 highlights the substantial earnings of influencers attending Coachella, with some making up to $10,000 through brand partnerships. However, the influencer marketing landscape in the U.S. has evolved since then.
According to Forbes, as of December 2024, influencer marketing spending in the U.S. reached $8.14 billion, growing more than three times faster than social ad spending, and is expected to remain ahead in 2025. This growth is accompanied by a shift towards long-term partnerships, with brands increasingly viewing creators as strategic partners for sustained growth. Additionally, the rise of micro and nano-influencers has been notable, as they often offer higher engagement rates and more authentic connections with audiences, making them valuable assets for brands seeking targeted campaigns .
The Reality for Mid-Tier Influencers
As we mentioned before, not all influencers are scoring massive deals like the top stars, but even mid-tier influencers can make significant amounts of money at Coachella.
For example, The Post‘s article shows that Noel Elie, a wellness and fashion influencer, made plans to attend Coachella with the goal of earning around $10,000. However, her situation changed when the event was delayed due to the pandemic, but in 2025, she secured a deal with a fashion brand paying her $2,500 for several posts, she revealed.
This is typical for influencers with around 100,000 followers—deals may not be as high, but they’re still a valuable source of income. As Elie puts it, “It’s about retaining my audience’s trust.” Influencers know that authenticity and alignment with their audience’s values are key, so they carefully select brand partnerships that fit their personal brand.
@reesienotes #stitch with @Justine’s Camera Roll 📸✨ Post that content yall ! follow my main page for updates : @Love Reesie 🌹 ♬ original sound – Reesie | Creator Strategist
For those who don’t get a full sponsorship package covering their trip, like fashion influencer Francis Kenneth, the game is about «activations,» she explained The Post.
Kenneth planned to pick up a few $500 brand activations during the festival, a much more modest income compared to influencers with larger audiences. These brand deals often involve influencers attending events or promoting specific products while at Coachella.
How Much Does It Really Cost to Attend Coachella?
While influencers are making big bucks at Coachella, the festival isn’t without its costs.
To attend Coachella, one needs to consider not just the ticket price but the cost of accommodations, transportation, food, and additional expenses.
A general admission ticket starts at $599, and VIP tickets can soar up to $1,199. If you’re not camping, hotels can cost anywhere from $5,000 to over $10,000, depending on the location and level of comfort. Influencers may also need to hire photographers or videographers to help shoot their content, adding another layer of expenses.
Despite the costs, influencers know that the investment often pays off. The exposure and content generated from the event are well worth the hefty price tags, especially when you’re earning thousands for a single post.