How to Make 6 Figures As A Database Administrator? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: September 9th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a database administrator? Good for you! Being a database administrator is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.

In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a database administrator - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)

As a database administrator, leveraging your technical expertise and industry know-how to become a social media influencer could significantly boost your income potential. By creating content on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn that addresses common challenges, shares tips, or reviews the latest tools and technologies in database management, you could attract a substantial following. Brands related to tech, software, and educational services may offer lucrative partnerships for promoting their products to your engaged audience.

Moreover, the rapid growth of social media means that influencers are in high demand. By establishing credibility in the database industry and consistently providing valuable content, you could generate additional revenue streams through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and even paid consultations. This entrepreneurial approach could see you not only supplementing your income but potentially breaking into the six-figure range.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

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2. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)

Starting an ecommerce store could offer you a lucrative way to supplement your income and potentially achieve six figures as a database administrator. With lower overhead costs and increased flexibility compared to brick-and-mortar businesses, an ecommerce venture could fit well with your existing skill set and busy schedule.

Given the current boom in online shopping due to its convenience and efficiency, you'll have the chance to tap into a growing market. By leveraging your analytical and technical skills, you could set up a seamless and secure website where customers can browse your offerings and make purchases easily. Managing inventory and payment processing could be straightforward with the right software solutions, allowing you to focus on optimizing your business and reaching a wider audience.

How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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3. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)

Supplementing your income as a database administrator by becoming a freelance writer could be a lucrative move, allowing you to reach that six-figure milestone. The flexibility of freelance writing means you could work from home and define your own schedule, making it easier to balance with your primary job responsibilities.

With strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and a flair for communication, you could create content for various niches, perhaps even leveraging your expertise in database administration. This dual approach not only diversifies your income streams but also expands your professional footprint, keeping you on the cutting edge of both industries and driving your entrepreneurial spirit.

How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)

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4. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)

Considering your technical background as a database administrator, you could leverage your analytical and problem-solving skills to start a social media marketing agency as a lucrative side hustle. The advantage of this venture is its flexibility; you could automate much of the work using social media marketing tools, giving you the freedom to balance it alongside your primary job.

By developing a strong marketing strategy and creating a compelling agency portfolio, you could attract a steady stream of clients without committing excessive hours. This extra income could help you pay off bills, fund education, or save for vacations, all while diversifying your income streams. If successful, this side business could even grow into a full-time endeavor, potentially pushing you towards the six-figure income mark.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

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5. Digital products ($261K/month)

Starting a digital products business could provide an excellent opportunity for database administrators to supplement their income and potentially reach six-figure earnings. Leveraging your expertise, you could create software tools, educational courses, or even eBooks that cater to the specific challenges within the database management community.

The beauty of digital products lies in their simplicity and scalability—they are easy to create, share, and distribute. This means you could sell your products directly from your website without worrying about inventory, thus providing an effortless way to build a side business or even transition to a full-time entrepreneurial venture. With endless possibilities, tapping into this market could significantly enhance your financial future.

How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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6. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast about database administration could open doors to extra income and entrepreneurial success. By sharing your expertise and insights on the latest trends, best practices, and real-world challenges in the field, you could attract a dedicated audience of professionals looking to learn and grow. As your podcast gains traction, you could monetize through sponsorships, ad revenue, or even premium content and consulting services.

Additionally, you could use your platform to network and collaborate with other industry experts, further expanding your influence and opportunities. Given the rising popularity of podcasts, this venture could significantly supplement your income and potentially pave the way toward a six-figure career.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

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7. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could significantly supplement your income as a database administrator. By sharing your expertise through tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and industry insights, you could attract a following of tech enthusiasts and professionals seeking to learn and stay updated with database technologies. With YouTube’s established monetization system, reaching a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months could enable you to join the YouTube partner program and start earning ad revenue.

Additionally, producing high-quality content regularly and effectively promoting your channel could open up opportunities for brand sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and even selling your own products such as eBooks or online courses. Leveraging YouTube’s incredible popularity could help you create a steady stream of additional income, potentially paving the way to a six-figure salary.

How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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8. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog as a database administrator could be an excellent way to supplement your income and ultimately help you make six figures. By sharing your insights, experiences, and tips related to database management, you could establish yourself as a thought leader in the field. This position may allow you to leverage various monetization strategies like sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and online courses.

Given that 77% of internet users read blogs and blogs are rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information, your content could attract a significant audience. With approximately 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion pages each month, a well-executed blog could provide a lucrative revenue stream. Additionally, a consistent blog posting routine and a mailing list to keep your audience engaged could further boost your earning potential.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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9. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)

Creating an online course could be a lucrative avenue for you to supplement your income as a database administrator. By identifying educational gaps in the field of database management, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials to teach specialized skills to a broad audience.

With options for self-paced or cohort-based structures, you would have the flexibility to cater to different types of learners, which could help you build a robust student base generating passive income. For those who enjoy sharing knowledge, launching an online course platform offers a cost-effective way to monetize your instructional talents and tap into the growing demand for convenient learning resources among aspiring or established database professionals.

How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

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10. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)

Starting an affiliate marketing business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a database administrator. As an entrepreneurial-minded individual, you could leverage your technical skills to create a blog or YouTube channel focused on database administration tips and tools. By joining affiliate programs related to your field, like software companies or educational platforms, you could earn commissions for every sale made through your unique tracking links.

This side venture requires minimal upfront investment, making it an accessible option to start while maintaining your primary job. Since you don’t need to own or create the products yourself, your main task would be to use your marketing skills to drive traffic and generate sales. If successful, this could grow into a significant income stream that complements your primary career.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

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11. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)

Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a database administrator, making it possible for you to reach six figures. You could leverage your extensive knowledge in database management to offer specialized coaching sessions tailored to aspiring tech professionals, helping them achieve their career goals through personalized guidance on resume building, interview preparation, and professional development.

By conducting these coaching sessions either virtually or in-person, you could build a diverse client base and create multiple revenue streams. This entrepreneurial venture allows you to monetize your natural ability for motivation and human resources expertise, all while maintaining the flexibility to set your own schedule.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.