How to Make 6 Figures As A Engineer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a engineer? Good for you! Being a engineer 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 engineer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could be a lucrative way for an engineer to supplement their income and potentially make six figures. With the skills to design and manage efficient systems, you could leverage your technical expertise to set up a professionally optimized ecommerce website, handling everything from payment processing to inventory tracking software seamlessly.
Ecommerce businesses boast lower overhead costs and heightened flexibility compared to traditional brick-and-mortar establishments, allowing you to reach a global audience right from the comfort of your home. As consumer behavior increasingly shifts toward online shopping due to its convenience, you could capitalize on this trend by selling specialized products or services that cater to specific niches, potentially turning a side hustle into a full-fledged, profitable enterprise.
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
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
2. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income as an engineer and potentially scale to a six-figure income. With the flexibility to automate tasks using social media marketing tools, you would not need to commit as much time, allowing you to manage this venture alongside your primary engineering career. By developing effective social media marketing strategies and creating a solid agency portfolio, you could attract and efficiently serve clients, making it easier to cover your utility bills, fund further education, or save for vacations.
Moreover, the demand for social media marketing services continues to grow, which brings considerable possibilities for scaling your side business. If you're entrepreneurial-minded, this could be a golden opportunity to diversify your income streams without straying far from your engineering expertise.
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
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
3. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Becoming a social media influencer could substantially supplement your income as an engineer by leveraging your technical expertise and industry credibility. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok are teeming with users seeking reliable and engaging content. By sharing your knowledge on these platforms, you could attract a large following and engage with brands in your industry willing to pay for your influence.
With the right strategy and engaging content, you could establish yourself as an authority in engineering topics that resonate with a broad audience. This could lead to lucrative brand partnerships, sponsored content, and other revenue streams, pushing your earnings into the six-figure range.
Whether it's through educational videos, product reviews, or how-to tutorials, your credibility as an engineer could be the key to creating a successful influencer brand.
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 (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
4. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a compelling way to diversify your income as an engineer. By sharing your engineering expertise, project insights, or industry trends, you could attract a robust following interested in your niche. This audience could be monetized through ad revenue, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
The established monetization system on YouTube makes it a viable platform for significant revenue generation. With dedication to content creation, achieving the milestone of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in a year could allow you to join the YouTube Partner Program and start earning.
Inspired by numerous YouTube success stories, you could leverage this platform to supplement your income or even evolve it into a sustainable business, all while capitalizing on your engineering skills and passions.
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
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
5. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be a highly effective way for you to supplement your income as an engineer. With the trustworthiness and broad reach that blogs have achieved—ranking as the 5th most reliable online information source—you could leverage your expertise to provide valuable content that attracts readers and potential clients.
As an engineer, you could share insights, tutorials, and industry trends, appealing to the 77% of internet users who read blogs. By creating engaging content and building a mailing list, your blog could transform into a profitable venture, with the potential to reach millions of viewers monthly and generate six-figure earnings.
This entrepreneurial approach allows for location independence and flexible working hours, making it a viable side hustle or even full-time career option.
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
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
6. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be an excellent opportunity to supplement your income as an engineer. By leveraging your technical expertise and strong writing skills, you could carve out a niche writing specialized content such as technical documentation, industry insights, and case studies for engineering firms or tech publications. The flexibility of freelance writing allows you to work from home and define your own work schedule, facilitating a balance with your primary engineering career.
To make six figures, you will need to be a self-starter, capable of meeting deadlines, and staying up-to-date with current writing tools and trends. Your ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear and engaging manner could set you apart from other writers, making you a sought-after freelancer in your field. By consistently producing high-quality content and expanding your client base, you could easily see your freelance efforts significantly boost your overall income.
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 (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
7. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could offer engineers an innovative avenue to supplement their income and potentially scale to a six-figure side business. By choosing a niche or topic related to engineering that you’re passionate about, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in your expertise and insights. Topics might include trends in technology, software development, or professional advice, which can engage listeners and build a community.
With basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and a free or affordable hosting platform, the initial investment is minimal, making it accessible. As your audience grows, you could monetize your podcast through sponsorships, advertisements, or even offering premium content. By promoting your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth, you could build a substantial following, ultimately turning a passion project into a lucrative business venture.
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
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
8. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As an entrepreneurial-minded engineer, you could explore the lucrative world of affiliate marketing to supplement your income and potentially make six figures. In this business model, you would promote other companies' products or services and earn a commission for every sale made through your referral. It's a low-cost venture since you don't need to create or own the products yourself; instead, you leverage your marketing skills to drive sales.
To get started, you would sign up for affiliate programs in your chosen niche, receive unique tracking links, and promote these products using various online channels. The minimal upfront investment makes this an accessible and attractive option for engineers looking to diversify their income streams without significant financial risk. Through strategic marketing and leveraging your technical skills, affiliate marketing could become a significant source of supplementary income, propelling you closer to the six-figure mark.
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 (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
9. Digital products ($261K/month)
Exploring the realm of digital products offers engineers a multitude of opportunities to supplement their income and potentially reach six figures. As an engineer, you could leverage your technical expertise to create software-based products, such as innovative apps, tools, or even specialized games, catering to niche markets in your industry. These products can be developed and distributed directly from your website, eliminating the need for physical inventory and reducing overhead costs.
Alternatively, engineers could also create information-based digital products, like ebooks, online courses, or even a membership site that shares valuable industry insights or technical training. With the widespread demand for continuous learning and professional development, these products can attract a significant audience. Given the low barriers to entry and the flexibility to scale your offerings, digital products can provide a sustainable path to augment your primary income and achieve substantial financial growth.
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 (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
10. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)
For engineers looking to make six figures, creating an online course could be a lucrative opportunity. By leveraging your specialized skills and knowledge, you could identify educational gaps in your field and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials. This not only allows you to share your expertise but also provides a scalable and flexible way to generate passive income.
Additionally, online courses can attract a broad audience, from aspiring engineers to professionals seeking to upskill. With minimal startup costs, you could build a student base eager for convenient access to emerging subjects, thereby generating significant revenue over time. For entrepreneurial-minded engineers, this is an effective path to monetize your instructional talents and achieve substantial financial success.
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 (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
11. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could provide an excellent avenue for you as an engineer to make six figures by leveraging your technical expertise and industry experience. By offering personalized guidance on resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement, you could help fellow engineers and professionals navigate career transitions and growth opportunities.
With the flexibility to hold in-person or virtual meetings, you could build a robust client base and empower clients through specialized advice and accountability. This entrepreneurial venture not only allows you to monetize your motivational skills and human resources expertise but also provides the freedom to set your own schedule while significantly boosting your income.
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 (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
