How to Make 6 Figures As A Pilot? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a pilot? Good for you! Being a pilot 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 pilot - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a pilot. With an established monetization system and incredible popularity, YouTube allows you to earn extra income by creating engaging content related to aviation, travel tips, or even a day-in-the-life as a pilot.
You could leverage your unique experiences and expertise to build a dedicated following. Once you reach the 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours mark required to join the YouTube Partner Program, you could start earning revenue through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. This additional income could significantly contribute to making six figures as a pilot.
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.
2. Create an online course ($83.3K/month)
As a pilot, you could tap into your specialized aviation knowledge to create an online course business, sharing your expertise with aspiring aviators or aviation enthusiasts. By identifying educational gaps within the aviation industry, such as advanced flight techniques, safety protocols, or career development advice, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials that resonate with eager learners.
This entrepreneurial venture offers flexible self-paced or cohort-based structures, allowing you to potentially build a substantial student base and generate passive income. With small startup costs and your passion for information-sharing, launching an online course platform could be a lucrative way to monetize your skills and move closer to earning a six-figure income without even leaving the ground.
How much you can make: $275 — $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.
3. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Start a Social Media Journey
As a pilot, creating a social media presence could significantly supplement your income. By sharing engaging content about your unique experiences and insights within the aviation industry on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok, you could attract a substantial audience.
Experience and Credibility
Your credibility as a professional pilot gives you an edge in establishing trust with your followers. Brands continually seek authentic influencers to promote their products or services, so your deep industry knowledge and relatable content could position you as an influential voice in the market.
Creating Content
To become a successful influencer, select a niche that aligns with your passion, such as aviation tips, travel adventures, or behind-the-scenes glimpses of a pilot’s life. By consistently sharing quality content and engaging with your audience, you could build a lucrative side business, potentially adding six figures to your annual earnings.
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 blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be an excellent way for pilots to supplement their income and even reach six figures. As a pilot, you have a unique perspective and wealth of experiences that can attract a broad audience; according to Optinmonster, 77% of internet users read blogs, and blogs are considered one of the most trustworthy sources of information online.
Blogging offers the flexibility to write from anywhere at any time, making it a perfect side hustle for pilots with unpredictable schedules. By choosing a niche you're passionate about and establishing a consistent content strategy, you could cultivate a loyal following. Monetization opportunities, such as advertising, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing, could eventually turn your blog into a substantial source of income, helping you reach that six-figure goal.
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.
5. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As a pilot, you could supplement your income and strive for a six-figure salary by venturing into affiliate marketing. This low-cost business model involves promoting other companies' products or services and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral. Given your unique travel-related experiences and broad network, you could effectively drive traffic and sales in niches related to travel, aviation, and lifestyle.
To get started, you would sign up for affiliate programs in your chosen niche and receive unique tracking links to monitor sales from your promotional efforts. This approach allows you to leverage minimal upfront investment while utilizing your marketing skills to generate additional revenue. Over time and with consistent effort, affiliate marketing could become a substantial source of supplementary income, helping you achieve your financial goals even faster.
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.
6. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a pilot and open up opportunities to reach six figures. By focusing on a niche aviation-related topic, you could attract an audience interested in the unique insights and experiences that you bring from your career. Whether it's sharing travel stories, providing tips for aspiring pilots, or discussing the industry’s latest trends, your podcast can cater to a dedicated listener base.
With basic recording equipment and free or affordable hosting platforms, starting a podcast is budget-friendly. By promoting your content through social media and online communities, you could build a loyal audience and eventually attract sponsors or advertisers. This entrepreneurial venture not only allows you to share your passion but also creates a potential pathway to significant additional income.
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.
7. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way for you to supplement your income and potentially reach six figures as a pilot. By leveraging your industry expertise, you could offer personalized guidance, support, and strategy services to help clients navigate professional transitions and achieve their career goals. This may include resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement tailored to each client’s unique aspirations.
The flexibility to hold in-person or virtual meetings allows you to build a diverse client base while working around your flying schedule. For pilots with natural motivational skills and a penchant for human resources, launching a coaching practice could be an excellent opportunity to monetize your talents. Beyond the financial benefits, you could empower others to achieve breakthroughs in their careers, all while setting your own work hours.
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.
8. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a pilot, helping you reach that six-figure milestone. Pilots often have flexible downtime between flights, which allows you to work on your writing assignments whenever it suits you. This means you could leverage the gaps in your flying schedule to generate additional income from home or even while you're on layovers.
Additionally, freelance writing offers the flexibility to choose the topics and niches you are passionate about, making the work both rewarding and lucrative. To succeed, you'd need strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and a self-starter attitude. Equipping yourself with up-to-date writing tools and trends, along with effective communication skills, will position you well to attract and retain clients.
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.
9. Digital products ($261K/month)
Supplementing your income with digital products could be an excellent way to make six figures as a pilot. Digital products, such as eBooks, online courses, or apps, are top-rated and easy to create and share. You could leverage your aviation expertise to design informative resources that other aspiring pilots or enthusiasts would find valuable.
Not only do digital products have the potential for high-profit margins, but they also don’t require physical inventory, making them less risky and easier to manage. By building a successful digital product line, you could create a steady stream of passive income alongside your flying career. The possibilities are endless, whether it's starting a membership site or developing a niche aviation-related software or game.
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. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could provide a substantial supplementary income for a pilot, potentially guiding you toward earning six figures. E-commerce businesses offer the benefits of lower overhead costs and increased flexibility, which complements the unpredictable schedules of a pilot. You could operate your online store during downtime between flights, allowing you to capitalize on both your flying career and entrepreneurial aspirations.
As the eCommerce sector continues to boom due to its convenience and efficiency, your store could rapidly reach a wide audience. Setting up a website, selecting shopping cart software, and managing inventory are the key steps to get started. The ability to maintain an online store from anywhere aligns perfectly with the travel demands of a pilot, making it a viable way to augment your income.
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.
11. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
As a pilot, you could leverage your skills to start a social media marketing agency, supplementing your income and potentially reaching a six-figure salary. Whether you're aiming to clear your utility bills, finance your college education, or save for a vacation, this side business is flexible and doesn't require a massive time commitment. By developing a solid social media marketing strategy and utilizing automation tools, you can efficiently serve multiple clients without compromising your flying schedule.
Furthermore, creating a robust agency portfolio could attract a steady stream of clients interested in your services. Your unique perspective as a pilot could also provide a niche angle to your marketing efforts, appealing to businesses related to aviation or travel. Combining your aviation career with an entrepreneurial venture in social media marketing could be a highly rewarding way to boost your overall income.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,166,667/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.
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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.
