How to Make 6 Figures As A Systems Administrator? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a systems administrator? Good for you! Being a systems 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 systems 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 systems administrator, you could leverage your technical expertise and industry insights to establish yourself as a social media influencer. By sharing your knowledge on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn, you could build a following while providing valuable content on topics like cybersecurity, network management, and emerging IT trends. Your credibility in the tech industry positions you to attract a dedicated audience who trust your recommendations.
Brands are eager to engage with influencers who have a strong connection with their audience. By aligning with relevant tech companies and products, you could tap into sponsorship deals, paid partnerships, and affiliate marketing opportunities. This, in turn, could significantly supplement your income and potentially pave the way for earning six figures.
Starting a social media influencer career involves strategic content creation and consistency. By choosing a popular niche that aligns with your expertise and interests, you could steadily grow your following and convert your technical know-how into a lucrative side business.
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.
2. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could provide you with a supplemental income stream, allowing you to make extra money alongside your primary role as a systems administrator. By sharing your expertise and insights through engaging content, you could reach a broader audience, building a community of readers and potential clients. With the credibility of blogs being the 5th most trustworthy source of online information and 77% of internet users reading blogs, there's substantial potential for your content to gain traction.
This location-independent business could enable you to work anytime and anywhere, offering flexibility while still leveraging your technical skills. As your blog grows, you could monetize it through ads, sponsorships, or selling services and digital products, potentially turning it into a full-time profession. With approximately 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion pages each month, this venture could significantly boost your income and help you achieve six figures.
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.
3. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a systems administrator. By creating audio content focused on your expertise in systems administration, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in tech trends, troubleshooting tips, and career advice.
Utilizing your deep knowledge and passion for the field, you could establish yourself as a thought leader, thus opening doors to sponsorships and advertisers looking to target your niche audience. Additionally, you could leverage your podcast to offer premium content, consulting services, or even online courses, further diversifying your revenue streams.
Finally, with minimal initial investment in basic recording equipment and a hosting platform, starting a podcast is not only financially feasible but also scalable as your audience grows. By promoting your podcast effectively through social media and tech communities, you have the potential to build a substantial and profitable side business.
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.
4. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
One effective way to supplement your income as a systems administrator and move towards making six figures is by becoming an affiliate marketer. As an affiliate marketer, you could promote other companies' products or services and earn a commission for every sale made through your referral. This venture requires minimal upfront investment, making it an accessible and low-risk option for those with entrepreneurial aspirations.
You could leverage your technical skills to drive traffic and sales, which in turn earns you commissions on successful referrals. By signing up for affiliate programs in a niche you are passionate about, you could capitalize on your existing knowledge and audience. This supplemental income could significantly boost your overall earnings, helping you reach that six-figure goal.
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.
5. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could be a lucrative side venture to supplement your income as a systems administrator, potentially paving the way to a six-figure salary. With your technical acumen, you can easily handle the setup and maintenance of a website, as well as integrate payment processing, shopping cart software, and inventory tracking systems. Given the booming eCommerce market, you could leverage your skills to reach a global audience and offer products or services online.
An online business provides the flexibility to manage it alongside your full-time job, with lower overhead costs compared to brick-and-mortar stores. By automating many aspects of the business, like payment and inventory management, you could focus on scaling your operations and increasing profitability. This entrepreneurial endeavor could diversify your income streams and significantly enhance your financial standing.
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.
6. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
If you're looking to make six figures as a systems administrator, starting a social media marketing agency could be a great way to supplement your income. You could clear your utility bills, finance your college education, or save for a vacation without needing to commit significant amounts of time, thanks to the power of social media marketing tools.
As a systems administrator, you're likely already familiar with various digital tools, making it easier to develop a robust social media marketing strategy. By creating an agency portfolio, you could effectively market your services to potential clients and offer them efficient, automated solutions for their social media needs. Thus, leveraging your technical skills in a growing field could dramatically boost your income while giving you the flexibility to manage both your day job and your side business.
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.
7. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could significantly supplement your income as a systems administrator, offering a flexible online job that you can manage alongside your primary role. Given your strong technical background, there’s a growing demand for expertise in writing about IT-related topics, such as system architecture, cybersecurity, and network management. This niche expertise could command higher rates and attract steady clients.
As a freelancer, you get to define your work schedule, allowing you to take on writing projects during your off-hours or weekends. Successful freelance writing requires strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and staying updated with current writing tools and trends—all qualities that align well with the precision and up-to-date knowledge a systems administrator already possesses. With proper communication and self-starting abilities, your combined skill set could make freelance writing a lucrative side business, potentially pushing your total income into the six-figure range.
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.
8. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a fantastic way for you to supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a systems administrator. By sharing your expert knowledge, tutorials, and troubleshooting tips on your channel, you could attract a large audience of aspiring and current systems administrators looking to enhance their skills. Additionally, once you've met the requirements to join the YouTube Partner Program (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months), you could start earning revenue through ad placements.
Beyond ad revenue, you could leverage your channel for other income streams, such as sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and even selling your own courses or consulting services. With the growing demand for IT content on YouTube, your channel could become a significant source of passive income while also enhancing your professional reputation in the tech community. By consistently creating valuable and engaging content, you could build a loyal following and enjoy the financial benefits of YouTube's established monetization system.
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.
9. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)
Creating an online course could be a lucrative way for you to make six figures as a systems administrator. By leveraging your specialized skills and knowledge, you could fill educational gaps and develop detailed, engaging video lessons along with supplementary materials tailored to aspiring systems administrators or IT professionals.
This business model allows for great flexibility; you could offer courses on a self-paced basis or organize cohort-based structures. Beyond just sharing your expertise, launching an online course platform represents a profitable venture with relatively low startup costs, giving you the chance to generate passive income while serving a growing community of eager lifelong learners.
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.
10. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could significantly boost your income as a systems administrator, potentially helping you reach six figures. By leveraging your technical expertise and industry insights, you could provide valuable guidance to aspiring IT professionals, helping them navigate career transitions, interview preparations, and skill development.
Designing custom sessions for resume building, portfolio enhancements, and workplace advancement tailored to each client’s aspirations allows you to offer specialized support, making you a sought-after coach. The flexibility of virtual or in-person meetings enables you to build a diverse client base while setting your own schedule, offering a lucrative and satisfying side business.
Additionally, if you have a talent for speaking and a knack for motivational guidance, this venture could become a primary source of income, turning your career coaching into a highly profitable enterprise. With an entrepreneurial mindset, you could monetize your leadership qualities and human resources expertise while enjoying the freedom to dictate your work-life balance.
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.
11. Digital products ($261K/month)
Creating digital products is an excellent way for a systems administrator to supplement their income and reach six figures. You could leverage your expertise to develop software tools, eBooks, or online courses that cater to other IT professionals. For example, creating a membership site where you offer exclusive webinars, tips, and resources could provide a consistent revenue stream.
Digital products are particularly appealing because they are easy to create and share. You could build and sell these products directly from your website without the hassle of managing physical inventory. With practically endless possibilities, from apps to information-based content, digital products offer an entrepreneurial avenue that could significantly boost your income.
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.
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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.
