13 Passive Income Ideas For Database Administrators [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a database administrator in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a database administrator today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a database administrator.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As a database administrator, you could leverage your technical skills to develop WordPress plugins that solve specific issues related to database management or optimization. Many websites run on WordPress and require plugins to function effectively, so there is a constant demand for innovative solutions.
You could create plugins that simplify database backups, improve performance, or enhance security, tapping into your area of expertise. Platforms like CodeCanyon or a dedicated website offer avenues to sell these plugins and generate passive income while helping website owners manage their databases more efficiently.
By focusing on a particular need, such as easier database maintenance or performance monitoring, you could carve out a niche in the WordPress plugin market. This entrepreneurial effort could supplement your income and turn your specialized knowledge into a valuable product for others.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.
2. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As a database administrator, you could leverage your expertise in data management to create a lead generation tool that captures potential customer leads for businesses. Using your skills, you could build a platform that automates the tedious task of finding new clients, making it easier for companies to focus on converting those leads into paying customers.
Your tool could integrate with various digital touchpoints like websites and social media, collecting valuable data such as email addresses and phone numbers. This would not only help businesses grow their customer base but also streamline their marketing efforts. Given the high demand for efficient lead generation solutions, this could be a lucrative side hustle that aligns well with your technical background.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.
3. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a database administrator, you could seamlessly venture into the AI-based business solutions space to supplement your income and explore innovative avenues. Your existing skills in managing and analyzing data position you well to understand and implement AI technologies that can optimize business operations. For instance, you could develop AI tools that automate repetitive tasks like data entry and report generation, dramatically enhancing efficiency for companies.
Moreover, AI solutions can provide insightful customer analytics and predict market trends, critical aspects where your database expertise can shine. The demand for AI is rapidly growing, and businesses are keen on solutions that offer a competitive edge. By leveraging user-friendly AI platforms, even without a deep tech background, you could build a profitable side hustle that caters to these needs and opens up new revenue streams.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
4. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a database administrator, you already possess a strong understanding of data management and backend systems—skills that are incredibly valuable when developing a mobile app. You could leverage this expertise to create apps that solve problems related to data storage, database management, or even offer analytics solutions tailored for various industries.
Starting a mobile app has become more feasible than ever, especially with a clear vision and some basic coding knowledge. You could either use your technical know-how to build the app or hire a skilled developer to bring your idea to life. Focus on creating an intuitive user experience, designing engaging interfaces, and thoroughly testing for functionality.
By tapping into the rapidly growing mobile app market, your app could potentially reach millions of users. With dedication and a solid marketing strategy, you could generate significant passive income and even create a new revenue stream that complements your existing career. The world of app development offers numerous opportunities for innovation, and with your background, you're well-positioned to make the most of it.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
5. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
As a database administrator, starting a podcast could be a practical way to generate passive income by sharing your expertise and insights in the field. You could choose a niche topic related to databases, such as data management practices, SQL tips and tricks, or career advice for aspiring database administrators. By discussing these subjects, you could attract an audience of tech enthusiasts and professionals looking to enhance their own skills.
To get started, you would need basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, which can be relatively affordable. By using a free or budget-friendly hosting platform, you can publish your episodes without significant upfront costs. Over time, as your audience grows, you might have opportunities to attract sponsors or advertisers, thereby creating a new stream of passive 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.
6. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a database administrator, you could supplement your income by creating and selling online courses focused on database management, SQL, or other related skills you are proficient in. With the e-learning market booming, there is a growing demand for quality courses, especially those that offer practical and industry-relevant knowledge.
Creating an online course allows you to share your expertise with a targeted audience of learners who want to improve their database skills. You can produce videos, write guides, or conduct webinars, and then sell these materials on popular online learning platforms. This way, you could make money passively as people purchase and enroll in your courses over time.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
7. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a database administrator, starting a niche website could be an effective way to supplement your income by leveraging your existing skills and knowledge. You could choose a specialized topic within the field of database management, such as SQL tips, database optimization techniques, or emerging database technologies, and create valuable content on these subjects. This would attract a dedicated audience of fellow database professionals eager to learn from your expertise.
Once your niche website gains traction, you could monetize it through affiliate marketing by recommending relevant tools and services, ad placements, or even selling your own digital products like eBooks or online courses. By investing time in research and optimizing your site for search engines, you can drive significant traffic and establish your website as a go-to resource in your niche, turning it into a reliable source of passive income.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
8. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As a database administrator, starting a niche blog could be a unique way to supplement your income by sharing your expertise with others in your field. You could focus on topics that resonate with fellow DBAs, such as troubleshooting common database issues, optimizing performance, or reviewing the latest database management tools. By creating how-to guides, top product lists, and detailed articles, you could attract a dedicated readership.
Monetizing your blog could involve gaining visibility through search engines and social media, securing affiliate links for database-related products, and collaborating with brands that offer services or tools in your niche. Additionally, you could develop a YouTube channel to provide video tutorials or interviews with experts, further engaging your audience.
Besides financial gains, a successful niche blog could increase your credibility and open doors to speaking engagements or consulting opportunities, further enhancing your career. Consistently creating valuable content and interacting with your readers could lead to a sustainable and rewarding side income.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
9. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
As a database administrator, starting a YouTube channel could be a great way to supplement your income while sharing your knowledge with a wider audience. You could create videos on topics like SQL tutorials, best practices for database management, or troubleshooting common issues. This content could be valuable to both beginners and experienced professionals looking to hone their skills.
With consistency and engaging content, your channel could grow to attract a large following. This, in turn, opens up opportunities for earning through ads, sponsorships, and even merchandise related to your niche. While it requires effort and planning, the financial and personal satisfaction from building a successful YouTube channel could be significant.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
10. Make passive income with a volleyball accessories business
Thinking about turning your passion for volleyball into a business? Consider starting a volleyball accessories business, an enterprise that caters to enthusiasts of this growing sport. In simple terms, it involves designing, manufacturing, and selling volleyball-related products such as knee pads, wristbands, custom jerseys, nets, and portable ball pumps.
As a database administrator, you could benefit from tapping into the growing demand for high-quality volleyball gear while leveraging your tech skills to manage an efficient online shop. You could use your expertise in data management to analyze market trends and customer preferences, helping you make informed decisions about what products to offer.
Running this business will involve market research, developing supplier relationships, and creating a strong online presence. If you have a knack for sports and entrepreneurship, a volleyball accessories business offers a balanced mix of creativity and practical engagement in a sport you love.
How much you can make: $1,000,000/month
CROSSNET, the world's first four-way volleyball game, went from $74,000 in revenue in 2018 to $2,250,000 in sales in just one year by attracting customers through social media, email marketing, and exclusive distribution agreements with retailers like Target.
11. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($148K/month)
As a database administrator, you could leverage your technical skills to start a social media automation business. This involves developing tools and services that automate social media activities like scheduling posts, responding to interactions, and analyzing engagement data. By doing this, you help businesses and influencers manage their social media presence more efficiently.
Given the increasing demand for consistent and strategic social media management, your ability to create or integrate software solutions would be highly valuable. You could tap into your knowledge of databases to ensure data is managed effectively, making the automation process seamless for your clients. This side business not only supplements your income but also allows you to use your skillset in a new and growing field.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
12. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($235K/month)
As a database administrator, starting an email marketing tool could be a practical way to supplement your income. Your expertise in managing data will come in handy when designing features to store, segment, and analyze customer information. By leveraging your technical skills, you could create a robust tool that automates email campaigns, helping businesses reach their customers more effectively.
Furthermore, the email marketing industry is thriving, with its market size projected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028. This presents a lucrative opportunity, allowing you to develop a tool that could attract a wide range of users—from entrepreneurs to real estate agents. With a modest initial investment in a domain and hosting, you could build a product that not only generates passive income but also provides a valuable service to businesses looking to improve their marketing efforts.
How much you can make: $120 — $2,083,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 170 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
13. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a database administrator, you could start an affiliate marketing business to supplement your income and build a source of passive income. This side hustle involves promoting products and services from other companies and earning a commission for every sale made through your marketing efforts. Given your technical skills, you could easily manage the back-end details and create a professional online presence.
Imagine partnering with software companies, cloud services providers, or even educational platforms that offer database training and tools. Your authority and knowledge in the database industry could make your recommendations more credible, leading to higher sales and commissions. By investing a bit of time to learn how to choose the right products to promote, you could turn this entrepreneurial venture into a rewarding and sustainable source of extra income.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 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.
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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.
