How to Make 6 Figures As A Social Worker? ( Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: October 8th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a social worker? Good for you! Being a social worker 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 social worker - 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 social worker and potentially make six figures. By leveraging your expertise and experiences, you could create engaging content that resonates with a wide audience, offering valuable advice, sharing case studies (with confidentiality), or even providing tutorials on social work best practices.

YouTube has an established monetization system, allowing you to earn revenue through ad views, sponsored content, and membership fees once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within 12 months. With dedication and by promoting your channel effectively, you could transform your passion for content creation into a significant side business, helping you build a unique YouTube channel success story while providing value to your viewers.

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

Starting an affiliate marketing business could be a practical and rewarding way for social workers to supplement their income and work toward earning six figures. By promoting other companies' products or services and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral, you have the opportunity to leverage your networking and communication skills in a new way. This venture is particularly appealing because it requires minimal upfront investment and allows you to work flexibly alongside your primary career.

Signing up for affiliate programs in niches you are passionate about could enable you to generate additional income with low overhead costs. By using your unique tracking links to drive traffic and sales, you can earn commissions without the need to create or own products. This side business could not only provide financial stability but also offer a creative outlet that complements your work as a social worker.

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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3. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)

Creating an online course could significantly boost your income as a social worker by allowing you to monetize your specialized knowledge and skills. By identifying educational gaps in areas like mental health, child welfare, or family therapy, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials that address these needs. This not only serves a valuable educational purpose but also taps into the growing market of lifelong learners seeking convenient, expert-led courses.

Launching an online course platform offers flexibility, whether you opt for self-paced or cohort-based classes, and presents a lucrative opportunity with relatively low startup costs. With the potential for passive income, this venture could help you achieve a six-figure salary while also fulfilling your passion for information-sharing and helping others. For entrepreneurial-minded social workers, this is an excellent way to leverage your expertise into a profitable side business or even a full-time income stream.

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 (?)

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

Starting a blog could be an excellent way to supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a social worker. By sharing your expertise and experiences, you could attract a large readership, leveraging the fact that blogs are one of the most trustworthy sources of online information. With 77% of internet users reading blogs, the audience is there, ready to consume content that you find both enjoyable and relevant to your profession.

You could monetize your blog through various methods such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and selling digital products like e-books or online courses tailored to your field. Each month, around 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages, indicating a vast potential for high traffic that could translate into significant earnings. With a well-structured content strategy and consistent posting routine, your blog could evolve from a side hustle into a full-fledged business.

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

Starting an ecommerce store could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a social worker. By leveraging the booming online retail market, you could set up a flexible business that fits around your primary job. This could include selling products related to your expertise, like therapeutic tools, self-help books, or even handcrafted items that you make in your spare time.

An ecommerce business comes with lower overhead costs compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores, making it a highly feasible side gig. You would benefit from increased reach and convenience, as your store would be accessible to a wide audience at any time. With minimal initial investment in setting up your website, payment processing, and inventory tracking software, this venture could gradually grow to provide a significant supplemental income, potentially pushing your earnings into the six-figure range.

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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6. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income and fast-track your journey to making six figures as a social worker. With the ability to automate many processes using social media marketing tools, you would not need to commit an overwhelming amount of time, making it easier to balance with your primary job responsibilities. Developing a robust social media marketing strategy and creating a compelling agency portfolio would allow you to efficiently serve clients and grow your business.

By focusing on marketing to target customers, you could attract a steady stream of clients in need of your expertise, whether to enhance their online presence or grow their customer base. This entrepreneurial venture provides the flexibility to manage your workload and financial goals, such as clearing your utility bills, financing your higher education, or saving for that much-needed vacation.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,166,667/month

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

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

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

As a social worker with an entrepreneurial mindset, you could supplement your income by becoming a social media influencer. By leveraging your expertise in social work, you could create content that offers valuable insights, tips, and support to your audience, while potentially partnering with brands that value your niche.

Given the power of social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, brands are eager to collaborate with influencers who can authentically connect with their target audience. With a well-thought-out strategy and consistent content, you could build a large following and establish credibility, enabling you to monetize your platform through brand deals, sponsored posts, and even online courses or eBooks.

Embracing this opportunity could not only provide a significant boost to your income but also allow you to widen your impact as a social worker by reaching a broader audience.

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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8. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business offers social workers the flexibility to supplement their income and potentially reach a six-figure salary. By leveraging their expertise and strong writing skills, social workers could produce content across various niches, such as mental health, social justice, or personal development, which are always in demand. This side hustle or full-time endeavor allows for work from home at any time, fitting seamlessly around a social worker's primary job.

Additionally, as a freelance writer, you could enjoy the autonomy to set your work schedule, giving you the freedom to balance both your social work responsibilities and writing projects. The key to earning good money in this field includes meeting deadlines, staying updated with current writing tools and trends, and possessing strong communication skills. By honing these qualities and being a self-starter, social workers could convert their writing business into a significant income stream, boosting overall earnings.

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

Starting a podcast could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a social worker while sharing your unique insights and expertise. By creating content around crucial topics in social work, such as mental health management, community support strategies, or policy changes, you could attract a dedicated audience that values your perspective.

With a relevant and engaging podcast, you might not only build a loyal listener base but also open doors for sponsorships and advertisements. Additionally, promoting your podcast through social media and online communities could significantly expand your reach and credibility, allowing for the possibility of transforming your side business into a substantial income stream.

With relatively low startup costs – a basic microphone, headphones, and an affordable hosting platform – the barrier to entry is minimal, making it an accessible and promising opportunity for entrepreneurial social workers.

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

Starting a career coaching business could empower you to make six figures as a social worker by leveraging your expertise in human resources and your natural motivational abilities. By offering personalized guidance and strategy services, you could assist clients with resume building, interview preparation, and achieving workplace advancement goals, all while building a flexible, client-focused practice.

Additionally, you could conduct sessions either in-person or virtually, broadening your client base and allowing you to set your own schedule. This entrepreneurial venture could not only supplement your income but also enable you to make a significant impact on others' professional lives, translating your coaching skills into tangible financial success.

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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11. Digital products ($242K/month)

Starting a digital products business could help you make six figures as a social worker by leveraging your expertise and reaching a broader audience. Digital products, whether it’s an informational ebook, an online course, or a membership site, allow you to share your knowledge and experience in areas like mental health, case management, or self-care strategies. These products are incredibly scalable, meaning the same ebook or course can be sold an unlimited number of times.

Creating digital products is a fully flexible venture since you can build and launch them on your own schedule. There's no need for physical inventory or warehousing, which reduces overhead costs and allows you to sell directly from your website or other online platforms. This approach not only provides a supplemental income stream but could eventually grow into a substantial revenue source, making a six-figure income more attainable.

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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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.