How to Make 6 Figures As A Automation Engineer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a automation engineer? Good for you! Being a automation 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 automation engineer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Digital products ($242K/month)
As an automation engineer looking to boost your income, creating and selling digital products could be a lucrative path toward making six figures. Whether you develop software tools, craft an instructional ebook, design an online course, or run a membership site, the possibilities are abundant and align well with your technical expertise.
Digital products are especially attractive because they are easy to create and distribute. Without the need to handle physical inventory, you could build and sell your products directly from your website, simplifying the process and minimizing risks. This entrepreneurial venture allows you to leverage your specialized knowledge and potentially create a lasting secondary income stream.
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.
2. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As an automation engineer, supplementing your income through affiliate marketing could open doors to achieving six figures. By leveraging your technical skills and understanding of industry tools, you could promote relevant software, hardware, and educational resources to a targeted audience. The low-cost nature of affiliate marketing means minimal initial investment, allowing you to focus on creating valuable content and driving traffic to your referral links.
Engaging in an affiliate marketing venture allows you to utilize your expertise to build trust with your audience, positioning yourself as a reliable source of information. As you gain traction, the commissions from successful referrals could significantly boost your income, complementing your regular earnings and edging you closer to that six-figure goal.
Starting an affiliate marketing business offers the flexibility to work on it alongside your full-time job. This supplementary income could not only enhance your financial stability but also expand your skill set, making you more versatile and entrepreneurial-minded in your career as an automation engineer.
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.
3. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could significantly supplement your income as an automation engineer, helping you reach the six-figure mark. By leveraging your industry expertise, you could offer personalized guidance and strategic support to clients looking to advance in their own careers, whether it's through resume building, interview preparation, or navigating workplace dynamics.
With the flexibility for in-person or virtual meetings, you could build a client base and generate an additional revenue stream, all while maintaining your full-time job. Providing specialized advice and accountability, you could empower others to achieve their professional goals, ultimately making meaningful connections and boosting your own financial success.
This entrepreneurial venture could be particularly advantageous if you possess a talent for speaking and a knack for motivating others, allowing you to monetize these skills. Plus, you would have the autonomy to set your own schedule and determined the scope of your services, making it an attractive side business for any ambitious automation engineer.
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.
4. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
As an automation engineer, becoming a social media influencer could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and potentially reach six-figure earnings. By leveraging your unique expertise, you could create content on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn, offering industry insights, tutorials, and reviews of the latest automation technologies. This specialized content can attract a large audience of both fellow engineers and tech enthusiasts, effectively establishing your credibility in the field.
Brands often seek influencers who can provide authentic recommendations and insights to their target audience. As an established professional, you could collaborate with these brands for sponsored posts, product endorsements, or even exclusive partnerships, adding additional revenue streams. Moreover, engaging with your audience through Q&A sessions, live demonstrations, or webinars could further boost your influence and earning potential.
Creating a niche-focused content strategy is vital. This not only helps you to grow a dedicated following but also positions you as a thought leader in the automation industry, offering long-term career benefits both online and off.
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.
5. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a lucrative side business for an automation engineer, leveraging your expertise to create valuable content for both peers and enthusiasts. By sharing how-to tutorials, project case studies, and industry insights, you could attract a dedicated following, capitalizing on YouTube's established monetization system and incredible popularity.
Once you reach the YouTube Partner Program's threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in a year, you could start earning ad revenue. Additionally, the channel could open doors to sponsorship deals, affiliate marketing, and even paid consulting opportunities, ultimately helping you reach that six-figure income.
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.
6. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a lucrative side business for an automation engineer looking to supplement their income and eventually make six figures. By creating and producing audio content focused on automation, technology trends, and career advice, you could attract a dedicated audience of like-minded professionals and enthusiasts.
With minimal startup costs, such as a decent microphone and hosting platform, and by leveraging your existing industry knowledge, you could establish yourself as an authority in your field. As your podcast gains traction, you might attract sponsors and advertisers, offering a significant revenue stream. Promoting your content through social media and online communities could further expand your reach and income potential.
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 an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could significantly supplement your income as an automation engineer, potentially steering you towards a six-figure salary. An eCommerce business involves selling products or services online, offering advantages like lower overhead costs and the ability to reach a global audience. Given the booming trend of online shopping due to its convenience and efficiency, now is a great time to leverage these benefits.
To get started, you'll need to set up a website, integrate payment processing software for credit card transactions, and choose a shopping cart solution alongside inventory management tools. This side venture could eventually grow into an entirely self-sustaining business, providing additional financial security and possibly surpassing your current salary. Combining your technical skills with entrepreneurial ambition could open new revenue streams and elevate your overall earning potential.
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.
8. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Creating an online course could be a highly profitable venture for an automation engineer aiming to make six figures. By identifying educational gaps in automation and sharing your specialized knowledge through engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could cater to a growing market of professionals eager to upskill.
The flexibility to offer self-paced or cohort-based learning structures allows you to build a loyal student base and generate passive income. With relatively low startup costs, this approach could provide a lucrative, scalable revenue stream, making it a compelling side business or even a full-time endeavor.
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.
9. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog focused on automation engineering could significantly boost your income by establishing you as an expert in the field. With a vast audience—77% of internet users read blogs and 20 billion pages get viewed monthly—you could tap into this market to share insights, tutorials, and industry news, attracting readers and followers interested in your specialized knowledge.
This broader reach could open up various income streams, such as paid partnerships, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing. Additionally, you could offer your own products or services, like e-books, online courses, or consulting services, thus creating multiple avenues to supplement your income and potentially achieve six-figure earnings.
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.
10. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could provide a lucrative avenue for you to make six figures as an automation engineer. Given your expertise in automation, you could leverage social media marketing tools to streamline your operations, reducing the time commitment while maximizing productivity. By developing robust social media marketing strategies and showcasing your services through a comprehensive agency portfolio, you could attract a steady stream of clients seeking efficient and effective online marketing solutions.
This venture offers the flexibility to work around your existing job, supplementing your income to clear utility bills, finance education, or save for a vacation. With the growing demand for digital marketing expertise, your entrepreneurial mindset and technical skills could position you to excel in this field, potentially transforming your side hustle into a thriving business.
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
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.
11. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be an excellent way to supplement your income and reach six figures as an automation engineer. Leveraging your industry expertise, you could write technical articles, how-to guides, or even eBooks tailored to other engineers or industry stakeholders. This approach not only monetizes your existing knowledge but also builds your authority in the field.
With strong writing skills and the ability to meet deadlines, you could attract high-paying clients across various niches. The flexibility of freelance work allows you to define your schedule and work from home, making it possible to balance with your primary job. Embracing current writing tools and trends and maintaining proper communication skills will ensure you stay competitive and in demand within the freelance market.
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.
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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.
