How to Make 6 Figures As A Big Data Engineer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a big data engineer? Good for you! Being a big data 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 big data engineer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Digital products ($261K/month)
As a big data engineer, you could significantly boost your income by creating and selling digital products. Whether it’s developing a niche software tool, crafting an insightful eBook on data analytics, or designing an advanced online course on big data technologies, the opportunities are endless. These products not only leverage your existing skills and knowledge but also provide a scalable business model without the overhead of physical inventory.
Digital products are relatively low-cost to produce and can be marketed to a global audience, maximizing your potential reach and revenue. Additionally, the ever-growing demand for specialized knowledge in big data means there is a ready market for quality digital content. By diversifying your income streams with digital products, you could position yourself well on the path to making six figures.
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. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)
Creating an online course could be an innovative path to making six figures as a big data engineer. By identifying educational gaps in your field, you could develop video lessons and supplementary materials that cater to eager learners seeking specialized knowledge. This provides a unique opportunity to monetize your expertise beyond your regular job.
With a flexible structure—self-paced or cohort-based—you could build a dedicated student base, turning your instructional talents into a source of passive income. The low startup costs and high demand for specialized big data skills mean that if you're entrepreneurial-minded, starting an online course could be a lucrative side business or even evolve into a full-fledged enterprise.
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.
3. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
As a big data engineer, starting a blog could offer a highly lucrative opportunity to supplement your income or even transition into a full-time entrepreneurial venture. Blogging allows you to share your expertise, insights, and experiences with a broader audience, establishing yourself as a thought leader in your niche. Given that 77% of internet users read blogs and blogging is rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information, your articles could quickly garner credibility and a substantial following.
Additionally, with approximately 409 million people viewing over 20 billion pages each month, a well-executed blog could attract significant traffic. This can open up revenue streams through advertising, sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and even premium content or consulting services. By providing consistently valuable content and engaging with your audience, it's entirely feasible to turn your blog into a significant income source 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.
4. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a lucrative side venture for a big data engineer aiming to make six figures. By choosing a niche related to big data, such as data science trends, machine learning techniques, or data management strategies, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in your field of expertise. This audience could range from aspiring data professionals to industry veterans, providing a platform for sharing knowledge and insights.
As your podcast grows in popularity, you could monetize it through sponsorships, advertisements, and exclusive content subscriptions. Furthermore, having a podcast can establish you as a thought leader in the big data community, potentially leading to consulting opportunities, speaking engagements, or partnerships, all of which could supplement your income. With minimal initial investment—basic recording equipment and a hosting platform—this side business could pave the way to achieving a six-figure 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.
5. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As a big data engineer, you could leverage your analytical skills and technical expertise to excel as an affiliate marketer, opening up a lucrative side income stream that could help you reach six figures. The technical knowledge you possess could enable you to master the analytics and optimization tools necessary to drive significant traffic and conversions.
By selecting affiliate programs closely aligned with your professional interests, such as software tools, technical courses, or data visualization platforms, you could optimize your marketing efforts with targeted campaigns. Given the minimal upfront investment required, this venture allows you to effectively use your spare time and ingenuity to build a steady and potentially substantial source of extra income.
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 career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative avenue to supplement your income as a big data engineer. With your analytical skills and industry experience, you could offer specialized guidance to aspiring data professionals, assisting them with resume building, interview prep, and career advancement strategies. By leveraging both in-person and virtual coaching sessions, you could build a diverse client base while setting your own schedule.
Additionally, your expertise could empower clients to navigate complex career transitions and reach their goals, making your services highly valuable. Your ability to provide actionable advice and accountability will make a significant impact on your clients' professional growth, and monetize your natural motivational abilities. Overall, this side business offers a meaningful way to boost your earnings while making a positive difference in others’ careers.
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.
7. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could provide an excellent opportunity for you as a big data engineer to supplement your income and potentially make six figures. Leveraging your analytical skills, you could optimize product listings, pricing strategies, and marketing campaigns to drive sales efficiently. With the lower overhead costs and increased reach of an online business, the potential for high profit margins is significant.
Given the eCommerce boom driven by consumer convenience, you could capitalize on this trend by offering in-demand products or niche items that cater to specific customer needs. Your technological expertise would also streamline the setup and management of the website, payment processing, and inventory tracking, ensuring a smooth and effective operation. This side venture could grow into a substantial source of income while allowing you to apply your technical skills in innovative ways.
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. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could significantly supplement your income as a big data engineer, enabling you to clear utility bills, finance further education, or save for a vacation. By leveraging your analytical skills, you could develop efficient marketing strategies that target the right audience, utilizing automated social media tools to save on time and effort.
Additionally, creating an impressive agency portfolio could attract potential clients, allowing you to build a steady stream of revenue. With a strategic approach, you could diversify your income and potentially grow this venture into a standalone business, helping you reach the coveted six-figure mark.
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.
9. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)
As a big data engineer, starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and potentially reach the six-figure mark. Your technical expertise and in-depth knowledge of data engineering could position you to write specialized, high-demand content within your domain. This can include blogs, technical documentation, white papers, or even industry reports, allowing you to leverage your existing skills in a new, lucrative way.
Freelance writing offers the flexibility to define your work schedule and work from home, making it an ideal side business alongside your primary career. With strong writing skills, an ability to meet deadlines, and up-to-date knowledge of current writing tools and trends, you could create a steady stream of income while expanding your professional horizons.
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.
10. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Supplementing your income as a big data engineer by becoming a social media influencer is a viable and lucrative option. With the widespread influence of platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, brands are continually seeking credible influencers to connect with their target audience. By focusing on a niche related to big data, technology, or analytics, you could create valuable content that not only educates but also engages a vast audience, thereby attracting brand partnerships and sponsorships.
As a big data engineer, you could leverage your knowledge and experience to produce insightful tutorials, industry news updates, problem-solving strategies, or case studies that resonate with your audience. This will not only establish you as a thought leader but also open doors to monetization opportunities through advertisements, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing. By strategically enhancing your online presence, you could pave the way to a six-figure income while expanding your professional network and personal brand.
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.
11. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an effective way to supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a big data engineer. With YouTube's established monetization system and its incredible popularity, a well-executed channel could become a lucrative side business. By leveraging your expertise in big data, you could create content that educates and engages viewers, such as tutorials on data analysis tools, case studies, or industry trends.
Joining the YouTube Partner Program to monetize your channel requires a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months. Achieving these metrics could allow you to earn revenue through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. While growth may take time and effort, many success stories demonstrate that a dedicated approach could help you build a substantial audience and create a successful, entrepreneurial venture.
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.
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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.
