How to Make 6 Figures As A Business Intelligence Developer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: November 29th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a business intelligence developer? Good for you! Being a business intelligence developer 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 business intelligence developer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!

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

Creating an online course could significantly boost your income as a business intelligence developer by leveraging your expertise to fill educational gaps in the market. By designing engaging video lessons and supplementary materials on specialized topics within BI, you could attract a broad student base. This self-paced or cohort-based structure offers flexibility, allowing you to reach eager lifelong learners looking for convenient access to emerging subjects.

Beyond the satisfaction of sharing your knowledge, launching an online course platform presents an entrepreneurial opportunity with relatively low startup costs. Once established, this venture could generate passive income, helping you reach the six-figure mark while simultaneously advancing the field of business intelligence through education.

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 (?)

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

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.

Read by 28,999 founders

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

Starting a career coaching business could significantly boost your income as a business intelligence developer by leveraging your industry knowledge and professional expertise. You could offer personalized guidance to clients on navigating professional transitions, resume building, interview preparation, and achieving workplace advancement goals, thus creating a parallel revenue stream.

By providing specialized advice and holding clients accountable for their progress, you empower others while monetizing your skills and experience. Plus, the flexibility to conduct coaching sessions either in-person or virtually allows you to manage this side business alongside your primary job. This supplementary coaching business could pave the way to reaching the six-figure mark, offering financial growth and personal satisfaction simultaneously.

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 (?)

From Getting Fired At 24 To Growing A $140K/Month Online Community

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.

Read by 22,482 founders

3. Digital products ($242K/month)

As a business intelligence developer, supplementing your income with digital products could be an effective way to reach six figures. Digital products are highly versatile and can range from software tools specific to data analysis, to informative courses teaching others advanced BI techniques. The beauty of digital products lies in their simplicity to create and distribute; leveraging your expertise, you could produce and sell them directly from your website without the hassles of inventory management.

Given your domain knowledge, you could develop niche products like BI dashboard templates, specialized training programs, or membership sites offering exclusive insights and resources. This not only offers the potential for passive income but also extends your professional reach and reputation. With digital products' popularity and ease of creation, the possibilities to scale your business and increase your earnings are practically limitless.

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 (?)

How We Created A $30K/Month Marketplace Of Photo Filters And Digital Assets For Creatives

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.

Read by 11,086 founders

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

Starting a podcast could be a lucrative side venture that supplements your income as a business intelligence developer. By creating and producing audio content focused on your area of expertise, you could attract a dedicated audience of professionals and enthusiasts eager to learn about the latest trends and technologies in business intelligence. This could position you as an authority in your field and open up opportunities for sponsorships or advertising revenue.

Additionally, discussing real-world applications, offering career advice, and sharing industry insights on your podcast could resonate well with your audience. As your listener base grows, you might even monetize through premium content, online courses, or consulting services. By leveraging this combination of content and community, your podcast could help drive you towards 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

How I Started A Successful Podcast Production Company

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.

Read by 19,248 founders

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

Starting a freelance writing business could help you make six figures as a business intelligence developer by leveraging your industry knowledge to write highly specialized content. As a BI developer, you could write about complex data analytics, emerging BI tools, and industry trends, providing valuable insights that general freelancers might not offer. This niche content could command premium rates, allowing you to earn substantial supplementary income.

The flexibility of freelance writing lets you balance your side business with your primary role, choosing projects that fit your schedule. By establishing a reputation for quality content, you could attract more clients and possibly transition into a full-time writing career if desired. Strong writing skills, deadline management, and staying updated with industry trends are essential to thrive and maximize your earning potential in this field.

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 I Started A $80K/Month Content Writing Business

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.

Read by 24,872 founders

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

Becoming a social media influencer could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a business intelligence developer. By leveraging your industry expertise, you could establish credibility in the tech and data science niche. Brands are eager to engage influencers with specialized knowledge to connect with their target audience, often via platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.

As a business intelligence developer, you could create content that resonates with both budding and seasoned professionals in your field. Tutorials, industry insights, and product reviews are just a few types of content you could produce to grow your audience. Given the influx of brands into social media, they could be willing to pay top dollar for access to your specialized and engaged audience, potentially helping you make six figures.

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 I Started A $2.5K/Month Blog About Motherhood, Life And Travel

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.

Read by 7,481 founders

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

A social media marketing agency could be an excellent supplementary income stream for a business intelligence developer. With your analytical skills, you could develop targeted social media marketing strategies that deliver measurable results for clients, effectively leveraging data to optimize campaigns. This venture could easily be automated through various social media marketing tools, allowing you to manage it alongside your main job without excessive time commitment.

Additionally, creating an agency portfolio to showcase your services could attract more clients and establish your agency as a trusted brand. This entrepreneurial endeavor could help you achieve financial goals such as clearing utility bills, financing education, or saving for vacations, significantly boosting your overall income.

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 I Started A $80K/Month Content Writing Business

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.

Read by 24,872 founders

8. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could open up opportunities for you to supplement your income as a business intelligence developer. By creating insightful tutorials, data analysis walkthroughs, and industry-specific content, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in learning from your expertise. With enough effort and consistency, you might reach the required milestones—1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months—to join the YouTube Partner Program and start monetizing your videos.

Moreover, having a successful YouTube channel could enhance your personal brand, leading to consulting offers, speaking engagements, or even online courses. If you love content creation, YouTube's established monetization system and immense popularity could eventually turn your side venture into a substantial income stream, helping you edge closer to making six figures. While there's no quick route to success, leveraging these tools could certainly be a worthwhile endeavor.

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

How This Couple Makes $5K/Month Generating Content About Ways To Make Money Online

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.

Read by 14,584 founders

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

Starting an eCommerce store could be an excellent way for a business intelligence developer to supplement their income and potentially reach six figures. By leveraging your analytical skills, you could optimize your store's performance, enhance customer experience, and maximize sales using data-driven insights. This entrepreneurial venture allows you to enjoy lower overhead costs, increased flexibility, and a global reach compared to traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.

The convenience and efficiency of eCommerce appeal to today’s consumers, who prefer shopping online from their favorite brands. You could capitalize on this trend by setting up a website, integrating payment processing software for credit card transactions, and managing inventory with the right tools. Your expertise in data analytics could give you a competitive edge in identifying profitable niches, targeting the right audience, and scaling your business efficiently.

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

How I Started A $20K/Month Southern Inspired Candle Business

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.

Read by 72,453 founders

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

Starting a blog could be a lucrative way for you to supplement your income or even establish a side business as a business intelligence developer. By sharing your industry expertise and insights, you could position yourself as a thought leader, attracting a wide audience of professionals and companies looking for BI solutions. Given that blogs are seen as one of the most trustworthy sources of online information and are read by 77% of internet users, your blog could gain substantial traction.

Furthermore, you could monetize your blog through various channels such as sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and even offering paid courses or consulting services. With approximately 409 million people viewing over 20 billion pages each month, there's ample opportunity to reach a broad audience and generate significant income. Whether you choose to blog as a side hustle or a full-time endeavor, a well-executed content strategy and regular posting routine could set you on a path to earning 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

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

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.

Read by 28,999 founders

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

As a business intelligence developer, you could harness your analytical and data-driven skills to become a successful affiliate marketer, potentially supplementing your income and pushing you towards a six-figure salary. By promoting other companies' products or services and earning a commission on sales generated through your referrals, you can create an additional revenue stream without the need to develop or manage your products.

This low-cost business venture could be particularly appealing due to its minimal upfront investment and flexibility, allowing you to leverage your technical expertise in tracking and analyzing performance metrics. By carefully selecting affiliate programs that align with your interests and expertise, you could drive targeted traffic and sales efficiently, maximizing your commission earnings and enhancing your overall financial success.

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 (?)

My Affiliate Marketing Business Earns $500K/Year Profit [No Employees]

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.

Read by 24,727 founders

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.