How to Make 6 Figures As A Civil Engineer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a civil engineer? Good for you! Being a civil 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 civil engineer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be a promising way for civil engineers to supplement their income or even build a full-fledged business. By sharing your expertise and insights on various civil engineering topics, you could attract a large audience, especially considering that blogs are ranked as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information and 77% of internet users read blogs.
Additionally, with approximately 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion pages each month, there is ample opportunity to monetize your blog through advertising, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing. Over time, with a dedicated content strategy and consistent engagement with your audience, your blog could become a significant source of revenue, potentially helping you reach that six-figure income goal.
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.
2. Digital products ($242K/month)
Starting a business selling digital products could be a lucrative way for you, as a civil engineer, to reach six figures. Digital products, from software apps and educational courses to community memberships, offer limitless possibilities tailored to your expertise. You could create and sell detailed engineering eBooks, job-specific software tools, or even online courses geared towards budding engineers.
One of the significant advantages is how effortless and cost-effective it is to bring your products to market. Without the need for physical inventory or hiring additional help, you could manage the entire process from creation to marketing yourself. Given your existing technical skills and problem-solving abilities, stepping into the digital product space could be a highly profitable side venture or even a new primary business venture in 2024.
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.
3. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and help you make six figures as a civil engineer. With strong writing skills and the ability to meet deadlines, you could write technical articles, create content for industry blogs, or even author instructional guides that leverage your expertise in civil engineering. This diversified skill set not only increases your marketability but also allows you to work flexibly, from home, and on your own schedule.
By staying up-to-date with current writing tools and trends, you could tap into a range of niches and topics, broadening your client base and improving your earning potential. As a self-starter with proper communication skills, the entrepreneurial aspect of freelance writing allows for the expansion into a full-fledged business. This side business could eventually grow enough to provide substantial additional income or even become your main source of revenue.
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.
4. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
One way you could supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a civil engineer is by becoming a social media influencer. Social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok offer the perfect opportunity to share your expertise and build a following. By establishing credibility in your field and consistently delivering quality content, you could attract sponsorships and partnerships from brands looking to connect with your audience.
As a civil engineer, you could create content around project management tips, innovative construction techniques, or infrastructure highlights. By leveraging your professional knowledge and presenting it engagingly, you could become a trusted resource for both aspiring engineers and companies in need of industry insights. This not only provides an additional revenue stream through sponsored posts and advertisements but also positions you as a thought leader in your field.
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 career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could significantly boost your income as a civil engineer, potentially guiding you toward a six-figure salary. By leveraging your industry expertise, you could help other professionals navigate career transitions, excel in interviews, and advance within their companies. Offering personalized guidance and strategy sessions tailored to each client's aspirations, you could build a loyal client base seeking your specialized advice.
With the flexibility to conduct sessions in-person or virtually, you could scale your coaching practice to fit your schedule and lifestyle. Whether you have a talent for public speaking or a background in human resources, this venture allows you to monetize your natural motivational abilities. By empowering others to achieve their career goals, you position yourself as an essential resource while significantly enhancing your own financial stability.
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.
6. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could significantly supplement your income as a civil engineer by allowing you to share your expertise and insights with a broader audience. By choosing a niche that aligns with your engineering passion, you could attract professionals, students, and enthusiasts interested in your field. This dedicated audience could lead to opportunities for sponsorships, advertising revenues, or even consulting gigs.
You would only need basic recording equipment such as a microphone and headphones, and with affordable or free hosting platforms, the initial investment is minimal. Promoting your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth could help you grow your listener base and increase your reach. Over time, this increased visibility could open doors to speaking engagements, online courses, or other entrepreneurial ventures, putting you on a path to reaching that 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.
7. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business could be a great way for civil engineers to supplement their income and potentially make six figures. As an affiliate marketer, you wouldn't need to create or own products; instead, you'd promote other companies' offerings and earn commissions from sales generated through your referrals. This venture requires minimal upfront investment, allowing you to leverage your marketing skills without significant financial risk.
In your spare time, you could focus on promoting products related to your field or other interests, driving traffic to these products through content marketing, social media, or other channels. By signing up for affiliate programs and using unique tracking links, you would earn a commission on each sale, making it a scalable business opportunity. With dedication and effective marketing strategies, affiliate marketing could provide a substantial supplemental income stream that helps you reach six-figure earnings.
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.
8. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a lucrative side venture for a civil engineer looking to make six figures. You could create content that focuses on your expertise—such as tutorials, project walkthroughs, or industry insights—attracting viewers who are eager to learn from a professional. With YouTube's established monetization system, once you reach the threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you could start earning ad revenue.
Additionally, you could leverage your channel to attract sponsorships and partnerships, offering another stream of income. Your specialized knowledge could also provide opportunities to sell consulting services or create and market online courses. Aspiring civil engineers and industry enthusiasts would value your real-world experience, giving you the potential to build a substantial following and significantly enhance your earnings.
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.
9. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
As a civil engineer with specialized knowledge, starting an online course could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and potentially help you reach six figures. By identifying educational gaps in your field and creating engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could share your expertise with a wide audience. This entrepreneurial venture not only allows you to monetize your instructional talents but also provides you with the flexibility to build a passive income stream.
With the option to offer self-paced or cohort-based courses, you could cater to lifelong learners seeking convenient access to emerging subjects related to civil engineering. The small startup costs and potential for a broad student base make this an attractive side business or even a primary business endeavor. By sharing your knowledge online, you could turn your passion for information-sharing into a profitable enterprise.
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.
10. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could provide an excellent way to supplement your income as a civil engineer, helping you reach the six-figure mark. With the flexibility to automate many processes using social media marketing tools, you could manage the agency without detracting significantly from your primary job responsibilities. This side business could allow you to clear utility bills, finance further education, or save for a vacation while leveraging your existing project management skills.
Moreover, by developing a solid social media marketing strategy and creating an appealing agency portfolio, you could attract a broad range of clients. The entrepreneurial-minded civil engineer could use this agency as a low-commitment, high-reward avenue for financial growth. The increasing demand for social media expertise means that key opportunities await those willing to apply their analytical skills in this burgeoning sector.
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 an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
As a civil engineer, starting an ecommerce store could help you reach six figures by leveraging your skills and interests outside your primary job. You could create and sell niche products or services related to civil engineering, such as custom designs, educational materials, or specialized tools. Alternatively, you might choose to focus on a passion project or hobby that has market potential, thereby diversifying your income streams.
An ecommerce business offers lower overhead costs compared to a brick-and-mortar store, increased flexibility, and the ability to reach a global audience. This means you could run your online store alongside your engineering career, gradually scaling it up as your customer base grows. By effectively managing your time and resources, you could generate significant supplementary income, paving the way toward a six-figure salary.
Moreover, the booming ecommerce sector makes it easier than ever to attract and retain customers who value convenience and efficiency. With a well-designed website and robust inventory management, you could convert online visitors into loyal customers, ensuring a steady stream of revenue that complements your primary earnings.
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.
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.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
