How to Make 6 Figures As A Cloud Systems Administrator? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: September 6th, 2024

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

1. Digital products ($261K/month)

One effective way to supplement your income as a cloud systems administrator and potentially make six figures is by selling digital products. Given your technical expertise, you could create software-based products such as cloud management tools, automation scripts, or even custom plugins that address specific pain points in cloud administration.

Additionally, you might consider developing information-based products like online courses or eBooks that teach others about cloud systems management. Since digital products are easy to create and share with minimal overhead costs, you can sell them directly from your website, allowing you to efficiently scale your side business or even transition it into a full-time venture. The possibilities are endless, and leveraging your existing skills could lead to substantial financial rewards.

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 11,024 founders

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

Starting a podcast could help you make six figures as a cloud systems administrator by leveraging your expertise to build a personal brand and attract a dedicated audience. By focusing on niche topics related to cloud systems administration, you could position yourself as a thought leader in the industry, which might open up opportunities for sponsorships, advertisements, and exclusive partnerships.

You could also use your podcast to network with other professionals, expand your influence, and potentially secure consulting gigs or speaking engagements. Additionally, a well-promoted podcast can generate income through listener donations or premium content subscriptions. By consistently producing valuable content, you might diversify your income streams and significantly supplement your earnings.

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 19,158 founders

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

Starting an ecommerce store could provide you with a lucrative side business that complements your role as a cloud systems administrator, potentially helping you reach six figures. By leveraging your technical skills, you could set up and manage an efficient, scalable online store, taking advantage of the booming ecommerce industry to reach a wide audience with lower overhead costs compared to traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.

Given the convenience and efficiency that ecommerce offers to consumers, you could sell products or services online, allowing you to generate additional income streams. Setting up a website, integrating payment processing, and managing inventory tracking could be well within your skill set, enabling you to run the business smoothly while maintaining your primary job. This added business venture offers the flexibility to grow at your own pace, ultimately contributing to your overall financial goals.

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 72,201 founders

4. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)

Creating an online course related to cloud systems administration could help you supplement your income and potentially achieve six figures by leveraging your specialized knowledge and experience. You identify educational gaps in your field and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials to fill those voids. By offering these courses on a self-paced or cohort-based structure, you provide convenience and flexibility to lifelong learners seeking to enhance their skills.

This venture presents a lucrative opportunity with small startup costs, allowing you to monetize your instructional talents effectively. With an entrepreneurial mindset, you could gradually build a student base, generating passive income while sharing valuable insights and techniques. The demand for expertise in cloud systems administration continues to grow, making this an opportune time to launch your online course platform.

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 (?)

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 28,729 founders

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

Starting a YouTube channel could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a cloud systems administrator. By creating engaging and informative content about cloud systems management, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in this niche field. This, in turn, could lead to monetization opportunities through ad revenue, sponsored content, and even offering exclusive perks to channel members.

YouTube’s established monetization system and its massive user base make it a fertile ground for entrepreneurial-minded individuals. If you join the YouTube Partner Program, you could start earning money once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. By sharing insights, tutorials, and troubleshooting hacks, you could not only increase your visibility in the field but also create significant supplemental income or even grow it into a full-fledged side business.

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 14,431 founders

6. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a cloud systems administrator, helping you achieve the goal of making six figures. Leveraging your specialized knowledge in cloud systems, you could write technical articles, tutorials, and guides that help other professionals understand cloud technologies, from AWS to Azure. This niche expertise could make you a sought-after writer and allow you to charge premium rates.

Freelancing offers the flexibility to work on your own schedule, meaning you could easily balance writing projects alongside your main job. With strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and a self-starter mentality, you could build a profitable side business that not only boosts your income but also enhances your professional profile in the tech industry.

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 24,772 founders

7. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could be a lucrative side business that helps you reach six figures as a cloud systems administrator. You could leverage automated marketing tools to reduce time commitment while effectively managing clients' social media presence. Developing a robust social media marketing strategy will enable you to serve clients efficiently and attract more business, allowing you to supplement your primary income significantly.

Additionally, creating a comprehensive agency portfolio to showcase your services and success stories will help you target and acquire new clients. This side business could provide a flexible and scalable income stream, offering you the financial freedom to clear utility bills, finance your college education, or save for a dream vacation. Ultimately, diversifying your income through a social media marketing agency adds tremendous value to your career as a cloud systems administrator.

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 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 24,772 founders

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

Becoming a social media influencer could serve as a lucrative side venture for a cloud systems administrator looking to make six figures. Given the integral role social media plays in daily lives, cloud administrators could share their expertise through platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and TikTok. By creating content covering industry insights, tech tips, and cloud computing trends, you could build a robust following and establish credibility within the tech community.

Brands are increasingly collaborating with influencers who have a genuine connection with their audience. Once you build a substantial follower base, you could engage in partnerships, sponsored posts, and even offer exclusive webinars or online courses. This not only diversifies your income streams but also positions you as an authority in the cloud systems domain, opening the door to additional revenue opportunities.

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 7,450 founders

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

Starting an affiliate marketer business could be an excellent way for a cloud systems administrator to supplement their income and work towards making six figures. This venture involves promoting other companies' products or services and earning a commission for every sale made through your referrals. Given that it requires minimal upfront investment and relies heavily on marketing skills, it's particularly feasible for those looking to start a business on a budget.

Being a cloud systems administrator provides you with the technical knowledge and credibility to effectively promote related products and services in the tech industry. You could sign up for affiliate programs offered by companies whose products align with your expertise, such as cloud service providers, software tools, or IT training programs. By leveraging your professional network and online presence, you can drive traffic to these products and earn supplementary income through commissions, gradually building a substantial revenue stream.

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 24,539 founders

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

Starting a blog as a Cloud Systems Administrator could be a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time profession that propels you toward the six-figure mark. By sharing your in-depth knowledge and unique experiences in the cloud industry, you could attract a broad audience, given that 77% of internet users read blogs and blogs are rated as one of the most trustworthy sources of online information. This level of reach and credibility could translate into a substantial income through monetization strategies such as affiliate links, sponsored posts, and advertising.

Furthermore, by establishing yourself as an authoritative figure in the cloud space, you could open doors to additional revenue streams, including consulting gigs, paid webinars, and online courses. The flexibility of blogging also allows you to work from anywhere and at any time, making it an excellent choice for those looking to supplement their primary income or fully transition into an entrepreneurial lifestyle in the tech sector.

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 28,729 founders

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

Starting a career coaching business could be an excellent way for you to make six figures as a cloud systems administrator. By leveraging your technical expertise and industry experience, you could provide personalized guidance to professionals looking to advance in tech roles or transition into cloud computing. Custom sessions on resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement tailored to each client's aspirations could make you an invaluable resource in their career journeys.

Additionally, the flexibility of offering virtual meetings means you could easily balance this side business with your full-time job. Your speaking talents and human resources expertise could help you build a robust client base, empowering others to achieve breakthroughs while also generating a significant supplementary income. In this way, you could monetize your motivational abilities and set your own schedule, paving the way for financial growth and professional fulfillment.

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 22,374 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.