How to Make 6 Figures As A Front End Developer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a front-end developer? Good for you! Being a front-end 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 front-end developer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a beneficial way for you to supplement your income and reach that six-figure milestone as a front-end developer. By creating content around web development, coding tips, industry news, and your personal experiences, you could attract a niche audience hungry for this specialized knowledge. This audience growth opens opportunities for sponsorship deals, affiliate marketing, and premium content subscriptions.
Having a podcast not only provides a platform to share your expertise but also helps you build a personal brand and a loyal community. As you gain traction, these connections could lead to consulting gigs, speaking engagements, and other profitable endeavors related to your expertise. Additionally, a podcast could serve as a funnel to promote any side projects or freelance work, further boosting your 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.
2. Digital products ($242K/month)
Creating digital products could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income and even build a thriving side business. As a front-end developer, you could leverage your technical skills to develop software-based products such as apps, games, or premium themes and plugins. These products are in high demand and easy to distribute, providing a scalable way to generate passive income.
You could also create information-based products like eBooks, online courses, or a membership site, sharing your knowledge and expertise with a broader audience. These products require minimal initial investment and can be sold directly from your website without the hassle of managing physical inventory. By tapping into these opportunities, you could potentially reach six figures and beyond, while enjoying the flexibility of working on projects that genuinely interest you.
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 provide you with the supplemental income needed to reach six figures as a front-end developer. By leveraging your expertise in technology and development, you could write for tech blogs, digital publications, or create in-depth tutorials, providing valuable insights while generating an additional revenue stream.
Freelance writing offers flexibility, allowing you to define your work schedule and work from home, making it an ideal side business. With strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and staying up-to-date with current writing tools and trends, you could attract high-paying clients who need content in the tech niche, thus bolstering your overall earnings.
Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset, you could use your communication skills to establish a robust client base, further setting the stage for scaling your freelance writing into a potentially lucrative venture.
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 an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business could be a lucrative way for front-end developers to supplement their income and potentially reach six figures. By leveraging your technical skills and understanding of user experience, you could design engaging websites or blogs that effectively promote other companies' products or services. As an affiliate marketer, you could earn a commission for each sale made through your unique referral links, which allows you to monetize your web traffic efficiently.
Because this type of business requires minimal upfront investment, it's an accessible and low-cost option that fits well with an entrepreneurial mindset. By signing up for affiliate programs in niches that interest you or align with your existing projects, you could seamlessly integrate this income stream into your current workflow. With your expertise in web development, you could optimize your sites for search engines, drive higher traffic, and ultimately increase your potential 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.
5. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a front-end developer or even transition into a full-fledged business. Given your expertise in web development, you could leverage your skills to create a seamless, user-friendly online shopping experience that stands out in the competitive eCommerce landscape. With lower overhead costs and the ability to reach a global audience, eCommerce presents an enticing opportunity to capitalize on the booming trend of online shopping.
By developing a robust eCommerce platform, you could showcase your technical prowess while generating additional revenue streams. Whether it's selling custom-made products, unique digital downloads, or even specialized development services, the possibilities are extensive. With the right combination of creativity, technical skill, and entrepreneurial spirit, you could easily pave your way towards a six-figure income.
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.
6. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and potentially bring you to the six-figure mark as a front-end developer. By sharing your expertise, you could attract a broader audience and establish yourself as a trusted authority in the field, tapping into the 77% of internet users who read blogs. With approximately 409 million people viewing over 20 billion pages each month, the potential reach is substantial.
You could monetize your blog through various revenue streams such as affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and advertising. Brands may seek collaborations with you to leverage your influence, while your own digital products, like eBooks or online courses, could generate consistent income. By crafting high-quality, engaging content and maintaining a regular posting schedule, you could turn your blog into a significant income source, all while working from anywhere and at any time.
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.
7. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Starting a social media influencer journey could significantly bolster your income as a front-end developer. By leveraging platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, you could build a personal brand centered around your expertise in front-end development. Sharing tutorials, industry insights, and showcasing your projects can help you gain a substantial following, which in turn attracts sponsorship deals and partnerships from technology brands looking to connect with a tech-savvy audience.
Engaging with your followers through this specialized content could establish your credibility in the industry, making you a trusted figure whose recommendations can drive action. This credibility opens doors to lucrative opportunities such as sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and even paid collaborations. With a solid strategy and consistent effort, becoming a social media influencer could transform from a side hustle to a main income stream, helping you reach that six-figure salary goal.
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.
8. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be a lucrative side hustle for a front-end developer looking to make six figures. Leveraging your technical skills, you could efficiently automate processes using social media marketing tools, allowing you to manage multiple clients without significantly increasing your time commitment. A well-developed social media strategy and a robust agency portfolio will help you attract and serve customers effectively, tapping into a constant demand for digital marketing services.
This side business could supplement your income to cover utility bills, finance education, or save for vacations, enabling you to diversify your revenue streams. As you grow your client base and refine your strategies, your agency could transform into a full-fledged business, providing a substantial income boost while utilizing your existing skill set.
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.
9. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time business for front-end developers aiming to supplement their income and reach six figures. By sharing your expertise through tutorials, coding tips, and project walkthroughs, you could build a dedicated audience interested in front-end development. Given YouTube's established monetization system, once you reach at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months, you could start earning through ads, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing.
Additionally, producing high-quality, engaging content could position you as an authority in your field, attracting lucrative speaking gigs, consulting opportunities, and even freelance projects. With dedication and strategic promotion, your YouTube channel could become a significant income stream that complements or surpasses your primary job as a front-end developer.
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.
10. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Creating an online course could help you make six figures as a front-end developer by allowing you to monetize your expertise and share your knowledge with a global audience. By identifying educational gaps in front-end development, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials that cater to an eager community of lifelong learners looking to advance their skills.
With the flexibility to offer self-paced or cohort-based structures, you could build a substantial student base and generate passive income. Launching an online course platform also requires relatively small startup costs and provides the potential for high returns, especially if you enjoy teaching and information-sharing. Thus, this entrepreneurial venture could be a lucrative way to leverage your front-end development skills into a thriving side business or even a full-time income stream.
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.
11. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a front-end developer and move toward earning six figures. By leveraging your industry experience, you could provide personalized guidance to help other professionals navigate their career paths through resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement strategies.
This entrepreneurial venture could allow you to set your own schedule and build a client base that benefits from your specialized advice and accountability. Whether through in-person or virtual meetings, your motivational skills and human resources expertise could empower clients to achieve significant career breakthroughs, turning your coaching practice into a rewarding and profitable business.
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.
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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.
