How to Make 6 Figures As A It Manager? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a it manager? Good for you! Being a it manager 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 it manager - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a strategic way for you to supplement your income and potentially earn six figures as an IT manager. By creating content based on your expertise, you could attract a large, dedicated audience interested in IT management, tips, and industry insights. Utilizing YouTube's monetization system, you could generate revenue through ad placements, sponsored content, and partnerships once you reach the required benchmarks of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in 12 months.
Moreover, the platform’s immense popularity and established monetization avenues present ample opportunities for entrepreneurial-minded individuals. Building a successful channel won't happen overnight, but with consistent, high-quality content, you might join the ranks of YouTube success stories and create an additional revenue stream while enhancing your professional brand. This approach allows you to turn your passion for content creation into a viable business while leveraging your IT management expertise.
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.
2. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could provide a lucrative supplement to your income as an IT manager, potentially helping you reach that six-figure milestone. With the boom in online shopping due to its convenience and efficiency, ecommerce businesses are well-positioned to tap into a growing market. Given the lower overhead costs and wider reach compared to traditional brick-and-mortar shops, you could build a profitable business without the need for significant upfront investment.
As an IT manager, you already possess the technical expertise to set up and manage an eCommerce website, including payment processing and inventory management. By leveraging your skills and staying attuned to market trends, you could successfully create an additional revenue stream that complements your primary income, putting you on the path to financial success.
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.
3. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketer business could be a fantastic way to supplement your income as an IT manager. By promoting other companies' products or services and earning commissions on sales made through your referrals, you tap into a low-cost business model that leverages your existing marketing skills.
With minimal upfront investment, this venture could easily be managed alongside your current job, providing a flexible way to generate additional revenue. As you grow your affiliate marketing efforts, the extra income could potentially help you achieve a six-figure salary, offering new financial opportunities and diversifying your income streams.
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.
4. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could significantly supplement your income as an IT manager, providing a pathway to reach a six-figure salary. This side business allows you to leverage your existing technology skills and use social media marketing tools to automate tasks efficiently. By developing a proficient social media marketing strategy, you could serve multiple clients with minimal time investment.
Additionally, creating a strong agency portfolio will help you attract target customers and establish a steady stream of clients. This venture could help you clear utility bills, finance education, or save for a vacation, all while enhancing your entrepreneurial skills. For those with a keen business acumen, this could even evolve into a full-time business opportunity.
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.
5. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be an excellent way for you, as an IT manager, to supplement your income and work toward making six figures. Freelance writing offers the flexibility to work from home and define your own schedule, allowing you to take on writing projects during off-hours or weekends without disrupting your primary job.
With your strong writing skills and ability to meet deadlines—qualities that are essential in your IT management role—you are well-positioned to succeed in this side business. By staying current with writing tools and trends, and leveraging your expertise in various niches, you could pursue high-paying writing assignments in tech or related fields, turning your entrepreneurial ambitions into a profitable 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.
6. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could help you supplement your income and eventually make six figures as an IT manager by leveraging your expertise to create valuable content. By focusing on a niche within the IT field, such as cybersecurity, AI, or cloud computing, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in your insights and experience.
With consistent promotion through social media and online communities, your podcast could grow in popularity, leading to opportunities for sponsorships and advertisements. Additionally, a successful podcast could position you as an industry thought leader, potentially opening doors to consulting gigs, speaking engagements, or higher-paying job offers.
Ultimately, this entrepreneurial endeavor not only diversifies your income streams but also enhances your professional brand in the competitive IT landscape.
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. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Launching an online course could be an innovative way for you as an IT manager to supplement your income or even scale up to a six-figure earning potential. By identifying educational gaps in your area of expertise, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials to meet the growing demand for specialized IT knowledge.
With options for self-paced or cohort-based learning structures, an online course platform offers flexibility and scalability, making it an attractive side business or even a full-time venture. As an entrepreneurial and knowledge-sharing individual, this effort requires minimal startup costs and could yield substantial passive income by serving lifelong learners looking for convenient ways to upgrade their skills.
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.
8. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could significantly supplement your income as an IT manager by leveraging your expertise to create valuable, informative content that attracts a broad audience. With 77% of internet users reading blogs and blogs being rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information, your insights could draw substantial traffic to your site.
Monetizing this traffic through ads, sponsored posts, or even offering specialized consulting services can turn your blog into a lucrative side business. This location-independent venture allows you the flexibility to work on it during your off-hours, maximizing your earning potential without compromising your primary career.
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.
9. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Becoming a social media influencer could significantly supplement your income as an IT manager, potentially helping you reach a six-figure salary. Leveraging your expertise, you could create content around tech trends, IT solutions, or industry insights, attracting a dedicated audience interested in your professional knowledge.
With platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok booming, brands are eager to partner with credible influencers to reach their target markets. By building a strong online presence and engaging your followers with valuable content, you could secure brand partnerships, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing deals.
Anyone with a strategic approach can become an influencer. Start by identifying a popular niche that aligns with your interests and consistently produce high-quality, relevant content to grow your audience and, consequently, your income.
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.
10. Digital products ($242K/month)
As an IT manager looking to make six figures, venturing into the world of digital products could be a lucrative side business or even a primary income stream. By leveraging your technical expertise, you could develop software, apps, or even offer information-based products like eBooks or online courses. These products are relatively easy to create and distribute, enabling you to capitalize on your knowledge without the overhead of physical inventory.
Digital products are immensely popular because they provide convenience and instant access to consumers. With the ability to sell directly from your website, you would avoid the logistical challenges of traditional sales, making it easier to scale your business. Whether you decide to create a membership site, online community, or another digital offering, the earning potential is substantial given the low cost of production and high market demand.
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.
11. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way to bolster your income as an IT manager, setting you on a path toward making six figures. By leveraging your industry expertise and management skills, you could provide personalized guidance, support, and strategic sessions to help clients navigate professional transitions and achieve their career goals.
This side business allows you to create custom sessions for resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement, offering tailored advice that capitalizes on your extensive knowledge. You could also enjoy the flexibility of in-person or virtual meetings, potentially reaching a broader client base. Launching a coaching service not only helps you monetize your HR and motivational capabilities but also affords you the freedom to set your own schedule.
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.
