How to Make 6 Figures As A Mechanical Engineer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a mechanical engineer? Good for you! Being a mechanical 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 mechanical engineer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could present an excellent opportunity for you to supplement your income as a mechanical engineer and even reach six figures. Given your technical background, you might excel at sourcing or creating products that resonate with a niche market or leveraging your expertise to build a store around specialized engineering tools, equipment, or educational materials.
An eCommerce business has the potential to reach a global audience, offering much greater flexibility and minimal overhead costs compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores. With the convenience and efficiency that eCommerce offers consumers, coupled with your industry knowledge, you could create a profitable online business that complements your engineering career.
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.
2. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a lucrative side business that supplements your income as a mechanical engineer. By focusing on a niche topic within engineering, such as innovative mechanical design strategies or industry trends, you could attract a targeted audience interested in your insights and expertise.
With basic recording equipment and a free or affordable hosting platform, you could create and publish your own podcast episodes on a budget. Promoting your podcast through social media, online communities, and word-of-mouth could help you build a dedicated following, leading to sponsorship opportunities or ad revenue. This additional income stream could move you closer to achieving a six-figure salary.
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.
3. Digital products ($242K/month)
As a mechanical engineer, you could significantly boost your income and possibly reach six figures by diving into the world of digital products. These products can range from creating engineering-focused software or apps, to developing comprehensive online courses or ebooks that share your specialized knowledge and skills with a wider audience. The flexibility and lack of overhead mean you could create, market, and sell these products directly through your website, cutting out middlemen and maximizing your profit margins.
Moreover, digital products are incredibly scalable. Once the initial product is created, it could be sold infinitely without the ongoing costs associated with physical goods. This allows you to continue focusing on your primary job while generating passive income on the side. By leveraging your expertise and creating valuable digital offerings, you pave the way for a potentially lucrative additional revenue stream.
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.
4. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Creating an online course could significantly augment your income as a mechanical engineer by transforming your specialized knowledge into a product that generates recurring revenue. You could identify educational gaps in areas like computer-aided design (CAD), finite element analysis (FEA), or advanced materials, and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials to address these needs.
With options for self-paced or cohort-based structures, you could build a student base that provides passive income potential, allowing you to earn money even while focusing on your primary job. Moreover, the low startup costs and flexibility of an online course platform make it an appealing side business, particularly for those who enjoy sharing information and helping others succeed.
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.
5. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could help you make six figures as a mechanical engineer by leveraging your in-depth technical knowledge to create high-value content for niche markets. With strong writing skills and proper communication abilities, you could offer specialized services such as writing technical manuals, creating detailed industry-specific articles, or contributing to engineering journals, all of which command premium rates.
As a freelancer, you have the flexibility to set your own schedule and work from home, allowing you to supplement your primary career with additional income. By staying current with writing tools and trends, meeting deadlines, and being a self-starter, you could successfully attract high-paying clients and projects, ultimately helping you reach that six-figure income target.
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. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Become a Social Media Influencer
As a mechanical engineer, leveraging social media could open up additional revenue streams and help you achieve a six-figure income. By sharing your expertise and insights on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, you could attract a substantial following. Once you have an engaged audience, you could monetize your content through sponsorships, ads, and affiliate marketing.
Choosing a niche that aligns with your interests and strengths, such as engineering tips, product reviews, or DIY projects, could amplify your reach and credibility. Over time, brand partnerships and collaborations could significantly boost your income potential. This entrepreneurial venture would not only supplement your primary earnings but also establish your authority and influence in the engineering community.
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.
7. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and reach six figures as a mechanical engineer. Leveraging your industry expertise, you could offer personalized guidance, resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement strategies tailored to aspiring engineers and professionals navigating their career paths.
By designing custom sessions and providing specialized advice, you could create significant value for your clients, helping them achieve their professional goals. Whether through in-person or virtual meetings, a career coaching practice offers flexibility and the ability to set your own schedule, making it a perfect entrepreneurial pursuit for those with a knack for motivational speaking and human resources expertise. This venture not only monetizes your experience and skills but also enables you to make a meaningful impact on others' careers.
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.
8. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be a highly effective way to supplement your income as a mechanical engineer and might even pave the way to making six figures. By sharing your expertise and industry insights, you could attract a broad audience, given that 77% of internet users read blogs and blogs are rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information. This can lead to opportunities for monetizing through ads, sponsored content, or even selling engineering-related e-books and courses.
Given that approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages each month, creating a niche blog that resonates with fellow engineers or STEM enthusiasts could be a lucrative endeavor. Whether you choose to blog about innovative engineering solutions, career advice, or the latest industry trends, the key is to maintain a regular posting schedule and use a strong content strategy to engage your audience.
A successful blog could also open doors to speaking engagements, consultancy offers, and other professional opportunities that contribute to a higher income. Whether as a side hustle or a full-time venture, blogging offers a creative, flexible way to boost your earning potential significantly.
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. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a lucrative way for entrepreneurial-minded mechanical engineers to supplement their income and potentially make six figures. By sharing your expertise on topics like CAD design, engineering principles, or machinery maintenance, you could build a dedicated audience interested in your content. Utilizing YouTube's established monetization system, once you reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within the past year, you could start earning ad revenue, sponsorships, and even income from affiliate marketing.
Furthermore, showcasing your engineering projects and providing educational content could open up additional revenue streams such as online courses, consulting gigs, or speaking engagements. The popularity of YouTube offers ample opportunities for growth and exposure, paving the way for a potentially successful 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
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. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketer business could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income as a mechanical engineer. By promoting products or services related to your industry, you could leverage your expertise and professional network to drive traffic and sales, earning commissions without the need for significant upfront investment.
You could sign up for affiliate programs offered by companies within your niche and use your unique tracking links to promote their products. This approach allows you to capitalize on your technical knowledge and marketing skills, potentially opening a substantial additional revenue stream that could contribute to reaching a six-figure income.
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.
11. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a mechanical engineer. By leveraging social media marketing tools that automate much of the work, you could manage this side business effectively without devoting extensive time. This flexibility allows you to balance your engineering career while generating additional revenue, which could help pay utility bills, finance education, or save for vacations.
Developing a solid social media marketing strategy and creating a professional portfolio will be key to attracting and serving clients efficiently. As a result, you could diversify your income streams and potentially reach six figures by capitalizing on your entrepreneurial spirit.
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.
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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.
