How to Make 6 Figures As A Penetration Tester? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a penetration tester? Good for you! Being a penetration tester 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 penetration tester - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As a penetration tester, supplementing your income by becoming an affiliate marketer could be an excellent way to work towards making six figures. Given your technical skills and understanding of cybersecurity, you could promote products and services that resonate with your professional audience, such as cybersecurity tools, training programs, or software solutions.
By focusing on a niche that you’re already knowledgeable about, you could create content that drives traffic and sales effectively. Since affiliate marketing requires minimal upfront investment, it is a low-risk venture that allows you to capitalize on your expertise without the need to develop products yourself.
Starting an affiliate marketing business could become a relatively passive income stream, freeing you up to continue focusing on your primary career while still boosting your overall earnings. This approach leverages existing professional knowledge and skills to create additional financial opportunities.
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.
2. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a penetration tester. By sharing your expertise through engaging video content, you could attract a wide audience of viewers interested in cybersecurity and ethical hacking. Once you reach the threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours needed to join the YouTube Partner Program, you could begin earning revenue through ads and sponsorships.
Furthermore, a successful YouTube channel could open up additional income streams such as online courses, paid webinars, or consulting services. By leveraging YouTube's established monetization system and its incredible popularity, you could create a significant supplementary income or even transform your channel into a thriving 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.
3. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Becoming a social media influencer could significantly boost your income as a penetration tester. By leveraging platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, you could establish credibility in the cybersecurity niche and attract brands looking to connect with your audience. This opens up opportunities for sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and even selling your own cybersecurity-related products or services.
With a well-crafted strategy, you could create engaging content around penetration testing, cybersecurity tips, and industry insights that resonate with tech-savvy audiences. As your follower count grows, you could monetize your influence by partnering with cybersecurity brands, offering exclusive tutorials, or reviewing tools and software. This side income, combined with your primary earnings as a penetration tester, could help you reach that six-figure mark.
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.
4. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
If you're a penetration tester looking to make six figures, creating an online course could be a lucrative side business. By leveraging your expertise to fill educational gaps, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials that attract eager lifelong learners. This approach allows you to monetize your instructional talents with minimal startup costs while offering flexibility through self-paced or cohort-based learning structures.
As your student base grows, you could generate significant passive income, supplementing your main job or even replacing it entirely. For those who enjoy information-sharing, launching an online course platform provides a fulfilling and financially rewarding avenue to capitalize on your specialized skills in cybersecurity.
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 social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could significantly supplement your income as a penetration tester. Whether you're aiming to cover utility bills, finance education, or save for vacations, this side business allows you to capitalize on the booming demand for digital marketing with relatively flexible time commitments. By developing efficient social media strategies and utilizing automation tools, you can serve clients effectively without diverting too much attention from your primary career.
Moreover, creating a comprehensive agency portfolio can help you attract and retain clients, thereby generating a consistent revenue stream. This entrepreneurial endeavor could not only offer financial relief but also provide you with the potential to build a thriving business, pushing your overall earnings well into the six-figure range.
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.
6. Digital products ($242K/month)
Creating digital products could significantly boost your income as a penetration tester. You could develop software tools, cybersecurity courses, or informative eBooks tailored to the unique needs and challenges within the cybersecurity community. As these products are easy to create and distribute, you'll have the convenience of managing and scaling your business without worrying about physical inventory or logistics.
By leveraging your expertise in penetration testing, you could potentially attract a global audience willing to pay a premium for top-quality, specialized content. Additionally, digital products like membership sites or online communities could offer recurring revenue streams, helping you reach that six-figure mark more predictably. The possibilities are endless, and with the growing demand for cybersecurity skills, the market is ripe for these entrepreneurial opportunities.
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.
7. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could significantly supplement your income as a penetration tester by leveraging your tech-savvy skills to enter the booming online retail market. With lower overhead costs and increased flexibility compared to traditional brick-and-mortar businesses, an eCommerce operation allows you to sell products or services to a global audience, thereby broadening your revenue streams.
Given your familiarity with cybersecurity, you could offer specialized products like security software, gadgets, or even educational resources aimed at fellow IT professionals. Furthermore, the convenience and efficiency of online shopping make it easier than ever for consumers to purchase your products, especially when they can do so from the comfort of their homes. Setting up a website, managing inventory, and processing payments are all tasks that fit well within your tech skillset, making this entrepreneurial venture a feasible way to achieve 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.
8. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could help you make six figures as a penetration tester by allowing you to share your deep knowledge of cybersecurity while earning extra income. You could write for tech blogs, cybersecurity publications, or create educational content, leveraging your technical expertise to command higher rates and attract a niche audience interested in your specialized skills.
Freelancing also offers flexibility, enabling you to work from home and manage your schedule around your primary job as a penetration tester. With strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and being a self-starter, you could tap into a demand for high-quality, expert content, supplementing your income efficiently and paving the way towards a six-figure annual earning.
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.
9. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could significantly boost your income and help you reach six figures as a penetration tester. By creating and producing audio content focused on cybersecurity, ethical hacking, or penetration testing, you could establish yourself as an expert in the field. This would not only broaden your professional network but also attract potential consulting gigs, speaking engagements, and sponsorship deals from cybersecurity firms looking to tap into your audience.
With minimal initial investment in basic recording equipment, and by leveraging free or affordable hosting platforms, you could launch your podcast without breaking the bank. Promoting your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth could help build a loyal audience. As your listener base grows, you could attract advertisers and sponsors, turning your podcast into a profitable side business that complements your primary career.
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.
10. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could supplement your income or even turn into a full-time business, helping you make six figures as a penetration tester. Given the highly specialized knowledge you possess, sharing your expertise through detailed guides, tutorials, and insights could draw a significant audience, leveraging the trustworthiness of blogs in the online information landscape. With 77% of internet users reading blogs and approximately 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion pages each month, the potential to reach a large audience is significant.
By consistently posting valuable content, you could build a loyal readership, which might lead to monetizing your blog through advertisements, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing. Additionally, offering specialized services or online courses could further boost your income. This entrepreneurial venture not only provides a creative outlet but also allows you to work independently of location and time, aligning well with the dynamic nature of penetration testing.
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.
11. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could significantly elevate your income as a penetration tester by allowing you to monetize your industry knowledge and motivational skills. Offering personalized guidance on resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement tailored specifically for cybersecurity professionals could help you build a dedicated client base.
With the flexibility for in-person or virtual meetings, you could seamlessly integrate coaching into your current schedule. Empowering others to navigate professional transitions and growth opportunities through specialized advice not only enhances your own skill set but also creates a secondary revenue stream that could cumulatively help you reach six-figure earnings.
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.
