How to Make 6 Figures As A Scientist? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a Scientist? Good for you! Being a Scientist 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 Scientist - 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 an excellent way for you to supplement your income as a scientist, potentially helping you to reach six figures. By choosing a niche topic related to your field of expertise that also has a passionate audience, you could share valuable insights and groundbreaking research with listeners worldwide. This can establish you as a thought leader, making it easier to attract sponsors and advertisers who are interested in reaching your specialized audience.
Additionally, creating engaging and informative audio content could open up opportunities for speaking engagements, consulting work, and even selling premium content or merchandise. As your podcast grows in popularity, you could leverage your platform to promote your research, network with other experts, and create additional revenue streams, thereby significantly boosting your overall income. The growth of podcasting as both an entertainment and information-sharing medium positions this venture as a promising side business for entrepreneurial-minded scientists.
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. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business could be a lucrative way for scientists to supplement their income and work towards making six figures. By promoting relevant products and services within the scientific niche, you could leverage your expertise and credibility to drive traffic and sales, earning a commission on each successful referral. This approach allows you to capitalize on your existing knowledge and audience without the need to create or own the products yourself.
With minimal upfront investment, this business model is particularly appealing for those who want to start a side hustle on a budget. You'll need to sign up for affiliate programs related to your area of expertise, obtain unique tracking links, and strategically market these products to your network. By effectively using your marketing skills and scientific credibility, you could see a substantial increase in your 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.
3. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way for a Scientist to make six figures by offering personalized guidance and strategic advice to individuals navigating professional transitions and growth opportunities. As a career coach, you would design custom sessions to assist clients with resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement goals, tailored to each person's unique aspirations.
With the flexibility to hold in-person or virtual meetings, you could easily build a diverse client base while empowering clients to achieve breakthroughs through your specialized advice and accountability. For those with a knack for motivational speaking and human resources expertise, launching a coaching practice could not only monetize your natural talents but also provide you with the freedom to set your own schedule, significantly increasing your income potential.
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.
4. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be a powerful way for you to supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a Scientist. With blogging, you could share your expertise, research, and insights with a broader audience, establishing yourself as a thought leader in your field. Given that 77% of internet users read blogs and they are rated as highly trustworthy sources of information, your blog could quickly become a go-to resource for scientific content, attracting a substantial readership.
Moreover, with approximately 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion blog pages monthly, the potential for monetization is significant. Whether through ad revenue, sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing, a well-run blog could generate a steady stream of income. By choosing a niche you are passionate about and implementing a consistent content strategy, you could turn your blog into a lucrative side business or even a full-time 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.
5. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could significantly boost your income as a Scientist, leveraging your specialized knowledge to cater to high-paying niches such as scientific journals, tech blogs, and educational materials. As a freelance writer, you could enjoy the flexibility to define your work schedule and work from virtually anywhere, allowing you to balance your primary research duties with your writing side hustle seamlessly.
Your strong writing skills, ability to meet deadlines, and deep understanding of cutting-edge scientific trends could make you a sought-after writer in scientific communities and beyond. By staying up-to-date with current writing tools and trends and maintaining excellent communication with clients, you could turn your writing side business into a lucrative venture, pushing your total earnings toward the six-figure mark.
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. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Creating an online course could provide a lucrative avenue for supplementing your income as a Scientist. By identifying educational gaps in your area of expertise, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials aimed at eager lifelong learners. Whether you opt for a self-paced or cohort-based structure, building a student base offers significant passive income potential.
Launching an online course platform comes with small startup costs and allows you to monetize your specialized knowledge. For entrepreneurial-minded scientists, this represents a flexible, scalable way to earn extra money while sharing your passion for your field. This possibility not only supplements your primary income but could eventually grow into a substantial business on its own.
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.
7. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
As a scientist, becoming a social media influencer could significantly supplement your income and potentially help you make six figures. By establishing yourself as a credible expert in your niche, you have the potential to attract a vast audience interested in your insights, experiments, and professional advice. Sharing your knowledge and passion for science on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok could open doors for brand partnerships and sponsorships.
These partnerships can be highly lucrative as companies continuously seek authentic voices to reach their target audience. Furthermore, unique and engaging content could lead to various income streams, including ad revenue, sponsored posts, speaking engagements, and even opportunities to launch your own products or services. By strategically growing your influence, you could transform your social media presence into a significant source of 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.
8. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
As a scientist with a passion for sharing your expertise, starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent way to supplement your income and make extra money. YouTube has an established monetization system, and by reaching a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months, you could join the YouTube Partner Program to start earning from ad revenues.
By creating engaging and informative content related to your field, you could attract a wide audience of both enthusiasts and fellow professionals. This platform allows you to showcase your knowledge and promote your unique insights, potentially leading to sponsorships, collaborations, and even direct product sales if you choose to market your own scientific tools or educational resources.
With dedication and a strategic approach to growing your viewer base, your YouTube channel could turn into a significant source of income. The more value you provide, the greater the potential for your channel to evolve from a side business into a lucrative, full-time venture.
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.
9. Digital products ($242K/month)
Creating digital products could significantly supplement your income as a Scientist, offering a pathway to potentially make six figures. By leveraging your expertise to develop information-based products, such as ebooks, online courses, or even launching a membership site, you could share valuable knowledge with a global audience.
The beauty of digital products lies in their scalability and low overhead costs. Whether it's an app or a detailed research guide, once the initial creation is done, the cost of distribution is minimal, and there’s no need for physical inventory. This allows you to focus on continuous improvement and expansion, turning your scientific knowledge into a thriving side business or even a full-time entrepreneurial venture.
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.
10. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could significantly supplement your income as a Scientist and pave the way to making six figures. With an ecommerce business, you could harness your expertise to create and sell specialized scientific tools, educational resources, or even lab-grown materials that cater to a global audience. The low overhead costs and the flexibility offered by ecommerce could allow you to manage this side venture alongside your scientific career.
Moreover, with consumers gravitating towards the convenience of online shopping, your ecommerce store could have a wider reach and potential customer base than traditional methods. Setting up your store involves creating a website, integrating payment processing, and managing inventory, all of which could be streamlined with available software solutions. By leveraging these digital platforms, you could capitalize on the booming ecommerce market and generate substantial additional 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.
11. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a Scientist, potentially helping you reach six figures. Whether you're aiming to clear your utility bills, finance your college education, or save for a vacation, a social media marketing agency offers flexibility and scalability.
You could leverage social media marketing tools to automate many tasks, reducing the time commitment required. By developing an effective social media marketing strategy and creating an agency portfolio, you could efficiently attract and serve clients, maximizing your additional income potential without sacrificing your primary career responsibilities.
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.
