How to Make 6 Figures As A Security Engineer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a security engineer? Good for you! Being a security 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 security engineer - 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 an excellent way to supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a security engineer. By creating engaging and informative content around cybersecurity best practices, tools, and emerging threats, you could attract a sizable audience of professionals and enthusiasts. As your following grows, you could monetize your channel through YouTube's Partner Program, which requires a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months, enabling you to earn revenue from ads.
In addition to ad revenue, you could explore other monetization opportunities such as sponsored videos, affiliate marketing, and offering consulting services. Sharing your expertise and real-world experience could position you as an authoritative figure in the cybersecurity space, opening doors to additional income streams. With consistent effort and high-quality content, your YouTube channel could become a thriving side business or even a 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.
2. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Supplementing your income as a security engineer through affiliate marketing could be a strategic move towards reaching a six-figure salary. By promoting other companies' products or services, you could earn commissions on sales generated from your referrals without the need to create or own the products yourself. This low-cost business requires minimal investment, allowing you to leverage your existing marketing skills to drive traffic and sales.
Start by signing up for affiliate programs in niches you are passionate about, perhaps even security-related products or services that align with your expertise. Once approved, you'll get unique tracking links that help companies track sales generated through your efforts, earning you a commission for each successful referral. Combining your technical knowledge with entrepreneurial drive, affiliate marketing could be a practical and lucrative side business, contributing significantly to your financial goals.
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 an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could significantly augment your income as a security engineer by tapping into the booming online retail market. The convenience and efficiency that ecommerce offers make it an attractive option for consumers, allowing you to reach a wider audience without the constraints of a physical storefront. By taking advantage of lower overhead costs and increased flexibility, you could generate substantial revenue, potentially adding a six-figure side income to your engineering salary.
Setting up an ecommerce store involves creating a user-friendly website where customers can easily browse and purchase products. With the right payment processing, shopping cart, and inventory tracking software, managing your online venture becomes more efficient and less time-consuming, enabling you to focus on marketing and scaling your business. Given the technical skills you already possess as a security engineer, you could easily manage the cybersecurity of your ecommerce platform, providing an additional layer of trust and security for your customers.
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.
4. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
One lucrative way to supplement your income as a security engineer is by becoming a social media influencer. Brands are increasingly partnering with influencers on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok to connect with their target audience. By establishing yourself as an expert in cybersecurity and sharing valuable content, you could build a large following and attract sponsorships, affiliate marketing opportunities, and even paid partnerships.
As a security engineer, you possess specialized knowledge that is highly sought after in the tech community. By creating content that provides insights, tips, and advice on cybersecurity, you could establish credibility and influence within your niche. This entrepreneurial venture not only allows you to monetize your expertise but also diversify your income streams, making it possible to reach six figures.
Overall, leveraging social media to become an influencer offers a potent mix of personal branding and income generation. With the right strategy and consistent effort, you could turn your knowledge and passion for cybersecurity into a thriving side business or even a full-time career.
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.
5. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could significantly supplement your income as a security engineer by leveraging your expertise to educate a broader audience. As a highly sought-after and lucrative business, blogging allows you to share valuable insights, tutorials, and updates about the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity. Given that 77% of internet users read blogs and that blogs are rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information, you have the potential to establish yourself as a credible authority in your niche.
With a strategic content plan and consistent posting routine, you could attract a substantial readership, including tech enthusiasts and industry professionals. Over time, your blog could generate multiple revenue streams, such as affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and online courses, enabling you to reach that six-figure income target. Moreover, this location-independent pursuit provides the flexibility to work from anywhere, adding a layer of convenience to your entrepreneurial aspirations.
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.
6. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could significantly boost your income as a security engineer by leveraging your expertise to guide others in their professional growth. By offering personalized sessions focused on resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement, you could help your clients achieve their career aspirations while supplementing your full-time salary. This adds additional revenue streams, helping you work towards that six-figure income.
With the flexibility to conduct meetings virtually or in person, you could easily integrate coaching into your existing work schedule. This opportunity is particularly advantageous if you have a talent for speaking and motivational skills. By building a robust client base, you not only help others succeed but also capitalize on demand for specialized career advice, turning your coaching practice into a sustainable side business or even a primary venture.
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.
7. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could significantly boost your income as a security engineer, enabling you to clear utility bills or even save for a vacation. The time commitment is manageable because many social media marketing tools can be automated, allowing you to efficiently balance this side venture with your main career.
By developing a strong social media marketing strategy and building a solid agency portfolio, you could attract customers who need help growing their online presence. This entrepreneurial venture not only supplements your income but also diversifies your skill set, potentially opening more doors in the tech and business landscapes.
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.
8. Digital products ($242K/month)
Starting a digital products business as a security engineer could significantly supplement your income and help you reach six figures. Digital products are incredibly versatile, ranging from software-based solutions like security apps or tools to information-based products like online courses and ebooks. You could leverage your expertise to develop products that address common security challenges, providing valuable solutions to businesses and individuals alike.
Because digital products require minimal initial investment and no physical inventory, they can be created and sold with ease from your own website. This business model allows you to scale your offerings quickly and reach a global audience, maximizing your earnings potential. By tapping into the high demand for security-related digital products, you could build a successful side business or even transition into 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.
9. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could offer a lucrative side business opportunity for a security engineer aiming to make six figures. By creating and producing engaging audio content on cybersecurity topics, you could leverage your expertise to attract a dedicated audience. Focusing on niche areas such as emerging security threats, protection strategies, or interviews with industry experts could establish your podcast as a valued resource in the cybersecurity community.
With basic recording equipment and a hosting platform, you could launch your podcast on a budget and promote it through social media or online communities. As your audience grows, opportunities for sponsorships or advertising could provide a significant source of supplementary income. Additionally, the podcast could enhance your personal brand and open doors to consulting gigs, speaking engagements, or other business ventures.
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 freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could significantly supplement your income as a security engineer, helping you reach six figures. By leveraging your technical expertise and industry knowledge, you could write in-demand articles, white papers, and how-to guides on cybersecurity topics, attracting clients willing to pay a premium for well-informed and high-quality content.
Freelance writing offers the flexibility to work from home and manage your schedule, allowing you to balance it with your primary job. Strong writing skills, punctuality in meeting deadlines, and staying updated with current writing tools will enhance your productivity and ensure you deliver top-notch work, which could lead to repeat business and higher earnings.
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.
11. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Starting an online course could significantly boost your income as a security engineer by leveraging your specialized knowledge to teach others. By identifying educational gaps in the field of cybersecurity, you have the opportunity to create engaging video lessons and supplementary materials that cater to these needs.
With options for self-paced or cohort-based structures, an online course offers flexibility while providing passive income opportunities. For those passionate about information-sharing, launching an online course platform is a lucrative way to monetize your expertise, often with minimal startup costs, while serving a community of eager lifelong learners.
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.
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.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
