How to Make 6 Figures As A Server? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a server? Good for you! Being a server 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 server - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
While working as a server, you could use your free time to build a freelance writing business, offering the flexibility to work from home and on your own schedule. This allows you to earn extra income by writing about various topics for different clients, which can significantly boost your earnings.
By leveraging your strong writing skills and ability to meet deadlines, you could tap into lucrative niches and stay on the cutting edge of current writing trends. With proper communication skills and dedication, your freelance writing business could eventually grow to supplement and potentially exceed your income as a server, putting you on the path to making six figures.
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.
2. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a great way for you to supplement your income and make six figures as a server. By choosing a niche or topic that you're passionate about and that attracts an audience, you could create engaging content that resonates with listeners.
With basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and by using a free or affordable hosting platform, you could produce episodes without significant upfront costs. Promoting your podcast through social media, online communities, and word of mouth could help build an audience and attract sponsors or advertisers, leading to additional revenue streams. This entrepreneurial venture not only leverages your unique interests but also opens up multiple income opportunities beyond your serving job.
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. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be an excellent way for you to make six figures as a server by leveraging your experiences and insights in the hospitality industry. With over 77% of internet users reading blogs, you could capture a broad audience interested in tips, stories, or insider knowledge about serving.
You could begin by focusing on a niche you are passionate about, such as restaurant reviews, customer service tips, or even sharing your journey as a server. By consistently providing high-quality content and engaging with your readers, your blog could generate traffic, leading to opportunities for ad revenue, sponsored posts, or even selling your own products or services.
With the ability to work from anywhere at any time, blogging not only provides a creative outlet but also offers the potential for significant supplemental income. By developing a strategic content plan and a solid posting routine, you could attract a dedicated readership and turn your side hustle into a lucrative venture.
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.
4. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a server and even help you reach six figures. By leveraging your interpersonal skills and experience in providing excellent service, you could offer personalized guidance and strategy services to clients navigating professional growth. Custom sessions for resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement could be particularly attractive services.
With the flexibility to conduct in-person or virtual meetings, you have the freedom to build a client base around your serving schedule. This business also allows you to monetize your motivational abilities and HR expertise, setting your own hours and rates. Launching a coaching practice could empower you to help others achieve their career goals while significantly increasing your own earning 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.
5. 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 server and potentially help you achieve a six-figure salary. Whether you're looking to cover utility bills, finance your college education, or save for a vacation, this side business allows you to work flexibly and efficiently by utilizing social media marketing tools. With a well-developed marketing strategy and a compelling agency portfolio, you could attract clients and generate significant revenue without the need to fully commit large chunks of your time.
By automating tasks and efficiently managing your workload, you can serve customers effectively while still maintaining your job as a server. The entrepreneurial aspect of running a social media marketing agency also offers endless opportunities for growth, making it a viable path to achieve your financial goals. So, if you're entrepreneurial-minded and ready to explore new revenue streams, starting a social media marketing agency could be the perfect side business for you.
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. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Supplementing your income as a server by starting an affiliate marketing business could be a game-changer on your path to making six figures. In this venture, you promote various companies' products or services and earn a commission for every sale made through your referral, capitalizing on your marketing skills without the need to create or own products yourself.
To get started, you would need to sign up for affiliate programs offered by companies in your chosen niche. After approval, you receive unique tracking links to share, enabling companies to track sales generated through your efforts, which in turn earns you a commission for each successful referral. This business model is low-cost and requires minimal upfront investment, making it an accessible and practical side hustle for servers.
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.
7. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an exciting way for you to supplement your income as a server, potentially pushing you toward that six-figure mark. Many servers have built successful YouTube channels by sharing their industry knowledge, customer service tips, and even day-in-the-life vlogs, attracting a wide audience interested in the behind-the-scenes of restaurant life.
With YouTube's established monetization system, you could earn money not just from ads but also from sponsorships, affiliate links, and merchandise sales once you reach the required 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year. Leveraging your unique experiences and building a loyal viewer base could open doors to a substantial side income, and who knows, it might even grow into 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.
8. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Starting an online course could help you make six figures as a server by turning your unique experiences and skills into a profitable educational product. For instance, you could teach specialized knowledge like advanced server techniques, exceptional customer service, or even your journey to high earning potential in the restaurant industry.
Creating and selling digital classes allows you to earn passive income, as students subscribe to your course for self-paced learning or through a structured cohort. This flexibility means your initial investment could be minimal, making it an accessible entrepreneurial venture. If you enjoy sharing information and helping others succeed, building an engaged student base could transform your instructional talents into a significant and steady revenue stream.
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.
9. Digital products ($242K/month)
Starting a side business with digital products could significantly boost your income as a server, helping you reach that six-figure goal. Whether you choose to create an ebook, an online course, or even a members-only community, the options are endless and offer substantial earning potential.
The beauty of digital products lies in their simplicity; you could create them on your own without needing to hire outside help. Additionally, you won't have to worry about physical inventory, allowing you to sell your products directly from a website with ease. By leveraging your existing knowledge or passions, you could turn a digital product venture into a profitable side hustle, complementing your income from serving.
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 be an excellent way for you to supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a server. With the flexibility of managing an online store alongside your shifts, you could take advantage of the booming ecommerce market, which offers lower overhead costs and the ability to reach a wide audience without the constraints of a physical store.
You could sell anything from specialty food items, handmade crafts, to trendy fashion accessories, aligning your online business with your interests and market demand. Setting up a website where customers can browse and purchase your inventory, combined with efficient payment processing and inventory management software, could streamline operations and maximize profitability.
By leveraging the convenience and efficiency that ecommerce offers, you could tap into a growing consumer base that prefers shopping from the comfort of their homes. This side business has the potential to grow significantly, allowing you to generate a substantial additional revenue stream.
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. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Leveraging social media to become an influencer could significantly supplement your income as a server and help you reach six figures. Brands are eager to collaborate with influencers on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok to reach their target audiences. By establishing yourself as an influencer in a niche that interests you, you could attract these brands and earn income through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and more.
Moreover, your unique perspective as a server can provide engaging content that others find relatable and entertaining, further growing your following. With the right strategy, you could turn your social media presence into a lucrative side business, complementing your earnings from serving and paving the way for financial success.
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.
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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.
