How to Make 6 Figures As A Site Engineer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: November 29th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a site engineer? Good for you! Being a site 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 site engineer - 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 site engineer. By creating content that delves into the construction industry, project management tips, or emerging technologies, you could attract a dedicated audience of fellow professionals and enthusiasts. This focused niche can make it easier to build a loyal listener base, which is essential for monetization.

With basic recording equipment and a hosting platform, you could keep initial costs low while you establish your podcast. As your audience grows, you might attract sponsors or advertisers interested in reaching your specialized demographic. Additionally, promoting your podcast through social media and online communities could open doors to speaking engagements and consulting opportunities, further boosting your income and helping you reach that six-figure mark.

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

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2. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)

How Becoming a Social Media Influencer Could Boost Your Earnings as a Site Engineer

Supplementing your income as a site engineer through social media influencing is a viable strategy to target six-figure earnings. Social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok have become essential tools for brands seeking to connect with their audience, often through partnership with influencers. By leveraging your expertise and establishing credibility in the engineering or construction niche, you could attract a substantial following.

Creating and sharing relevant content—like project walkthroughs, problem-solving tips, and industry insights—could position you as a thought leader. Brands would likely seek your endorsement, offering paid partnerships, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing opportunities. A well-crafted strategy could transform your social media presence into a lucrative side business, supplementing your salary and potentially leading to a six-figure 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 (?)

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3. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)

One possibility to supplement your income as a site engineer is by starting an eCommerce store. By selling products or services online, you could tap into a significant side income stream with relatively low overhead costs. With the increasing convenience and efficiency that eCommerce platforms offer, your store could reach a wide audience without the limitations of a traditional brick-and-mortar business.

The flexibility of an eCommerce business could fit well with your demanding schedule as a site engineer. You could manage inventory, process payments, and handle customer service tasks during your downtime or even automate many aspects of the business. If successful, the additional income from your online store could help you achieve the goal of making six figures, either through a robust side income or by transitioning to a full-time entrepreneurial venture.

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

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4. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog related to site engineering could be a lucrative way for you to supplement your income and possibly reach six figures. By sharing your expertise, project experiences, and industry insights, you could attract a broad audience of aspiring engineers, students, and professionals seeking reliable information. According to research, 77% of internet users read blogs, and each month approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages, so there's significant potential for generating traffic and engagement.

Monetizing your blog through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and offering premium content like courses or e-books could create additional revenue streams. This location-independent business not only serves as a creative outlet but also allows you to work at your own convenience, reaching a broader audience and establishing yourself as an authority in the field.

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

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5. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could be an excellent way to supplement your income and work toward making six figures as a site engineer. With the ability to automate many tasks using social media marketing tools, you could manage your agency without sacrificing your primary career. Developing a robust social media marketing strategy and creating an impressive agency portfolio could allow you to efficiently serve customers and attract a broader client base.

Furthermore, this entrepreneurial venture could help you clear your utility bills, finance a college education, or save for an exciting vacation. By leveraging your organizational and project management skills as a site engineer, you could create a successful side business that contributes substantially to your income. Additionally, the flexible nature of social media marketing would enable you to work on clients’ campaigns at your own pace, providing a perfect balance between your engineering career and entrepreneurial aspirations.

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

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6. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)

Supplementing Your Income Through Affiliate Marketing

Starting an affiliate marketing business could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income as a site engineer. Affiliate marketing involves promoting other companies' products or services and earning a commission on every sale made through your referral links. This could be a low-cost venture, requiring minimal upfront investment, as you don't need to create or own the products yourself.

Instead, you could leverage your marketing skills to drive traffic and generate sales. By signing up for affiliate programs in niches that align with your interests or expertise, you could receive unique links that track your referrals. This strategy could help you earn a steady stream of commissions, allowing you to work toward a six-figure income without sacrificing your primary career.

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 (?)

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7. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be a powerful way to supplement your income as a site engineer and make six figures. By sharing your expertise through tutorial videos, project walkthroughs, or industry insights, you could attract a substantial audience interested in construction and engineering endeavors.

With YouTube's established monetization system, reaching a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year could enable you to join the YouTube Partner Program and start earning ad revenue. Additionally, collaborating with brands for sponsored content or launching your own product line are viable ways to further boost your income.

By consistently producing valuable content and engaging with your viewers, you could build a loyal subscriber base, turning your channel into a thriving side business. The popularity of YouTube provides an excellent platform to capitalize on your passion for content creation and engineering to achieve significant financial gains.

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

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8. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)

Starting a career coaching business could significantly supplement your income as a site engineer, helping you reach that six-figure mark. By offering personalized guidance and strategy services, you could assist clients in navigating professional transitions, such as starting a new job or moving up in their careers. This endeavor leverages your expertise in resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement—a skill set highly valued across various industries.

With flexible in-person or virtual meetings, you could build a client base while maintaining your engineering career. This side business not only allows you to share your motivational abilities and human resources expertise but also provides the chance to set your schedule and work on your terms. By empowering clients through specialized advice and accountability, you stand to benefit both financially and professionally.

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 (?)

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9. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)

Creating an online course business could significantly boost your income as a site engineer by leveraging your specialized skills and knowledge in construction and engineering. By identifying educational gaps and developing engaging video lessons with supplementary materials, you could cater to a wide audience of aspiring engineers, contractors, and construction managers eager to learn from your expertise.

The flexibility of self-paced or cohort-based structures could attract a diverse student base, providing you with a steady stream of passive income. With the low startup costs, this entrepreneurial endeavor could be a lucrative opportunity to monetize your talents while serving lifelong learners seeking convenient access to professional development in your field.

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 (?)

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10. Digital products ($242K/month)

Starting a digital products side business could significantly supplement your income as a site engineer, helping you reach the six-figure mark. You could create software tools, apps, or informational products like eBooks and courses that cater to the construction and engineering fields, leveraging your expertise and industry knowledge.

Digital products are cost-effective to produce, as you can create them on your own without needing to hire external help. Additionally, they don't require physical inventory, reducing overhead and storage concerns. This ease of creation and distribution makes digital products a highly scalable and profitable avenue, perfect for entrepreneurial-minded site engineers looking to diversify their income streams.

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 (?)

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11. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business could significantly supplement your income and help you achieve six-figure earnings as a site engineer. Given your technical expertise and industry knowledge, you could write specialized content for engineering blogs, whitepapers, or technical manuals, which often command higher pay. By leveraging your professional network and industry credibility, you might also find a steady stream of clients who value your unique insights and experience.

As a freelancer, you would enjoy the flexibility to manage your writing assignments around your site engineering job, offering the potential for continuous income without sacrificing your primary career. Strong writing skills, ability to meet deadlines, and effective communication are essential in freelance writing, and as a site engineer, you likely already possess these qualities. With dedication and strategic marketing, a freelance writing side business could quickly become a lucrative endeavor, contributing substantially to your overall 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 (?)

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.