How to Make 6 Figures As A Software Developer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a software developer? Good for you! Being a software developer 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 software developer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could significantly boost your income as a software developer, allowing you to leverage your technical expertise in a new and flexible domain. You could write technical articles, coding tutorials, or even eBooks, catering to the continuous demand for quality content in the tech industry. This flexibility allows you to work from home and set your own schedule, making it an excellent side hustle.
With strong writing skills, adherence to deadlines, and staying updated with current trends, you could cater to various niches and client requirements. Entrepreneurial-minded developers who are self-starters with proper communication skills might find freelance writing a rewarding avenue to supplement their income, potentially pushing their earnings into the six-figure range.
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 lucrative way to supplement your income as a software developer and even help you reach six figures. By choosing a niche topic that resonates with both your passion and professional expertise, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in software development trends, best practices, or industry insights. This targeted focus can not only build your reputation but also open up opportunities for sponsorship and advertising revenue.
With minimal initial investment in basic recording equipment and using affordable or free hosting platforms, you could produce high-quality content that draws in listeners. Promoting your podcast via social media and online communities can help you grow your audience quickly. Additionally, as your listener base expands, you could explore monetization strategies like premium content, affiliate marketing, or offering paid courses and consultations.
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 career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a software developer. By leveraging your industry expertise and personal experiences, you could offer personalized guidance, support, and strategy services tailored to help other professionals navigate their career transitions and growth opportunities.
You could design custom sessions for resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement, thereby helping your clients achieve their professional goals. With the added flexibility of offering in-person or virtual meetings, you could build a robust client base, providing specialized advice and accountability.
Additionally, if you possess strong speaking talents and human resources expertise, you could monetize these skills while enjoying the autonomy of setting your own schedule. This entrepreneurial venture not only empowers others but also allows you to diversify your income streams, pushing you closer to that six-figure benchmark.
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 an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could be a lucrative supplementary income source for software developers seeking to make six figures. By leveraging your technical skills to build and maintain a robust online store, you could take advantage of lower overhead costs and increased flexibility compared to traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. The booming eCommerce market offers ample opportunities to reach a wider audience, providing consumers with the convenience of shopping from home.
As a software developer, you have the advantage of setting up and optimizing an eCommerce website, managing inventory, and integrating advanced payment processing systems with greater ease. This technical proficiency could give you an edge in creating a seamless and efficient shopping experience, which ultimately translates to higher sales and recurring revenue. By tapping into this booming industry, you could greatly enhance your overall earning potential and move closer to the six-figure milestone.
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.
5. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
As a software developer, launching an online course could help you make six figures by leveraging your specialized skills and knowledge to fill educational gaps in the market. By creating engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could cater to lifelong learners eager to gain expertise in emerging technologies. The flexibility of offering self-paced or cohort-based structures ensures you can reach a broad audience while cultivating a loyal student base.
This entrepreneurial endeavor comes with the added benefit of small startup costs but large passive income potential. Enjoy the dual rewards of sharing information and monetizing your instructional talents, making it a lucrative side business or even a full-time venture as you build and expand your online platform.
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.
6. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could help you make six figures as a software developer by allowing you to share your expertise through tutorials, coding challenges, and tech reviews. Given YouTube's established monetization system and immense popularity, reaching the required thresholds could open up several revenue streams, such as ad revenue, sponsorships, and even affiliate marketing.
By crafting high-quality, engaging content, you could attract a substantial following, leading to increased viewership and greater monetization opportunities. For entrepreneurial-minded developers, leveraging YouTube offers the potential to not only supplement your income but also to build a brand and establish yourself as a thought leader in the tech community.
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.
7. 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 software developer and inch closer to making six figures. You could leverage your analytical and technical skills to develop robust social media marketing strategies and use automation tools to serve clients efficiently with minimal time commitment. This flexibility means you could still focus on your primary career while running a side business.
You could also build an impressive agency portfolio to attract a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to larger enterprises looking to enhance their online presence. This entrepreneurial venture could bring in a steady stream of additional income, helping you clear utility bills, finance education, or save for that dream vacation.
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. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could open up numerous avenues for supplementing your income as a software developer and eventually help you reach a six-figure salary. By sharing your expertise and insights in the industry, you could attract a strong readership due to the high trustworthiness of blogs and the fact that 77% of internet users regularly read them. This provides a unique opportunity to establish yourself as a thought leader, which could lead to lucrative sponsorship deals, affiliate marketing, or even the creation of premium content that loyal readers are willing to pay for.
Furthermore, with approximately 409 million people viewing over 20 billion pages each month, the potential for monetizing your blog through ads or paid subscriptions is substantial. The flexibility of blogging allows you to reach a broader audience and work from anywhere at any time, fitting well with entrepreneurial spirits who desire both creative freedom and financial rewards. Crafting a solid content strategy and maintaining a consistent publishing routine can help you steadily build an engaged audience, turning your blog into a profitable side hustle or even a full-time 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.
9. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Supplementing your income as a software developer through affiliate marketing could be a highly lucrative venture. By promoting other companies' products or services and earning commissions for each sale made through your referrals, you could potentially generate significant extra income without needing to create or own the products yourself. This business model allows you to leverage your marketing skills to drive traffic and sales, effectively monetizing your existing online presence or technical expertise.
Launching an affiliate marketing business requires minimal upfront investment, making it an attractive option if you want to start a business on a budget. You'd need to sign up for affiliate programs within niches that align with your interests or audience, receive unique tracking links, and focus on driving conversions. If successful, the cumulative commissions from these efforts could help you achieve a six-figure income, offering financial freedom and the flexibility to explore further entrepreneurial ventures.
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.
10. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Supplementing your income as a software developer by becoming a social media influencer holds significant potential. You could leverage platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to share expert coding tutorials, development tips, or reviews of the latest software tools. By establishing credibility in the tech industry, you could amass a substantial audience that values your expertise.
In addition to ad revenue, brands might approach you for partnerships and sponsorship deals, given the surge in businesses seeking to connect with their target audience via social media influencers. By choosing a popular niche based on your interests and consistently creating engaging content, you could not only supplement your income but potentially build a thriving side business or even transition into a full-time influencer role. The right strategy could indeed lead you to make six figures.
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.
11. Digital products ($242K/month)
Creating and selling digital products could significantly boost your income as a software developer, enabling you to reach a six-figure salary. Digital products, ranging from software-based items like apps and games to information-based products such as eBooks and courses, offer endless possibilities for leveraging your existing skills. With the low overhead costs and ease of distribution inherent in digital products, you can focus on high-quality content without needing substantial upfront investment.
By developing digital products, you could capitalize on your technical knowledge to create valuable resources that others are willing to pay for. Additionally, because you can manage and sell digital products directly from your website, you bypass the complications of inventory management. This flexibility and scalability make digital products an excellent avenue for entrepreneurial-minded software developers aiming to bolster 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 (?)
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.
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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.
