How to Make 6 Figures As A Software Engineer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a software engineer? Good for you! Being a software 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 software engineer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could be a lucrative way for you as a software engineer to supplement your income or even build an entirely new business. With your technical skills, setting up and managing the various aspects of an online store—such as a website, payment processing, and inventory management—will be more manageable, giving you an edge in this booming market.
eCommerce offers several advantages over traditional retail, including lower overhead costs, increased flexibility, and the ability to reach a global audience. Given the convenience and efficiency of online shopping, consumers are increasingly turning to eCommerce platforms to meet their needs, making this a promising opportunity for technologically savvy entrepreneurs.
By launching an eCommerce business, you could tap into a thriving market, potentially reaching six-figure earnings as you scale your operations. Leveraging your software engineering skills can make the process more efficient and effective, allowing you to offer a seamless shopping experience that keeps customers coming back.
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.
2. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a lucrative side hustle for software engineers aiming to make six figures. With your technical expertise, you could create a podcast focused on software development trends, coding tutorials, or industry news—topics that will attract a dedicated audience of fellow tech enthusiasts.
Initial costs are low; all you need is a decent microphone, headphones, and affordable or free hosting. By building an audience through social media and online communities, you could attract sponsors and advertisers, leading to a steady stream of supplementary income.
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. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Supplementing your income as a software engineer by becoming a social media influencer could boost your earnings significantly, potentially helping you reach the six-figure mark. Social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok offer ample opportunities to connect with brands eager to engage influencers who have established credibility. As a software engineer, you could share industry insights, coding tutorials, and tech reviews, attracting a targeted audience interested in technology.
By cultivating a large following and creating high-quality, relevant content, you could attract sponsorship deals, brand collaborations, and advertising revenue. This entrepreneurial approach not only supplements your primary income but also diversifies your revenue streams, offering financial stability and growth potential in today's digital age.
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.
4. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be an excellent way to supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a software engineer. By sharing your expertise and insights in software development, you could attract a broad audience who trust your content. With 77% of internet users reading blogs, the potential to reach a large audience is immense.
Consider focusing on a specific niche within software engineering, as this will help you stand out and attract a loyal readership. Collaborations, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing are avenues through which you could monetize your blog. The fact that approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages each month indicates a vast market ready to consume your content. Consistently posting valuable content and building a mailing list could transform 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 social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could enable you to significantly supplement your income as a software engineer. By leveraging social media marketing tools, you could automate many tasks, allowing you to manage this venture alongside your primary job without consuming too much of your time.
A well-crafted strategy and a strong agency portfolio could attract a diverse customer base, from small businesses to individual professionals, seeking to enhance their online presence. This additional income could help clear utility bills, finance higher education, or save for a vacation, pushing you closer to the six-figure mark. For entrepreneurial-minded software engineers, this could be a promising avenue to diversify income streams and tap into the lucrative world of digital marketing.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 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. Digital products ($261K/month)
As a software engineer, creating and selling digital products could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and potentially help you reach six figures. Given your technical skills, you could develop software-based products like apps or games, or leverage your expertise to create information-based products such as eBooks or online courses. The beauty of digital products is their ease of creation and distribution; you can do it all yourself and sell directly online without the hassle of maintaining physical inventory.
Moreover, the possibilities for digital products are virtually endless—you could even create a membership site or a community where users pay for access to your specialized knowledge or exclusive software tools. The continual demand for high-quality digital products means you have the potential to build a scalable business alongside your regular job. By tapping into your entrepreneurial spirit and harnessing your engineering skills, you could open up new revenue streams that significantly boost your overall earnings.
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.
7. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be an excellent way for you, as a software engineer, to supplement your income and work towards making six figures. Freelance writing offers the flexibility to define your work schedule, allowing you to take on writing projects during your free time without conflicting with your primary job. This is an ideal option for those looking for a flexible online job that can be tailored around their existing responsibilities.
With your technical background, you could leverage your expertise to write high-quality content in niches related to technology, software development, or engineering, increasing your earning potential. To succeed, you'll need strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and proficiency with current writing tools and trends. Being a self-starter with excellent communication skills will also be crucial for managing client relationships and delivering compelling content on time.
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.
8. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business could be an excellent way for software engineers to supplement their income and potentially make six figures. As an affiliate marketer, you promote other companies' products or services and earn a commission on sales made through your referrals. This venture requires minimal upfront investment, making it an accessible and low-risk option.
Leveraging your technical skills, you could design and optimize your own website, improve SEO, and utilize data analytics to drive more traffic to your affiliate links. With strong marketing skills and diligent effort, you could build a profitable side business that complements your primary career, leading to significant financial gains.
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.
9. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)
Starting an online course could be a prime opportunity to supplement your income and edge closer to making six figures as a software engineer. By leveraging your expertise to fill educational gaps, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials that provide value to students. This approach helps you to create a passive income stream while sharing your knowledge with eager lifelong learners.
With the flexibility to choose between self-paced or cohort-based structures, you could build a student base and earn revenue with minimal startup costs. For those who enjoy sharing information, launching an online course platform could be a lucrative way to monetize your skills by offering convenient access to specialized software engineering subjects. This entrepreneurial venture enables you to diversify your income while helping others advance in their careers.
How much you can make: $350 — $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.
10. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could significantly supplement your income, helping you reach six figures as a software engineer. By leveraging your industry expertise, you could provide personalized guidance, support, and strategy services to clients navigating professional transitions and growth opportunities. This could involve custom sessions for resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement goals tailored to each client’s aspirations.
Additionally, the flexibility to conduct in-person or virtual meetings allows you to build a diverse client base while working around your existing job commitments. As a career coach, your natural motivational abilities and human resources expertise could become highly marketable skills, allowing you to set your own schedule and monetize your knack for empowering others. This entrepreneurial venture not only increases your earning potential but also provides immense personal satisfaction from helping others achieve their career goals.
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.
11. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an effective way for a software engineer to supplement their income and potentially reach six figures. With YouTube's established monetization system and enormous popularity, you could leverage your expertise to create valuable content that addresses common software engineering challenges, tutorials, and industry insights. This not only helps in building a loyal audience but also opens up multiple revenue streams such as ad revenues, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.
The platform requires a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months to join the YouTube Partner Program, but with consistent quality content, these milestones are achievable. Moreover, success stories from other engineers and tech enthusiasts show that it’s possible to build a substantial following and profitable channel over time. If you love content creation and are entrepreneurial-minded, YouTube offers a viable avenue for diversifying and boosting your income.
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.
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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.
