How to Make 6 Figures As A Solutions Architect? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a solutions architect? Good for you! Being a solutions architect 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 solutions architect - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Starting an online course could be a lucrative venture for a solutions architect aiming to make six figures. By identifying educational gaps and leveraging your specialized knowledge, you could create and sell digital classes that cater to professionals and enthusiasts in your field. Developing engaging video lessons and supplementary materials will not only aid in sharing your expertise but also build a dedicated student base.
With the flexibility of self-paced or cohort-based structures, your online course could provide a stream of passive income. Entrepreneurs who enjoy information-sharing could find launching an online course platform to be a cost-effective way to monetize their skills while serving a community of eager lifelong learners. This initiative could significantly elevate your income potential, offering financial stability and growth opportunities.
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.
2. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income as a solutions architect and work towards making six figures. By leveraging your skills to offer personalized guidance, support, and strategy services, you could help clients navigate professional transitions and growth opportunities while making extra money.
With expertise in resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement tailored to each client’s aspirations, you could set up custom sessions that can be delivered either in person or virtually for added flexibility. This side business not only allows you to monetize your motivational talents but also empowers you to help others achieve their career goals while setting your own schedule.
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.
3. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be a highly lucrative way to supplement your income as a solutions architect, potentially helping you to reach a six-figure salary. By sharing your expertise and insights on trending technologies, case studies, and best practices within the industry, you could attract a broad and engaged audience. According to Optinmonster, blogs are rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information, giving you significant authority in your field.
Additionally, with 77% of internet users reading blogs, there is a vast potential audience for your content. You could monetize your blog through ad revenue, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing, converting your traffic into tangible income. By maintaining a regular posting schedule and building a mailing list, you could grow a dedicated following and turn your blog into a profitable 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. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Starting a social media influencer journey could greatly enhance your income as a solutions architect. With the rising influence of platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, you have the opportunity to engage with a vast audience by creating content revolving around your expertise in IT architecture, cloud solutions, and cutting-edge technology.
By establishing yourself as a credible source in this industry, you could attract brand partnerships and sponsorships that are eager to connect with your audience. Over time, your influence could not only supplement your main income but also open doors to diverse revenue streams, such as paid collaborations, ad revenue, and even selling your own technological products or courses.
Consider leveraging your unique insights and experience to help others solve complex challenges, making you indispensable to companies looking for thought leaders. This strategy could significantly contribute to achieving a six-figure income in 2024.
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 youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could serve as a lucrative way to supplement your income as a solutions architect, leveraging your expertise to create highly specialized and valuable content. From explaining complex IT solutions and providing step-by-step tutorials, to sharing industry insights and best practices, you could attract a dedicated subscriber base while establishing yourself as a thought leader in the field.
YouTube's established monetization system offers multiple revenue streams, including ad revenue, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing. Achieving significant milestones, such as reaching a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, could permit you to join the YouTube Partner Program, further enhancing your income potential. By investing time in content creation and promotion, you could transform your channel into a profitable side business, positioning yourself favorably within the tech community and opening doors for additional opportunities.
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.
6. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a solutions architect, potentially pushing your earnings into the six-figure range. The flexibility of freelance writing allows you to define your own work schedule, allowing you to seamlessly balance it alongside your primary job. With your ability to work from home at any time, you could capitalize on this flexibility to take on writing projects within various niches, further expanding your income streams.
If you possess strong writing skills, an ability to meet deadlines, and stay on the cutting edge of current writing tools and trends, you could establish yourself as a sought-after freelancer. Proper communication skills and being a self-starter will further enhance your reputation, attracting higher-paying clients. By leveraging these personal qualities, freelance writing could become a viable and profitable side business, substantially augmenting 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 (?)
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.
7. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be an excellent way to supplement your income and move towards making six figures as a solutions architect. With the flexibility that automation tools offer, you could efficiently manage social media marketing campaigns without the need to commit a significant portion of your time. This means you could handle your primary responsibilities as a solutions architect while generating additional revenue on the side.
By developing a robust social media marketing strategy and creating an appealing agency portfolio, you could attract and serve customers effectively. This entrepreneurial venture could help you clear utility bills, finance education, or save for a vacation, providing financial freedom and additional income streams. For solutions architects with an entrepreneurial mindset, this side business could be a lucrative way to reach your financial goals.
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 podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could significantly boost your income as a solutions architect by allowing you to share your industry expertise and build a dedicated audience. By choosing a niche topic related to solutions architecture that you are passionate about, you could attract sponsors and advertisers who are interested in reaching your specialized audience, thereby supplementing your regular income.
Moreover, your podcast could serve as a platform for networking, enabling you to connect with key industry players and potential clients. The content you create could highlight your unique skills and knowledge, potentially leading to consulting opportunities or speaking engagements, further augmenting your earning potential.
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.
9. Digital products ($242K/month)
As a solutions architect, you could significantly supplement your income and potentially make six figures by developing digital products. Whether it’s crafting an app, creating a robust software tool, or developing an in-depth online course, your technical expertise enables you to produce high-value digital products that cater to both businesses and individual consumers. Given the rising popularity and simplicity of digital products, you can efficiently create and market them on your own website without the hassle and overhead associated with physical inventory.
Moreover, digital products like membership sites and specialized community platforms offer recurring revenue streams, providing a steady, scalable income. As more users find value in your offerings, word-of-mouth and positive reviews can drive exponential growth and profitability. By leveraging your industry knowledge and strategic insight, you have the unique opportunity to build and monetize solutions that not only supplement your income but potentially become your primary revenue source.
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 a lucrative side venture or even a full-fledged business for a solutions architect, enabling you to supplement your income and potentially make six figures. By leveraging your technical skills, you could efficiently set up and optimize an online store with lower overhead costs compared to traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. This allows for increased flexibility and scalability as your store reaches a wider audience.
With eCommerce booming due to its convenience and efficiency, you could capitalize on this trend by offering niche products or specialized services that cater to specific consumer needs. Utilizing advanced inventory tracking and payment processing software, you could streamline operations and ensure a seamless customer experience. This entrepreneurial endeavor not only diversifies your income streams but also provides an opportunity to explore new markets and business models.
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 an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Supplementing your income with an affiliate marketing business could be a promising avenue if you're a solutions architect aiming to reach a six-figure salary. By leveraging your expertise in technology, you could select affiliate programs that align with tech products and services, effectively reaching a targeted audience that trusts your professional insight.
This low-cost business model enables you to earn commissions by promoting other companies' offerings without the need to create or own the products yourself. All you need is to sign up for affiliate programs, promote through unique tracking links, and earn money for each referral sale. Minimal upfront investment and the flexibility to integrate this venture with your current job make affiliate marketing a feasible option for expanding your income.
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.
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.
