How to Make 6 Figures As A Technical Program Manager? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a technical program manager? Good for you! Being a technical program manager 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 technical program manager - 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 significantly boost your income as a technical program manager by allowing you to establish yourself as an industry expert, attract sponsors, and generate additional revenue streams. By choosing a niche related to technical program management and producing high-quality content, you could build a dedicated audience of professionals eager to listen to your insights and experiences.
With an audience in place, you could monetize your podcast through sponsorships, advertisements, or even paid subscriptions. Additionally, your podcast could open doors to speaking engagements, consultancy opportunities, and other side businesses, all of which could cumulatively help you reach a six-figure 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.
2. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could help you make six figures as a technical program manager by allowing you to leverage your program management expertise to guide others in their professional journeys. By offering personalized guidance on resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement, you could create a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time business that complements your primary career.
With the flexibility to conduct sessions either in person or virtually, you could easily integrate coaching into your schedule. By building a client base, you not only empower others to achieve their career goals but also monetize your natural motivational skills and human resources experience. As a result, this entrepreneurial venture could significantly supplement your income and accelerate your journey towards earning six figures.
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. Digital products ($261K/month)
Creating and selling digital products could be an exceptional way for you, as a technical program manager, to supplement your income and potentially make six figures. Given your technical expertise, you might develop software tools, apps, or even offer specialized courses or eBooks in your domain. The upfront investment is minimal since there’s no inventory, and you can leverage your existing skills to produce these products efficiently.
Digital products are particularly advantageous because they can be sold online continuously, even while you focus on your primary job. Moreover, as they can be automated and scaled without the logistical challenges of physical goods, you have the potential to reach a global audience and maximize your revenue. This could turn into a highly lucrative side business or even evolve into a full-fledged entrepreneurial venture.
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.
4. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Supplementing your income as a technical program manager by becoming a social media influencer could help you leverage your expertise and industry credibility to monetize your online presence. Given the integral role social media plays in today's world, brands are consistently seeking influencers on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok to authentically connect with their target audience.
By choosing a niche that resonates with your professional knowledge and interests, such as tech reviews, project management tips, or software insights, you could attract a dedicated following and collaborate with brands that are willing to pay for sponsored posts or product placements. With the right strategy and consistent content creation, establishing yourself as a credible influencer in your field could become a substantial secondary stream of income, bringing you closer to the goal of making six figures 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. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Supplementing your income as an affiliate marketer could help you reach six figures as a technical program manager by leveraging your industry expertise and network. You could promote products or services related to your niche, earning commission for each sale generated through your unique referral links. This enables you to tap into an additional revenue stream without substantial upfront investment, making it a financially viable option.
Given your strong analytical and problem-solving skills, you could effectively drive traffic and conversions using data-driven marketing strategies. By signing up for affiliate programs related to technology and project management, you could align your side business with your existing knowledge and professional interests. This way, you not only supplement your main income but also diversify your financial portfolio.
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.
6. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could be an excellent way to supplement your income and edge closer to making six figures as a technical program manager. With lower overhead costs and the ability to reach a global audience, an online store offers an attractive opportunity for entrepreneurial-minded individuals. Your technical expertise will be an asset in setting up and managing the necessary software infrastructure, such as payment processing, shopping cart, and inventory tracking systems.
As eCommerce continues to boom, you could capitalize on the increasing trend of consumers preferring to shop online for convenience and efficiency. Whether it’s selling your unique products or dropshipping, the flexibility of an eCommerce store allows you to manage your business alongside your primary job seamlessly. This side venture could eventually scale into a full-fledged business, potentially enabling you to achieve your goal of a six-figure salary.
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.
7. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could significantly supplement your income as a technical program manager, drawing you closer to a six-figure salary. By leveraging social media marketing tools, you could automate many of the necessary tasks, allowing you to manage your regular responsibilities while generating extra income in your free time. A well-crafted marketing strategy and a solid agency portfolio could enable you to attract and serve clients efficiently, fulfilling diverse financial goals such as paying off utility bills, funding education, or saving for vacations.
Furthermore, your technical background would be an asset in understanding and utilizing advanced analytics and marketing tools, thereby providing a competitive edge in the market. This entrepreneurial endeavor could not only boost your financial status but also expand your skillset and professional network, contributing to long-term career growth.
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.
8. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a technical program manager, potentially helping you reach the six-figure mark. As a freelance writer, you could leverage your industry expertise by writing insightful articles, whitepapers, and case studies on topics relevant to your field. This niche focus could make your content highly valuable and in demand among tech companies, startups, and blogs.
Freelancing provides the flexibility to define your own work schedule, allowing you to take on projects that fit around your primary job. Strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and proper communication could enhance your reputation and lead to a steady stream of high-paying clients. Staying up-to-date with current writing tools and trends could further boost your efficiency and earning potential in this venture.
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.
9. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be an effective way to supplement your income as a technical program manager and even help you reach six-figure earnings. Blogging has evolved into a lucrative business, with 77% of internet users reading blogs, and each month 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages. By leveraging your expertise in technical program management, you could create high-value content that resonates with a broad audience, establishing yourself as a thought leader in your field.
You could monetize your blog through various streams such as affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or offering premium content and courses. Given that blogs are rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information, providing practical advice and insights could attract a loyal readership and drive significant traffic to your site. With a strong content strategy and consistent posting routine, your blog could not only become a creative outlet but also a substantial source of additional income.
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.
10. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an avenue for supplementing your income as a technical program manager, leveraging your industry knowledge to create valuable and engaging content. Given YouTube's established monetization system and immense popularity, you could capitalize on your expertise to attract a dedicated audience. Posting instructional videos, project management tips, or behind-the-scenes project insights could set you apart and build a reputable online presence.
By joining the YouTube Partner Program, you could monetize your content once you reach the minimum threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. Achieving these milestones could open doors to additional revenue streams through ad revenue, sponsorships, and partnerships. With a consistent and strategic approach, your channel could become a significant source of extra income, helping you reach the six-figure mark in your career.
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.
11. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)
Creating an online course could be a highly lucrative way to supplement your income as a technical program manager. You could leverage your extensive experience to identify educational gaps in your field and develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials to fill those gaps. This entrepreneurial initiative not only allows you to share your knowledge but also opens up passive income potential, as students can self-pace or join cohort-based structures.
By launching an online course platform, you could monetize your instructional talents with relatively low startup costs, serving a wide array of lifelong learners eager for convenient access to technical program management skills. This could be especially beneficial for you if you enjoy information-sharing and wish to establish a new revenue stream while helping others advance 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.
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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.
