How to Make 6 Figures As A Ui/Ux Designer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a ui/ux designer? Good for you! Being a ui/ux designer 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 ui/ux designer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be a lucrative way for you to supplement your income as a UI/UX designer, helping you to reach six-figure earnings. With your design skills, you could develop visually appealing and user-friendly social media campaigns that stand out. Leveraging automated social media marketing tools, you could efficiently manage multiple client accounts without an overwhelming time commitment, giving you the flexibility to continue your primary job.
Additionally, creating an agency portfolio to showcase your strategic and design capabilities would attract clients seeking high-quality social media management. This side business could not only finance your vacations or education but also potentially grow into a full-fledged business venture, providing you ample financial stability and entrepreneurial satisfaction.
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.
2. Digital products ($242K/month)
Starting a digital product business could help you make six figures as a UI/UX designer by leveraging your existing skills to create valuable resources that others are willing to pay for. Digital products are particularly attractive because they are easy to create and distribute, enabling you to build and grow your business from anywhere. Whether it's an app, an ebook, a course, or a membership site, these products can provide a steady stream of passive income.
As a UI/UX designer, you could develop beautifully designed templates, UI kits, or design tutorials that appeal to both novice and experienced designers. This not only showcases your expertise but also expands your professional network and credibility in the industry. The best part? There’s no need for physical inventory, allowing you to keep overhead costs low and profitability high.
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.
3. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Starting a social media influencer business could be a lucrative way to make six figures as a UI/UX designer. By leveraging your design skills and keen eye for aesthetics, you could build a strong personal brand on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok. These platforms have become essential tools for connecting with large audiences and collaborating with brands seeking to engage potential customers.
As an influencer, you could share your design process, offer tips, and showcase your portfolio, attracting followers interested in UI/UX design. Brands may approach you for sponsored content, product reviews, or collaborations, providing additional income streams. This entrepreneurial venture could not only supplement your primary income but also open doors to new career opportunities and partnerships within the industry.
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 youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent way for a UI/UX designer to supplement their income and even pave the way to making six figures. By sharing your design expertise, you could attract a following of both budding and experienced designers, creating a strong community around your content. With YouTube's established monetization system, once you reach the threshold of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, you could begin generating revenue from ads.
Additionally, your YouTube channel could open up other revenue streams such as sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and paid tutorials or courses. These opportunities, together with YouTube’s incredible popularity, provide a lucrative side business or even a primary income source if managed well. Sharing your unique insights and creative processes not only builds your personal brand but also diversifies your income, helping you to break into that six-figure income bracket as a UI/UX designer.
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.
5. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Starting an online course could help you make six figures as a UI/UX designer by leveraging your expertise to teach specialized skills to a global audience. By identifying educational gaps in your field and developing engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could cater to lifelong learners eager for convenient access to emerging subjects.
With self-paced or cohort-based structures, building a student base could generate significant passive income, providing an additional revenue stream. For designers who enjoy sharing knowledge, launching an online course platform could be a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with minimal startup costs.
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 career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Supplementing your income by starting a career coaching business could help you make six figures as a UI/UX designer. Providing personalized guidance, support, and strategy services, you could assist clients in navigating professional transitions and reach their growth potential, leveraging your own industry expertise.
With flexibility for in-person or virtual meetings, you could build a client base and empower clients through specialized advice and accountability. This entrepreneurial venture lets you monetize your motivational abilities, speak to groups, and flex human resources skills—all 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.
7. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could significantly boost your income as a UI/UX designer by enabling you to share your expertise with a broad audience. This not only establishes you as an industry authority but also opens up monetization opportunities through ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing. Given that blogs are ranked as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information and are read by 77% of internet users, the potential reach for your blog is substantial.
Additionally, a blog allows you to diversify your income streams. You could offer digital products like eBooks, online courses, or templates tailored to UI/UX design. With approximately 409 million people viewing over 20 billion pages each month, a well-targeted and consistently updated blog could become a critical component of your path to making six figures.
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.
8. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
As a UI/UX designer, starting an eCommerce store could be an excellent way to supplement your income and achieve a six-figure salary. The ongoing boom in eCommerce, driven by its convenience for consumers, provides a ripe opportunity for you to leverage your design skills to create an engaging, user-friendly online shopping experience. With lower overhead costs and the ability to reach a wider audience online, you could see significant financial returns without the burden of a traditional brick-and-mortar setup.
Starting an eCommerce business will require you to set up a website where customers can browse and purchase products, alongside integrating payment processing and inventory tracking software. Your expertise in creating seamless, intuitive user experiences could not only differentiate your store from competitors but also attract and retain a loyal customer base. With a well-designed platform, you could transform your entrepreneurial vision into a profitable venture that enhances your primary income as a UI/UX designer.
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.
9. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be a powerful way to supplement your income and help you make six figures as a UI/UX designer. With your in-depth knowledge and experience in the design field, you could write specialized content such as blog posts, e-books, course material, or case studies, which could be highly valuable to your target audience. Your expertise would set you apart in a competitive market, providing you with opportunities to command higher rates for your work.
Moreover, freelance writing offers incredible flexibility, allowing you to manage your design projects while creating quality content during your downtime. This could be especially beneficial if you enjoy the freedom to define your work schedule and work from home. Combining strong writing skills with your design acumen could result in a successful side business, potentially turning into a primary revenue stream that contributes significantly to your financial goals.
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.
10. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As a UI/UX designer, starting an affiliate marketing business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income and pave your path to making six figures. By leveraging your design skills, you could create engaging content that drives traffic and sales to products offered by other businesses, earning commissions through your unique tracking links. This venture requires minimal upfront investment and allows you to focus on promoting products within your niche, making it an accessible option for those looking to start a business on a budget.
You could use your understanding of user experience to optimize the way you market these products, ensuring that your referral links convert well. With the right strategy and effort, affiliate marketing could become a significant source of secondary income, enabling you to leverage your existing UI/UX skills in a new and profitable way.
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.
11. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a lucrative sideline or even a primary business as a UI/UX designer. By creating content that delves into design trends, best practices, and industry insights, you could establish yourself as an authority in the field, broadening your professional reach. This, in turn, could lead to sponsorship deals, partnerships, and a growing audience of loyal listeners.
Additionally, sharing your unique experiences and hosting interviews with other experts could appeal to aspiring designers and businesses looking to improve their UX/UI. With relatively low startup costs like purchasing a microphone, headphones, and utilizing affordable hosting platforms, you could effectively monetize your podcast through advertising, sponsored episodes, and even premium content. This supplementary income stream could edge you closer to that six-figure income goal.
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.
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.
