12 Passive Income Ideas For Administrative Assistants [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a administrative assistant in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a administrative assistant today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a administrative assistant.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As an administrative assistant, you have a wealth of valuable skills that you could turn into an online course. Whether it's mastering organizational strategies, improving office software proficiency, or effective communication techniques, there is a lot you could teach others. This could provide a steady stream of passive income while sharing what you know best.
To start, you would choose a target audience such as other administrative assistants or office staff looking to enhance their skills. Then, you would create the course content and choose an online learning platform to sell your course. Given the growing popularity of e-learning, which is expected to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, this is an excellent opportunity to supplement your income.
The initial effort to create the course could pay off over time, providing you with ongoing income as more people enroll. By leveraging your existing expertise, you could not only make extra money but also help others succeed in their roles.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
2. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
As an administrative assistant, starting a YouTube channel could be a great way to share your expertise and earn extra income. You might create videos on topics you're already familiar with, such as organizational tips, Excel tutorials, or even office hacks. This could attract viewers who are interested in improving their own administrative skills, and over time, you could monetize your channel through ads and sponsorships.
Additionally, you could use your channel to showcase hobbies or interests outside of work, like cooking or crafting, which could draw in a different audience. Although building a successful channel takes time and consistent effort, the potential financial rewards and the chance to share your unique insights make it a venture worth considering. If you enjoy planning, shooting, and editing videos, this could be both a fun and profitable side hustle.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
3. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
As an administrative assistant, starting a niche blog could be a great way to supplement your income while sharing your expertise or interests with a larger community. You could choose a niche that aligns with your passions, such as organizational tips, productivity hacks, or work-life balance advice, all of which are areas you likely have plenty of experience in.
By creating unique and informative content, like how-to guides or top product lists, you could attract readers who are looking for solutions to problems you understand well. Over time, as you build a loyal audience, you could monetize your blog through affiliate links, collaborations with brands, and even speaking at events. This way, your blog could not only become a source of passive income but also a meaningful extension of your career.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
4. Make passive income with a running podcast
Starting a running podcast could be a great way for an administrative assistant to earn passive income while sharing a passion for both work and fitness. As an admin assistant, you likely have strong organizational skills and attention to detail, which are crucial when planning, recording, and promoting podcast episodes. You could share tips on balancing a busy schedule with staying active, which many listeners might find relevant and inspirational.
Additionally, you could interview various guests, including fitness trainers, nutritionists, and fellow administrative professionals, giving your podcast a broad appeal. Over time, you could attract sponsorships, monetize through ads, or even offer premium content. Starting a running podcast allows you to create a community and potentially make money from something you enjoy.
5. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your organizational skills and eye for detail to start a stock photography business. With businesses constantly in need of high-quality images for marketing and advertising, there's a steady demand for stock photos. You could invest in a good camera and photography gear, learn the basics of taking stock photos, and start building a diverse portfolio of images.
Uploading high-quality stock photos to various online platforms could enable you to earn passive income over time. As your portfolio grows, more businesses and websites might purchase your photos, leading to a continuous revenue stream without requiring much ongoing effort. Plus, the creative aspect of photography could serve as a refreshing break from your daily administrative tasks.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
6. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As an administrative assistant, you could utilize your organizational and multitasking skills to start an affiliate marketing business, which involves promoting other companies' products and services and earning a commission for each sale. This online side hustle could allow you to earn passive income gradually, without the need to create your own products.
To begin, you might explore partnering with brands or eCommerce stores that align with your interests or expertise, making it easier to market their products authentically. By leveraging your ability to manage tasks efficiently, you could effectively find and promote the right products, ultimately supplementing your income with minimal upfront investment.
In this way, your current skill set could help you navigate the affiliate marketing landscape, opening up greater income opportunities over the long term.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 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.
7. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
As an administrative assistant, starting a print-on-demand business could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income. This business model allows you to sell customized products like apparel and phone cases without worrying about inventory costs. You could leverage your organizational skills to efficiently manage your virtual storefront on platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
With minimal startup costs and the ability to work from home, this venture could fit seamlessly into your busy schedule. This flexibility would allow you to focus on designing unique products in your spare time and reach a global audience. Plus, as you grow more successful, you could scale the business at your own pace, gradually building a steady stream of passive income.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
8. Make passive income with a legal nurse consultant
If you have a background in nursing along with your administrative experience, becoming a legal nurse consultant could be an exciting side hustle. In this role, you would use your nursing expertise to help lawyers understand medical cases by reviewing records and identifying any issues. This job can be done from home and on your own schedule, providing a flexible option for making extra money.
By connecting healthcare and law, you could find yourself contributing to important legal cases while working remotely. This blend of medical knowledge and legal assistance offers a unique opportunity to leverage your skills in a new and impactful way, helping attorneys make sense of complex medical details.
9. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As an administrative assistant, you could leverage your organizational skills and attention to detail to start a social media automation business. This involves creating tools and services to automate posts, interactions, and data analysis across various social media platforms. By doing so, you help clients save time and maintain a consistent social media presence, making their lives easier while generating extra income for yourself.
Given the growing demand for strategic social media engagement, your services could attract small businesses and influencers who need assistance managing their online presence. With a knack for technology and marketing, you could develop or integrate software solutions that simplify social media management, ultimately driving engagement and growth for your clients. This side hustle could not only supplement your income but also offer a fulfilling venture into the world of entrepreneurship.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
10. Make passive income with an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
As an administrative assistant, starting an eCommerce reselling business can be a flexible and manageable way for you to begin earning extra income. Since eCommerce reselling involves purchasing goods or services for resale, you wouldn’t have to worry about production costs, making it less risky and easier to start on a small budget.
You could leverage your organizational skills and attention to detail in sourcing products that people need or want, and reselling them through social media platforms. This approach allows you to build your business gradually without the need for an immediate website, giving you time to test the market and grow at your own pace.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
11. Make passive income with a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
As an administrative assistant, you could supplement your income by starting a dropshipping business. Dropshipping is a business model where you sell products to customers without holding any inventory. When a customer buys a product from your online store, you purchase it from a third-party supplier who ships it directly to the customer.
This means you could run your dropshipping business from your home or even during your lunch breaks, without needing significant upfront investment. By choosing a specific niche or category of products you are interested in and setting up an online store on platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, you could start earning extra money. Focus on finding reliable suppliers and investing time in marketing and customer service to grow your business gradually.
While running your dropshipping business, remember to keep an eye on your expenses and profit margins to make sure it remains profitable. This side hustle could not only provide extra income but also give you valuable skills in e-commerce and business management.
How much you can make: $6,000 — $3,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $8,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
Entrepreneur Kamil Sattar has developed multiple six-figure drop shipping businesses, and his company, e-commerce mentoring, specializes in helping others create their own successful companies, with favorite platforms including using Shopify and apps such as Loox reviews and SMSBump.
12. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
As an administrative assistant, you could use your organizational skills to start a subscription box business, which involves offering customers a unique set of products on a monthly basis. This side hustle takes advantage of your strengths in planning and customer service, catering to a niche market that you are passionate about.
With subscription boxes in high demand, you could add value to customers by offering exclusive products they can’t find elsewhere. Your administrative experience will be beneficial in managing relationships with suppliers and fulfillment companies, ensuring smooth operations. By marketing your service effectively, you have the potential to create a highly profitable stream of passive income.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
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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.
