13 Passive Income Ideas For Civil Engineers [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a civil engineer in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a civil engineer 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 civil engineer.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a civil engineer, you could create an online course to teach others about skills like structural analysis, project management, or using software like AutoCAD. Many people are eager to learn from experts like you, and the e-learning market is growing rapidly, making it a great time to get started. By launching your own online classes, you could turn your expertise into a source of passive income.
All you need to do is identify your target audience, develop the course content, and choose a platform to sell your course. This could be a practical and profitable way to share your knowledge while supplementing your income. Plus, once the course is created, it could keep earning you money with minimal ongoing effort.
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 mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a civil engineer, you could supplement your income by creating a mobile app that addresses specific needs within your field. For example, you could develop a tool that helps your peers with project management, cost estimation, or structural analysis, making their tasks more efficient and accurate. Even if you lack coding skills, hiring a skilled developer can help turn your vision into reality.
The process involves planning the app’s user experience, designing intuitive interfaces, and thoroughly testing for issues. Effective marketing is crucial to attract users and achieve downloads, but the payoff could be substantial as mobile apps are now a fundamental part of daily life. If you have a creative idea that can solve problems or improve processes for engineers, this could be a rewarding and profitable endeavor.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
3. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a civil engineer, starting a niche website about civil engineering topics could be a smart way to make extra money and eventually build passive income. You could create focused content around areas you're passionate about, such as sustainable construction practices, innovative materials, or project management tips. By sharing your expert insights, you could attract a dedicated audience of engineering professionals and students seeking specialized knowledge.
Once you've built up traffic, you could monetize your site through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or even by selling digital products like e-books or online courses. Although creating and managing the site will require some upfront effort—like researching topics, writing articles, and learning a bit about SEO—over time, your website could generate a steady stream of income. If you’re entrepreneurial-minded and eager to share your expertise, a niche website could be a rewarding side project.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
4. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a civil engineer, you could supplement your income by starting an AI-based business solution. This would involve using artificial intelligence to optimize business processes such as customer service, data analysis, and inventory management. With AI, companies can improve efficiency, cut costs, and rely on data to make smarter decisions—all without requiring a tech background to implement.
You could leverage your problem-solving skills to create AI tools that automate repetitive tasks and provide valuable market insights. The demand for AI solutions is growing rapidly, and businesses are increasingly seeking these technologies to gain a competitive edge. By focusing on high-impact areas and using user-friendly platforms, you could successfully launch an AI-based business, tapping into a market that's on the rise.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
5. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As a civil engineer, you could use your problem-solving skills and technical knowledge to create a lead generation tool. This tool would automate the process of finding potential clients for businesses, helping them to focus on converting these leads into customers. By identifying and capturing valuable data such as email addresses, phone numbers, and interests, your software could streamline marketing efforts for businesses.
Imagine integrating your tool with websites, social media channels, and other digital platforms to gather this information. The demand for efficient lead generation is high, meaning businesses of all sizes are looking for ways to grow their customer base without excessive effort. Developing a lead generation tool could be a lucrative side venture that leverages your existing skills and opens up new opportunities for passive income.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.
6. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
Starting a stock photography business could be a great fit for civil engineers looking to supplement their income. As a civil engineer, you have access to unique subjects like construction sites, architectural designs, and urban landscapes that many businesses and websites need for marketing purposes. By capturing high-quality images of these settings, you could create a portfolio that attracts a steady stream of customers.
Investing in good photography equipment and learning the basics of stock photography would be your first step. Once you have a collection of usable photos, uploading them to stock photo websites could lead to a slow but steady stream of passive income. Marketing your portfolio online can help you sell your images faster and at more profitable margins.
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.
7. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be a great side hustle for a civil engineer to supplement your income by sharing your knowledge in areas where you have expertise. You could focus on specific topics within civil engineering, such as sustainable building materials, innovative construction techniques, or project management best practices.
By creating unique and informative content like how-to guides, top product lists, and project spotlights, you could attract an audience interested in your specialized knowledge. Monetizing your blog through affiliate links, collaborations with relevant brands, and possibly speaking at related events could provide additional income streams.
Sharing your passion for civil engineering in an engaging and consistent manner could help you build a dedicated following and establish yourself as an authority in your field.
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.
8. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an exciting way for you as a civil engineer to earn extra income and share your passion. You could create videos that explain engineering concepts, showcase interesting projects you’ve worked on, or provide how-to guides on technical skills. This not only helps other engineers and students but also establishes you as an expert in your field, opening up potential revenue streams through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise.
While building your channel requires effort in planning, shooting, and editing videos, the rewards can be significant. Consistently creating valuable content will help grow your audience, and a good understanding of SEO and social media marketing can further boost your reach. If you are prepared to invest the time, a YouTube channel could provide both financial benefits and the satisfaction of sharing your expertise with a wider audience.
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.
9. Make passive income with a real estate investment firm ($398K/month)
As a civil engineer, you could significantly benefit from starting a real estate investment firm. Your expertise in structural integrity, land development, and project management equips you with unique insights into evaluating and improving properties. This makes it easier to identify undervalued assets with high potential for appreciation or rental income.
Additionally, your ability to assess property conditions and oversee renovations could lead to more profitable deals. By leveraging your existing skill set and understanding of the built environment, you could build a side income stream in real estate without needing extensive additional training. This business venture could be both financially rewarding and a natural extension of your career skills.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 210 days (?)
Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.
10. Make passive income with a cabinet making business
As a civil engineer, you could leverage your understanding of materials, structural integrity, and project management to start a successful cabinet making business. Your technical skills would be beneficial in designing and constructing high-quality cabinetry, ensuring durability and aesthetic appeal.
This venture could allow you to manage projects during your free time, making it a viable side hustle. Additionally, your network within the construction industry might provide valuable contacts and opportunities for client referrals, helping you to grow your business while supplementing your income.
11. Make passive income with a chimney company
As a civil engineer, starting a chimney company could be a practical way to leverage your skills in structural integrity and safety. You’re already familiar with building materials and construction methods, which means you'll be well-equipped to handle chimney inspections, repairs, and installations. This venture taps into a constant market need for maintenance and safety, giving you the chance to diversify your income sources effectively.
Given the serious fire hazards that come with chimney issues, your expertise could provide real benefits to homeowners, helping them maintain a safe and comfortable living environment. The work involves cleaning, inspecting, and repairing chimneys, which could be quite fulfilling if you enjoy hands-on, practical problem-solving tasks.
To start, you would need to invest in training for chimney safety and obtain necessary certifications. Focus on a strong marketing strategy to reach homeowners and property managers, and with a commitment to quality and reliability, you could steadily grow your client base and build long-term relationships. This could become a fruitful way to supplement your income while also offering essential safety services.
How much you can make: $21,000/month
Patriot Chimney, a Virginia-based chimney repair company founded by three friends, generated over $212,000 in its first year of operation, using a mix of digital and in-person marketing and customer retention strategies, and plans to expand its business and customer base with new initiatives including an online store and non-profit organization.
12. Make passive income with a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
As a civil engineer, starting a subscription box business could be a strategic way to supplement your income. You could leverage your industry expertise to curate a niche set of products that appeal to fellow engineers, such as specialized tools, software add-ons, or educational materials. Your understanding of your field could help you identify what products offer real value and are in high demand.
To get started, you could focus on selecting quality items that your peers would find beneficial and perfecting the design of your subscription box to ensure it is both practical and appealing. Building a good relationship with fulfillment companies is crucial to streamline delivery and maintain customer satisfaction. This entrepreneurial venture could not only provide extra income but also position you as a thought leader within the civil engineering community.
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.
13. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
As a civil engineer, starting a print-on-demand business could be a practical and lucrative side hustle. You could leverage your design skills and technical knowledge to create unique apparel, home goods, or phone cases that resonate with your professional community or those interested in engineering themes.
Utilizing online platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay means you could showcase your products to a global audience without needing to invest in inventory upfront. With minimal startup costs and the ability to manage everything from home, this business model allows you to earn extra income while maintaining your primary job as a civil engineer.
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.
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.
