13 Passive Income Ideas For Human Resources [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a human resources in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a human resources 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 human resources.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be an excellent way for someone in human resources to supplement their income by sharing their expert knowledge. Imagine creating content that addresses specific HR challenges, such as best practices for employee engagement, solving workplace conflicts, or tips for effective recruitment. By providing unique and informative articles, how-to guides, or spotlights, you could engage with a dedicated online community looking for reliable HR insights.
To make your blog profitable, you could grow your visibility and followers by sharing your content across social media, collaborating with relevant HR brands, or even offering affiliate links to recommended HR tools and services. Regularly engaging with your followers and creating content that resonates with them will help you maintain a loyal audience. This endeavor not only expands your professional footprint but also creates a potential passive income stream.
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.
2. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a human resources professional, you could leverage your expertise to create and sell online courses, turning your knowledge into a source of passive income. People are always looking for ways to improve their skills in areas like conflict resolution, employee engagement, or talent management, topics you are already well-versed in. By developing an online course focused on these subjects, you not only share your passion but also fill a valuable niche in the e-learning market.
Creating an online course involves selecting a target audience, structuring your content, and choosing a platform to sell your course. This allows you to reach a global audience without the need for physical presence. With the e-learning market expected to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, starting an online course sales business could be a lucrative way to supplement your HR career income.
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.
3. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a human resources professional, you could look into starting an AI-based business solution to supplement your income. AI tools can streamline human resources operations by automating repetitive tasks like resume screening, employee onboarding, and performance evaluations. This not only saves time but also allows you to focus on more strategic HR initiatives.
By offering an AI-based HR solution, you could help other companies enhance efficiency and make data-driven decisions, thereby gaining a competitive edge. Moreover, with the rising demand for AI solutions in the business world, you could tap into a growing market and create a consistent revenue stream. Many AI platforms are user-friendly and don't require a tech background, making it accessible for you to launch and manage.
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.
4. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a human resources professional, you could tap into the world of AI writing tools to supplement your income and make extra money. By developing a digital tool powered by artificial intelligence, you could create automated, error-free, and engaging content for businesses, bloggers, and students. This innovation not only meets the growing demand for constant, high-quality content but also makes writing more efficient and less time-consuming.
Imagine offering a solution that significantly eases the workload of writers around the globe, transforming their process and boosting their productivity. By embedding AI into content creation, you could pioneer a tool that stands as the future writer's best friend. This could be your opportunity to leave a mark on the digital world while earning passive income on the side.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.
5. Make passive income with a cold email service business ($170K/month)
Starting a cold email service business could make sense for someone in human resources because it leverages your understanding of people and communication. At its core, you would help companies reach their prospective clients directly through targeted email campaigns. This involves writing compelling emails, analyzing client needs, researching target audiences, and using email marketing tools to measure success.
Since you already have a strategic mindset and experience engaging with various individuals, this side hustle could be a natural fit. You could start by offering your services to small businesses needing lead generation and expand as you build more success stories. This business idea combines your HR skills with marketing, offering you the chance to earn extra income while providing a valuable service that is always in demand.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $450,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)
How long does it take to build: 35 days (?)
GMass, an email marketing platform that allows users to send cold emails and email marketing campaigns with Gmail, has attracted over 500,000 user signups, including major tech companies like Uber, LinkedIn, and Google, and now generates over $200K in monthly recurring revenue through a successful content marketing strategy and focused ad spend.
6. Make passive income with an online survey tool ($304K/month)
If you work in human resources, starting an online survey tool could be a practical way to earn extra money and develop a passive income stream. Given your expertise in understanding employee satisfaction and workplace dynamics, you could leverage an online survey tool to help other businesses gather crucial customer or employee feedback. This not only offers a cost-effective and convenient solution for data collection but also taps into a growing market as more businesses recognize the importance of feedback.
You could offer features like a survey builder and a reporting system, making it easier for companies to create and analyze surveys. For inspiration, consider how Typeform has successfully generated $70 million in annual recurring revenue by helping businesses collect valuable data. You would be capitalizing on your HR skills to offer a service in high demand, thus creating a viable side hustle with the potential for significant financial returns.
How much you can make: $40 — $1,600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
7. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
If you're in human resources and looking for a way to supplement your income, starting a niche website could be a rewarding project. Imagine creating a site focused on a specific area you’re passionate about, like employee engagement, workplace diversity, or career development tips. This focused content can attract a dedicated audience, providing you with a platform to share your expertise and insights.
Once your site gains traction, you could monetize it through various methods such as affiliate marketing, ad placements, or selling digital products like e-books or online courses. The initial investment in research, content creation, and SEO may take some effort, but over time, your niche website could become a steady source of passive income. If you enjoy diving deep into topics and sharing knowledge, building a niche website might be a great way to turn your passion into profit.
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.
8. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a great way for you to supplement your income if you enjoy creating engaging video content. As a human resources professional, you could share your expertise through videos on topics like resume tips, interview techniques, workplace culture, and career development.
Building a successful YouTube channel would require consistent effort in planning, shooting, editing, and engaging with your audience. With time and dedication, you could potentially earn revenue through ads, sponsorships, and even merchandise related to your niche. It's a versatile platform that lets you share your unique HR insights while earning extra money.
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 stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
Starting a stock photography business could be a great way for someone in human resources to supplement their income. In HR, you have likely developed a keen understanding of what kinds of images appeal to businesses, especially given your work with company branding, recruitment materials, and internal communications. By using this insight, you could create and sell high-quality stock photos that meet the needs of other professionals.
All you need is some good photography gear and a bit of practice to take high-quality shots. Uploading your photos to stock photography websites can help them be seen by thousands of potential buyers looking for the perfect images for their marketing and advertising needs. Over time, as your portfolio grows, you could start earning a steady passive income from your photos.
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.
10. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
If you’re in human resources and have a knack for technology and marketing, starting a social media automation business could be a great way to supplement your income. Essentially, this involves offering tools and services that help clients like small businesses and influencers manage their social media accounts more efficiently by scheduling posts, automating interactions, and analyzing data.
Given your background in human resources, you already possess strong skills in understanding people and building relationships—both crucial for tailoring services to client needs in this business. Furthermore, with the increasing demand for consistent and strategic social media engagement, there’s a significant opportunity to create a steady stream of income through automation services.
By integrating or developing software solutions, you could provide immense value to your clients while enjoying the flexibility and potential profitability of a side business. The setup may require some initial work in terms of learning and software integration, but once established, this business can offer ongoing returns with relatively low maintenance.
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.
11. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As a human resources professional, you could leverage your understanding of workplace needs to develop WordPress plugins that address common HR challenges, such as employee onboarding or performance tracking. If you've found a solution to an issue frequently encountered in your field, you could create a plugin for it and sell it online.
Selling WordPress plugins is a straightforward way to make extra money and generate passive income. You could list your plugin on platforms like CodeCanyon, sell it through your blog, or create a dedicated website for it. By offering valuable tools tailored to HR professionals, you could tap into a specific market niche while supplementing your income.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.
12. Make passive income with a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
As a human resources professional, you could leverage your knowledge of employee well-being to create a health and wellness app. This app could offer personalized fitness routines, nutrition plans, mental well-being exercises, and progress tracking, helping individuals achieve their health goals one step at a time. You understand the importance of a healthy, balanced workforce, so developing a tool that promotes physical and mental health makes sense.
Starting a health and wellness app doesn't require you to be a tech expert; you could collaborate with health experts and app developers to bring your vision to life. This venture allows you to make a positive impact on people's lives while tapping into the growing market for health and wellness solutions. By offering something as useful as a virtual coach in your pocket, you might find a rewarding path to supplementing your income.
How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.
13. Make passive income with a shipping business ($1.04M/month)
Starting a shipping business could be a promising avenue for supplementing your income as someone who works in human resources. Your organizational skills, ability to manage relationships, and attention to detail are all assets that can easily translate into managing logistics and ensuring timely deliveries. You could begin with smaller shipments and gradually expand as you become more comfortable and gain more clients.
Additionally, your experience in HR has likely honed your communication skills, which would be vital for establishing and maintaining strong client relationships in the shipping industry. Reliable service will encourage repeat business and customer loyalty, contributing to a steady stream of income.
By investing in reliable equipment and staying well-informed about industry regulations, you could ensure the smooth operation of your business. This side hustle could provide a dynamic change of pace from your regular HR duties while offering the potential for substantial passive income.
How much you can make: $65,000 — $2,400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
How a logistics company grew its revenue over 300% in 2 years, starting with just 2 vans and 25k+ square feet of warehouse space, and focused on relationships, efficiency, and building trust with its customers.
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.
