14 Passive Income Ideas For Network Systems Administrators [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a network systems administrator in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a network systems administrator 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 network systems administrator.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As a network systems administrator, starting an email marketing tool could be a great way to supplement your income. You already have the technical skills needed to set up and maintain software applications, which means you could easily manage an email marketing tool. This tool would help businesses create, manage, and automate their email campaigns, a service that is in high demand due to the effectiveness of email marketing.
The industry is growing rapidly and is expected to be worth $2.53 billion by 2028, offering you a lucrative opportunity. You could target entrepreneurs, startups, and various professionals who need reliable email marketing solutions. With your expertise, you could ensure the tool is secure, efficient, and user-friendly, making it an attractive option for customers.
How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
2. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a network systems administrator, you could consider starting an AI-based business solution to supplement your income and make extra money. Your background in managing network systems equips you with a strong foundation to understand and integrate AI technologies that streamline business operations.
By leveraging artificial intelligence, you could create solutions that optimize tasks like customer service, inventory management, and data analysis for businesses. Companies are eager to adopt AI tools to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and make data-driven decisions, offering a growing market for your services. Many AI platforms come with user-friendly interfaces and robust support, making it feasible for you to launch this venture even if you are new to the entrepreneurial world.
Starting an AI-based business solution not only allows you to utilize your technical skills but also puts you at the forefront of an industry that is rapidly expanding. With the right implementation plan and a focus on high-impact areas, you could provide valuable services that give companies a competitive advantage. This entrepreneurial path could open up new revenue streams and opportunities for growth in your career.
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.
3. Make passive income with a workforce automation tool
As a network systems administrator, you could use your expertise to develop a workforce automation tool that significantly streamlines repetitive tasks and boosts productivity. Imagine creating software that automates data entry, schedule coordination, or customer inquiries, reducing the workload on your colleagues and allowing them to focus on more strategic activities. You'll spend the initial phase pinpointing what tasks can be automated and finding the right tools to do so.
This endeavor makes sense because you are already familiar with the technical landscape and the common challenges that businesses face in managing their networks and systems. As you fine-tune the automation process to meet evolving needs, your tool will become more efficient and valuable. By offering these solutions, you could help startups and small businesses enhance their efficiency and reduce errors, enabling them to achieve more with fewer resources, which can translate into a steady stream of passive income for you.
4. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a network systems administrator, you could supplement your income by creating an AI writing tool. This venture would leverage your technical skills to develop a digital tool that helps generate accurate and engaging content. Automated and error-free, the tool could be highly valuable for businesses, bloggers, and students, making it an attractive product in the current market.
Given your understanding of technology and systems, you could confidently navigate the development process of such an AI tool. This project could not only ease the workload for writers but also provide a steady stream of passive income as the tool gains popularity. By addressing the significant demand for high-quality content, your AI writing tool could transform writing processes and offer you promising entrepreneurial opportunities.
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 mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a network systems administrator, you could leverage your technical expertise to create a mobile app that addresses common issues or inefficiencies you encounter in your line of work. Whether it's a tool to monitor network performance, troubleshoot connectivity issues, or manage multiple servers remotely, your familiarity with network systems can inspire a practical and highly useful app.
Developing a mobile app doesn't necessarily require advanced coding skills if you choose to hire a developer to bring your idea to life. Your main tasks would involve planning out what the app should do, ensuring it provides a smooth experience for users, and testing it thoroughly to ensure it works correctly. Marketing your app effectively can then help attract users who benefit from your solution, potentially paving the way to passive income.
Considering mobile apps are an essential part of daily life, your app could easily reach a vast audience if it offers unique value. With the right approach, your app could gain traction and possibly generate significant revenue, making it a worthwhile side venture while maintaining your full-time role as a network systems administrator.
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.
6. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be a smart move for a network systems administrator looking to supplement their income. You have specialized knowledge that is valuable to others, such as best practices for network security, troubleshooting, and setting up efficient systems. By sharing this expertise through well-written articles, how-to guides, and reviews of networking tools, you could attract a dedicated readership.
Once you gain traction, you could monetize your blog through affiliate links, recommending products and services you trust and use in your own job. You could also consider creating video tutorials on YouTube, collaborating with brands in the tech industry, and even speaking at relevant events. With consistent effort and genuine passion, your niche blog could become a significant stream of passive income while also helping you build your professional reputation.
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.
7. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a network systems administrator, you understand complex systems and technical skills that many people want to learn. You could create an online course that teaches essential skills, like managing servers, setting up networks, or troubleshooting common issues. There are plenty of people who would pay to learn from your expertise, especially as the demand for tech knowledge keeps growing.
By starting an online course sales business, you could reach a wider audience and share your knowledge on a global scale. Once your course is created and uploaded to an online learning platform, it could continue to generate income with minimal additional effort on your part. The e-learning market is booming, and with some upfront effort, you could carve out a passive income stream in an ever-growing field.
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.
8. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a network systems administrator, starting a niche website could be a great way to supplement your income while leveraging your existing expertise. You could create a site focused on providing tips, solutions, and reviews on networking hardware, software, or security best practices. This could attract a dedicated audience of IT professionals and hobbyists who share your interests.
You'd need to invest some time in researching relevant topics, creating engaging content, and optimizing your site for search engines to build a loyal following. Once established, your site could bring in revenue through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or by selling e-books and online courses related to network systems and infrastructure. With dedication and a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, a niche website could become a reliable source of passive income.
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.
9. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
As a network systems administrator, you could consider starting a YouTube channel to share your specialized knowledge and skills. You could create content focusing on everything from troubleshooting common network issues, setting up home labs, or offering deep dives into the latest networking technologies. This type of content can attract a dedicated audience of aspiring IT professionals who are eager to learn from someone with real-world experience.
The revenue potential is also significant, as you could earn through ads, sponsorships, and even merchandise related to your niche. While it will take time and effort to create consistent, high-quality videos, the long-term rewards can make it worthwhile. If you have a knack for explaining complex topics in simple terms, a YouTube channel could be both a satisfying way to share your expertise and a lucrative side income.
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.
10. Make passive income with a web scraping API ($34.2K/month)
As a network systems administrator, your technical skills provide a solid foundation for developing a web scraping API. This could be a great way to supplement your income using your understanding of web protocols and coding expertise. You could design an API that automatically collects data from various websites, helping businesses perform market research, competitor analysis, or content aggregation without the tedium of manual data entry.
Starting small with a niche market would allow you to refine your service and establish reliability before expanding to broader industries. Considering the growing emphasis on data analytics, offering a web scraping API could be a profitable side hustle. Businesses are always looking for efficient ways to gather and analyze data, and your well-built API could be exactly what they need.
How much you can make: $50 — $125,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $900 (?)
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
PlanIt is a travel recommendation and planning platform that has seen compelling growth in database coverage and user growth, covering every country in the world with several thousand users and a large SEO focus as well as a growing interest from travel and lifestyle businesses to list their details.
11. Make passive income with a dropshipping business ($414K/month)
As a network systems administrator, you could leverage your technical background to start a dropshipping business. With your expertise in managing systems and platforms, setting up an online store on Shopify or WooCommerce would be relatively straightforward. This technical proficiency could save you time and reduce the learning curve associated with starting an e-commerce site.
Once your store is up and running, you could focus on selecting a niche and finding reliable suppliers from platforms like AliExpress. With a knack for problem-solving, you'd be well-equipped to handle customer service and resolve any technical issues that arise. By managing expenses and monitoring profit margins, you could create a profitable side income without the hassle of holding inventory.
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 social media automation business ($139K/month)
As a network systems administrator, starting a social media automation business could be an excellent way to leverage your technical skills for passive income. You could create or manage software that schedules posts and automates interactions across various social media platforms, tasks which are in high demand by small businesses and influencers alike.
Given your expertise in managing complex systems, you could efficiently develop and maintain these tools, ensuring they are reliable and user-friendly. The consistent need for strategic social media engagement means you would have a steady stream of clients willing to pay for these services. This could not only supplement your income but also offer a fulfilling entrepreneurial venture that makes the most of your technical know-how.
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.
13. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a network systems administrator, you could use your technical skills and industry knowledge to start an affiliate marketing business. This involves promoting products and services relevant to your field, such as network hardware, software solutions, or IT training programs, and earning a commission on each sale. Your experience and credibility in the tech space could help you create valuable content and recommendations that other IT professionals would trust.
You could begin by identifying reliable brands or eCommerce stores that offer affiliate programs for the products you frequently use or recommend. By sharing your insights and reviews on a blog, through social media, or even on a YouTube channel, you could provide helpful guidance to others while making extra money. This approach leverages your existing expertise and allows you to build a passive income stream without stepping too far outside your professional comfort zone.
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.
14. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a network systems administrator, you could leverage your expertise in technology and attention to detail to start a stock photography business. Given your experience with maintaining and managing systems, understanding the file formats, resolutions, and technical specifications that businesses require for marketing would come naturally to you.
You could invest in quality photography equipment and dedicate some of your free time to capturing high-quality images. Uploading these photos to stock photography websites could allow you to build a diverse portfolio. Over time, as your photos get licensed and sold, this could generate a steady stream of passive income, supplementing your regular salary.
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.
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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.
