Passive Income Ideas For Systems Administrators [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a systems administrator in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a 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 systems administrator.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As a systems administrator, you could leverage your technical skills and experience to create an email marketing tool. Since you already possess a strong understanding of servers, networking, and system automation, setting up and managing the necessary infrastructure for an email marketing tool would be much easier for you compared to someone without your background.
With the email marketing industry booming and expected to reach $2.53 billion by 2028, there are endless opportunities to generate passive income. You could target entrepreneurs, startups, and real estate agents who need effective ways to communicate with their audience. By creating a tool to automate and manage email campaigns, you would be tapping into a proven marketing channel that generates leads, boosts sales, and increases customer engagement.
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 systems administrator, you could consider starting an AI-based business solution to supplement your income and delve into entrepreneurship. With your existing knowledge of IT infrastructure and networks, you're already a step ahead when it comes to integrating AI to streamline business operations. AI can help companies improve efficiency and accuracy by automating repetitive tasks and analyzing data for better decision-making, which are areas you're likely familiar with.
You could offer services that help businesses optimize their customer service, manage inventory more effectively, or provide valuable insights through data analysis. The growing demand for AI solutions means there’s a sizable market for these kinds of services. While a deep technical background isn't required thanks to user-friendly platforms and support systems, your skills in managing and maintaining IT systems will be incredibly valuable in designing and implementing effective AI solutions.
By tapping into this expanding market, you could create a steady stream of passive income while helping businesses achieve a competitive edge. It’s a great way to leverage your current expertise in a new and profitable direction.
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 social media automation business ($139K/month)
As a systems administrator, you could leverage your technical skills to create a social media automation business that offers immense value to small businesses and influencers. By developing or integrating tools that schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze social media data, you could help clients save time and boost their online presence effortlessly. This approach not only taps into your background in managing complex systems but also opens up an avenue to earn extra income passively.
Given the ever-growing need for consistent and strategic social media engagement, there’s a strong demand for automation solutions. Your role would involve staying up-to-date with social media trends, understanding client needs, and continuously improving your automation tools. With your technical expertise, you could make this side hustle both lucrative and rewarding, turning it into a steady stream of passive income.
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.
4. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As a systems administrator, your strong technical background could make developing a lead generation tool a natural and profitable side venture. You could create software that helps businesses find and capture potential customer leads, saving them time and effort. This tool could automate the tedious task of gathering contact information, such as email addresses and phone numbers, from various digital touchpoints like websites and social media.
Given your existing expertise, you could efficiently design and maintain a reliable, secure system that offers real value to businesses looking to streamline their marketing efforts. The demand for effective lead generation is consistently high, making this an excellent opportunity to supplement your income while leveraging your technical skills. If you’re entrepreneurial-minded, this venture could not only bring in extra money but also open the door to more business opportunities in the tech realm.
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.
5. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
As a systems administrator, you likely have a deep understanding of how websites function, and you've probably come across numerous plugins that troubleshoot or simplify website management. Starting a WordPress plugin business could allow you to create tools that solve specific issues you've encountered, using your technical know-how to develop solutions that other administrators will find valuable.
By focusing on creating plugins that address particular needs or streamline website management, you could generate a steady stream of passive income. You could sell your plugins on platforms like CodeCanyon, promote them on your own blog, or even create a dedicated website to attract more customers.
With your existing knowledge and skills, entering the WordPress plugin market isn’t just feasible; it could be a highly rewarding side venture. Users are always looking for reliable plugins to enhance their websites, so your well-crafted solutions could meet significant demand.
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.
6. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
As a systems administrator, you already possess a solid understanding of computing environments, networks, and software management – all of which are essential skills for developing a mobile app. You could leverage this technical know-how to create an app that addresses common issues in your field, such as network monitoring tools or productivity-enhancing utilities. This alignment with your expertise can make the development process more manageable and less daunting.
Creating a mobile app doesn’t necessarily require you to be an expert coder. If you have a clear vision for your app, you could either learn basic coding or collaborate with a skilled developer to bring your idea to life. Your primary focus would be on planning the user experience, designing engaging interfaces, and ensuring the app functions smoothly. With effective marketing, your app could gain traction, attract significant downloads, and start generating revenue, providing a steady stream of passive income.
Given the growing reliance on mobile apps in everyday life, entering this market offers immense opportunities for anyone with a solid idea and the drive to bring it to fruition. Whether your app solves a problem or provides entertainment, the potential for substantial revenue is real. Your background in systems administration can give you an edge, making this a highly viable side hustle option.
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.
7. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a systems administrator, you could tap into the growing demand for AI writing tools by leveraging your tech skills to create a digital solution that helps generate content automatically. This could involve developing a user-friendly application that businesses, bloggers, and students can use to produce accurate and engaging articles with minimal effort.
Given your expertise in managing systems and understanding software infrastructure, you'll be well-positioned to oversee the smooth integration and functionality of the AI tool, ensuring it operates seamlessly. This venture could provide a steady stream of passive income as users subscribe to your tool for automated, error-free, and time-efficient content creation, allowing you to supplement your regular income while contributing to the digital revolution.
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.
8. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be a great way for you to supplement your income as a systems administrator by sharing your specialized knowledge and experiences. You could focus on topics like IT best practices, software tutorials, system troubleshooting guides, and even reviews of tech products. By creating unique and informative content tailored to your professional expertise, you could attract a dedicated audience interested in these specific areas.
To monetize your blog, you could incorporate affiliate links for tech products, partner with relevant brands, or even grow a YouTube channel that offers video tutorials and interviews. As your audience grows, you might find opportunities to speak at events or conventions, further establishing yourself as an authority in your niche. With a passion for your topic and a commitment to engaging content, your niche blog could provide a steady stream of passive income.
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.
9. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
Starting an online course sales business could make perfect sense for a systems administrator looking to earn passive income. As an expert in managing computer systems, networks, and IT infrastructure, you possess valuable knowledge that others in the industry would find useful. By creating and selling online courses on topics like network security, virtualization, or troubleshooting common IT issues, you can share your expertise with a wide audience while generating extra income.
The process is relatively straightforward: select a specific audience, develop comprehensive course material, and choose an online platform to host and sell your course. The e-learning market is booming, expected to be worth over $645 billion in the coming years, which means there is considerable demand for quality educational content. This can be a great opportunity to diversify your income while helping others advance their IT careers.
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.
10. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
If you enjoy creating video content, starting a YouTube channel could be a great way to supplement your income as a systems administrator. You could share your expertise in areas like troubleshooting common IT issues, setting up servers, or scripting, making it easier for others to navigate the complexities of systems administration. This could attract a dedicated audience interested in tech tutorials, potentially earning you revenue through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise.
Your videos might range from how-to guides and vlogs to more in-depth educational content. Consistency and quality will be crucial, so planning your content, shooting and editing videos, and regularly engaging with your viewers will be important steps. Even though it involves effort, the potential financial rewards and the ability to share your passion for technology make this endeavor worthwhile.
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.
11. Make passive income with a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a great way for a systems administrator to earn passive income by sharing your expertise and experiences in the tech industry. You could create content around topics such as troubleshooting common IT issues, best practices for network security, or career advice for aspiring system administrators.
With minimal investment in basic recording equipment and a hosting platform, you could start producing informative and engaging episodes. Using social media and online communities to promote your podcast could help you build an audience and attract sponsors or advertisers, providing a steady stream of passive income over time.
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.
12. Make passive income with an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
As a systems administrator, you could supplement your income by delving into affiliate marketing, a way to earn money by promoting other companies' products and services online. Imagine recommending reliable tech tools, software solutions, or even hardware that you've personally vetted and used in your professional capacity. Every time someone makes a purchase through your affiliate links, you earn a commission, which can build up over time into a considerable passive income stream.
Getting started involves finding the right products and brands to partner with, ones that align well with your knowledge and expertise. For instance, you could collaborate with software vendors or eCommerce stores that offer IT-related products, leveraging your credibility in the tech community to drive sales. This not only provides a financial benefit but also allows you to share valuable resources with others in your field.
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.
13. Make passive income with a niche website ($107K/month)
As a systems administrator, you could use your technical expertise to create a niche website focused on systems administration tips, tools, and best practices. This venture offers the creative freedom to share your knowledge and experiences while also having the potential to generate revenue. By selecting a specific aspect of systems administration that you are passionate about, such as network security or server optimization, you could produce engaging content that attracts a dedicated audience.
Your technical skills would be a significant advantage in creating and maintaining the website, ensuring it runs smoothly and securely. You could monetize your niche website through affiliate marketing, promoting software and tools relevant to your audience, or by incorporating ad placements. Additionally, you could offer digital products such as eBooks or online courses to further supplement your income. This could turn your deep knowledge in systems administration into a steady 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.
14. Make passive income with a stock investing business ($30.3K/month)
As a systems administrator, you could supplement your income by starting a stock investing business. If you enjoy numbers and market trends, you may find that analyzing stocks and making strategic investments aligns with your existing skill set. You’re already adept at solving complex problems and using data to make informed decisions—skills that are essential for successful stock investing.
Getting into stock investing requires dedication and a willingness to continuously learn, but many resources and trading platforms can help you get started. The financial rewards can be significant if you’re strategic and attentive to market movements. With the right approach, this venture could provide a valuable source of passive income, utilizing the precision and analytical skills you’ve developed in your primary profession.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $160,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Ticker Nerd is a monthly subscription service for investors that surfaces and analyzes trending stocks before the hype train arrives, and now has $4.5k in monthly recurring revenue from its newsletter without spending a single dollar on advertising, having validated the business via subreddits and organic Product Hunt launch strategy.
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.
