Engineers are highly-skilled and well-paid professionals, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities to explore side hustles to boost your income.
Even with an average salary of over $92,000 per year, many engineers seek additional income streams to:
- Pay off debt faster
- Save for unexpected expenses
- Create more budget flexibility
- Build an income stream they have greater control over
The great news is that your technical skills and engineering background make you a perfect fit for a variety of profitable side hustles.
Before diving into different side gigs for engineers, consider whether taking on freelance or consulting roles within your field could be a smart option. From freelancing on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to offering consulting services or tutoring students, there are plenty of ways to leverage your expertise.
If you’re looking to diversify your income streams further, here are some top side hustles for engineers:
1. How Freelancing as an Engineer Can Boost Your Income
Ideal for: Engineers with specialized knowledge and experience.
If you have expertise in a particular area, freelancing or consulting is one of the most straightforward ways to leverage your skills for extra income. As a freelance engineer, you can offer your knowledge to businesses that need help with specific projects or challenges. Whether it’s improving a manufacturing process, designing a new system, or providing technical analysis, many companies are willing to pay top dollar for specialized consulting services.
Getting Started as a Freelance Consultant:
- Identify your niche: Whether you’re a civil engineer, mechanical engineer, or software developer, focusing on your specific area of expertise will make you stand out.
- Set up your online presence: Create a professional profile on freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr where businesses are actively searching for engineering experts.
- Network strategically: Reach out to your professional network, attend industry events, or join online engineering communities to expand your client base.
Example Success Story:
Meet John, a mechanical engineer with a decade of experience. He began consulting part-time, helping manufacturing companies improve their product designs. Within six months, John had built a client base that generated an extra $3,000 per month.
Get started by setting up your profile on freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr, where businesses post projects and hire engineering consultants.
2. Teaching and Tutoring: A Flexible Side Hustle for Engineers
Ideal for: Engineers with a passion for helping others learn.
If you enjoy explaining technical concepts or helping others succeed, teaching or tutoring could be a rewarding side hustle. Engineers are in high demand as tutors, especially in STEM subjects like math, physics, and coding. You can offer tutoring to students at various levels, from high schoolers prepping for exams to professionals looking to upskill.
Why Tutoring is a Great Side Hustle:
- Flexible schedule: You can choose your hours and work with students in person or online, making it a great fit for engineers with busy work schedules.
- High demand: There is a growing need for tutoring in STEM fields, especially in technical subjects like calculus, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
How to Start Teaching or Tutoring:
- Choose your subject: Pick an area you are passionate about, whether it’s mechanical engineering, physics, or programming.
- Pick your platform: You can offer local in-person tutoring or reach a global audience by tutoring online through platforms like Wyzant.
- Create engaging lessons: Tailor your lessons to the needs of your students, making sure they are clear, interactive, and engaging.
Example Success Story:
Sarah, an electrical engineer, started tutoring high school students in physics on the weekends. Within a year, she expanded to offer online tutoring for engineering students and now earns an extra $1,500 per month.
You can connect with students seeking tutoring in technical subjects on platforms like Wyzant, or scale your efforts by creating a course on platforms like Udemy or Teachable.
3. Start a Blog or YouTube Channel: Share Your Engineering Expertise
Ideal for: Engineers with strong communication skills and a desire to share knowledge.
If you enjoy writing or creating video content, starting a blog or YouTube channel focused on engineering topics is an excellent way to earn passive income. By building an audience around your expertise, you can monetize your content through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or selling your own products.
Steps to Build Your Audience:
- Pick your niche: Focus on a specific area of engineering, such as software tutorials, mechanical engineering projects, or electronics reviews.
- Create high-quality content: Whether you’re writing detailed blog posts or producing engaging YouTube videos, your content should be informative, well-researched, and valuable to your audience.
- Promote your content: Use SEO strategies, social media, and email marketing to promote your blog or YouTube channel and grow your audience.
Example Success Story:
Alex, a civil engineer, started a YouTube channel reviewing construction tools. Within a year, his channel grew to 50,000 subscribers, and he now earns passive income through ad revenue and sponsorships.
Get started with your blog using Bluehost, or optimize your YouTube channel with tools like TubeBuddy to improve your content’s visibility.
4. Selling Digital Products: Turn Your Engineering Skills into Passive Income
Ideal for: Engineers with expertise in design, CAD, or software development.
Another excellent side hustle for engineers is creating and selling digital products. Engineers are well-positioned to create highly valuable digital items, such as CAD templates, design files, automation scripts, or specialized software. Once created, digital products can be sold repeatedly without managing physical inventory, making it a great source of passive income.
Popular Digital Products for Engineers:
- CAD templates and 3D models
- Engineering project templates
- Software tools or automation scripts
Example Success Story:
Ben, a software engineer, started creating automation scripts for fellow engineers. After setting up a shop on Gumroad, he began generating $2,000 per month in passive income from sales.
Create your own digital product store using Shopify or sell your products on platforms like Etsy or Gumroad.
5. Real Estate Investment for Engineers: A Smart Side Hustle
Ideal for: Engineers interested in diversifying their income streams.
Real estate investing is a popular side hustle, and as an engineer, you’re uniquely suited for it. Your analytical skills can help you evaluate deals, analyze market trends, and calculate return on investment (ROI) more effectively than most. Whether you’re interested in rental properties, flipping homes, or real estate crowdfunding, investing in real estate offers great potential for passive income and long-term wealth.
Getting Started in Real Estate:
- Learn the basics: Research the fundamentals of real estate investing by taking courses or reading books on the subject.
- Decide on your investment type: You can invest in physical properties, flip homes, or contribute to real estate crowdfunding platforms.
- Analyze potential deals: Use your engineering problem-solving skills to evaluate deals, considering factors like cash flow and ROI.
Example Success Story:
Michael, a software engineer, began investing in real estate crowdfunding through platforms like Fundrise. After contributing $10,000 over two years, he now earns passive income from rental properties without the hassle of managing them.
If you’re new to real estate, platforms like Fundrise and Roofstock make it easy to start with smaller investments and grow your portfolio.
6. Developing Apps or Software: A Lucrative Side Job for Engineers
Ideal for: Engineers with programming or software development skills.
App development is one of the most rewarding side hustles for engineers with coding experience. Whether you create a productivity tool, a specialized engineering app, or even an educational game, app development can provide significant financial returns if your app becomes popular.
How to Start Developing Apps:
- Identify a need: Think of a problem that your app can solve, either for engineers or the general public.
- Develop your app: Whether you code it yourself or hire a developer, focus on creating a user-friendly and functional app.
- Monetize your app: You can sell your app directly on the app store, offer in-app purchases, or run ads within your app.
Example Success Story:
Chris, an electrical engineer, developed a project management tool for engineering teams. After launching his app on Google Play, he began earning passive income from app sales and in-app purchases.
You can sell your software on platforms like CodeCanyon or develop it for the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
7. Creating Online Courses: Share Your Engineering Knowledge Globally
Ideal for: Engineers who love teaching but prefer a scalable model.
If tutoring one-on-one isn’t scalable enough for your needs, creating online courses might be the perfect alternative. Engineers are highly sought after for courses on topics like programming, AutoCAD, or robotics. By creating an online course, you can teach thousands of students and earn passive income with minimal ongoing effort.
How to Create an Online Course:
- Choose your topic: Focus on a technical skill that is in high demand, such as Python programming, machine learning, or 3D modeling.
- Develop your course content: Include videos, assignments, and quizzes to make your course interactive and engaging.
- Promote your course: Use social media, SEO, and email marketing to attract students and grow your audience.
Example Success Story:
Diana, a robotics engineer, created an online course teaching the basics of robotics programming. Through promotion on her blog and YouTube channel, she now earns passive income every month from course sales.
You can create and sell your course on platforms like Teachable or Udemy, both of which offer great tools for monetizing your knowledge.
Final Thoughts
Engineers are in a unique position to capitalize on their technical skills and turn them into profitable side hustles. Whether you choose freelancing, consulting, app development, real estate investment, or creating online courses, the possibilities for extra income are endless. The key is to find a side hustle that matches your skills, interests, and available time. With the right approach, you can unlock significant financial rewards while pursuing projects you’re passionate about.
Ready to take the next step? Whether you’re looking to create a website, sell digital products, or invest in real estate, the right tools can make all the difference. Check out platforms like Bluehost for website hosting, Shopify for e-commerce, or Fundrise for real estate investing to get started today!
FAQs
- What are the best side hustles for engineers?
Some of the best side hustles for engineers include freelancing, tutoring, app development, selling digital products, and real estate investment. - Can engineers freelance while working full-time?
Yes, freelancing offers flexibility, allowing engineers to take on projects outside of their regular job hours. - How can engineers earn passive income?
Engineers can earn passive income by selling digital products, creating online courses, developing apps, or investing in real estate. - Is tutoring a good side hustle for engineers?
Tutoring is a highly flexible and rewarding side hustle, especially for engineers who enjoy teaching STEM subjects. - What platforms are best for freelance engineers?
Freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal are excellent for engineers looking to offer consulting services or complete project-based work. - How much can engineers make from side hustles?
Income from side hustles varies, but engineers can earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands per month, depending on the hustle and effort invested.
