Top 7 Ways to Make Money in Programming

Most aspiring programmers I interact with regularly on different online platforms often ask me, “Can I really make money from programming?”

It’s a valid question, especially when you’re about to invest your time, money, and resources into learning a new skill. You want to be sure that programming will reward your effort with tangible monetary returns—whether in the short or long run.

Here’s the good news: programming is one of the most lucrative skills you can learn today. With the growing demand for technology across all industries, there’s no shortage of opportunities to earn a satisfactory and high income as a programmer.

While there are countless ways to make money in programming, I’m going to share with you the 7 topmost ways to earn a living and build wealth as a programmer.

Let’s dive in.

1. Programming Jobs

The traditional 9-to-5 programming job is one of the most secure and stable ways to make money in programming. Companies around the world are always in need of skilled software developers, web developers, mobile app developers, and more.

Here’s why programming jobs are a top choice for many:

• Job Security: With technology driving every industry, programming skills are in high demand, ensuring steady job opportunities.
• Attractive Salaries: Entry-level programming jobs can pay anywhere between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on your region and skillset. Experienced developers earn even more.
• Room for Growth: You can climb the career ladder, becoming a senior developer, team lead, or even CTO.

If job stability and growth appeal to you, pursuing a programming job might be the perfect fit.

2. Freelancing

Freelancing offers unmatched flexibility and freedom for programmers who want to work on their terms. As a freelance programmer, you can:

• Choose the projects that interest you.
• Set your own rates.
• Work from anywhere in the world.

Popular freelancing platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal connect programmers with clients looking for skilled developers. Freelancing is a great way to diversify your income streams while building a portfolio that showcases your skills.

However, freelancing isn’t all rosy—it requires discipline, effective time management, and the ability to handle client relationships. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, freelancing can be highly rewarding.

3. Teaching

Do you enjoy sharing knowledge and helping others learn? Teaching programming is another excellent way to make money. Here’s how you can start:

• Create Online Courses: Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Skillshare allow you to share your programming knowledge with a global audience and earn passive income.
• One-on-One Tutoring: Offer private lessons to individuals who want personalized programming guidance.
• YouTube Channel: Launch a channel where you teach programming concepts for free while earning through ad revenue and sponsorships.

Teaching doesn’t just bring financial rewards—it also strengthens your own programming knowledge. As they say, the best way to learn is to teach!

4. Building SaaS Applications

SaaS (Software as a Service) applications are a game-changer in the tech world. These are cloud-based tools that users pay a subscription fee to access, like Trello, Slack, or Canva.

If you have a problem-solving idea that can make life easier for individuals or businesses, consider building a SaaS application. While this path requires effort, including building, marketing, and scaling the app, the potential earnings are enormous. A successful SaaS application can generate recurring income for years.

5. Creating Open Source Applications

Creating open-source software might seem like a selfless act, but it can also be a way to make money. Here’s how:

• Donations: Platforms like Patreon allow you to receive financial support from users who appreciate your work.
• Sponsorships: Companies and organizations might sponsor your projects in exchange for branding or recognition.
• Paid Services: You can offer premium support, installation, or customization services for your open-source software.

Open-source development allows you to showcase your skills to the global programming community while building a sustainable income stream.

6. Creating Premium Plugins for Popular Platforms

Popular platforms like WordPress, Shopify, and Joomla rely on plugins to extend their functionality. Developers who create high-quality plugins for these platforms can make substantial income by selling them.

The key to success in this area is identifying a common need within a platform’s user base and creating a plugin that solves it. Once built, you can sell your plugin on marketplaces like CodeCanyon or directly on your website.

7. Selling Programming-Related Digital Product

Beyond plugins, programmers can also create and sell digital products like:

• E-books on programming topics.
• Templates for websites or applications.
• Pre-built libraries or frameworks.

Digital products have the advantage of being scalable. Once you’ve created them, they can generate passive income with minimal ongoing effort.

How to Start Making Money from Programming

Before you can start earning money from programming, there’s one crucial step: you need to learn programming first.

For absolute beginners, I recommend starting with the basics of HTML and CSS. These are the building blocks of modern web development and will give you a solid foundation to build on. Once you’ve mastered them, you can explore more advanced languages like JavaScript, Python, or Java based on your interests.

Start Your Programming Journey Today

If you’re ready to take the first step toward making money from programming, I’ve got the perfect starting point for you. My course, “Quick Start to Responsive Web Design: HTML and CSS Basics,” is designed to help you:

• Understand the fundamentals of HTML and CSS.
• Build modern, responsive websites from scratch.
• Gain the confidence to explore advanced programming languages.

Learning programming doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your skills—and opportunities—grow.