Passive Income for Social Workers (15 Brilliant Ideas!)

By Forrest McCall •  Updated: 10/14/23 •  9 min read

Are you a social worker looking to make passive income?

I've put together this list of some of the best passive income ideas so you can start making money without working. Let's get into it!

1. Blogging

Starting a blog is an excellent way for social workers to earn passive income online.

By sharing your knowledge, experiences, and advice in blog posts, you can cater to aspiring social workers or those in need of your services.

To begin, choose a niche that aligns with your expertise and interests. For example, a blog about social work could be a terrific option. As your blog gains traction, you could profit from display ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and selling digital products.

Remember, it takes time and patience to see significant income from blogging, but with dedication and quality content, you can establish a valuable resource for your audience and generate passive income.

2. Invest in Real Estate with Arrived

By investing in real estate with Arrived, you can generate passive income from rental properties. With a minimum investment of $100, it's an excellent option for social workers looking to enter the rental income market while working on other aspects of their career.

Arrived Homes Investing

Remember, investing in real estate for passive income requires a long-term strategy and patience. With Arrived Homes, you have an accessible method to incorporate real estate investing into your financial portfolio.

3. Invest in the Stock Market with Acorns

Investing in stocks with Acorns is another great way to build wealth and generate passive income without working.

You'll just need $5 to get started and you'll get a free $20 when you make your first deposit.

Acorns Investing

One method of doing this is by investing in dividend-paying stocks that can contribute to your financial stability.

When you invest in a company through Acorns, your money is directed towards a portfolio of carefully selected dividend-paying stocks. These stocks have the potential to generate income for you without requiring additional work on your part. The dividends you receive are reinvested, allowing your investments to grow over time thanks to compound interest.

4. Sell Stock Photos

As a social worker, you can earn passive income by selling stock photos online. High-quality and unique images are in demand, and many stock photo websites allow you to upload and sell your photos pretty easily.

I've found that choosing the right platform, such as Shutterstock, iStock, or Getty Images, is crucial for maximizing your earnings.

The income generated from your photos will depend on their quality and exclusivity, with your share typically ranging between 20% to 50% of the sale price.

Remember to market your stock photos by leveraging social media and other online channels. A strong online presence will increase your exposure and help potential buyers find and purchase your photos, boosting your passive income as a social worker.

5. Rent Out a Room

One effective way to generate passive income as a social worker is by renting out a room in your home.

Platforms like Airbnb provide an easy way to list your spare room and attract potential renters. By renting out your extra space, you can create a consistent stream of rental income without much hassle or effort.

When listing your room, be sure to set a fair and competitive price to attract more guests. Additionally, maintain a clean and welcoming space to ensure positive reviews and ratings, which could lead to more bookings in the future.

6. Sell Digital Products

Have you ever thought about selling digital products online?

This method has low start-up costs and does not require any physical inventory or shipping. To begin, brainstorm ideas that build upon your expertise and are valuable to others in your field, such as ebooks or printables.

Once you have chosen a digital product to create, use market research to validate your idea. Develop your product and launch it on an online marketplace, such as Etsy.

By offering digital products in your area of expertise, you can create a source of passive income as a social worker while also helping others in the process.

7. Wrap Ads On Your Car

Want to make money doing nothing? Consider wrapping your car with ads!

A few reliable companies, such as Wrapify or Carvertise pay drivers for displaying ads on their vehicles. Your earnings will depend on the miles you drive and the campaign's duration. Typically, you can expect to earn between $100 to $350 per month.

To get started, sign up with a legitimate car wrap advertising company, and they will match you with suitable campaigns. Once your car is wrapped, simply drive your usual routes and watch as passive income flows in.

8. Create a YouTube Channel

Starting a YouTube channel is another excellent way for social workers to create passive income online.

By sharing your expertise and experiences, you can educate viewers and build a community of like-minded individuals.

To begin, choose a niche that aligns with your background, interests, or skills. Then you can develop video content that is informative, engaging, and consistent in quality.

You can leverage search engine optimization (SEO) to make your videos more discoverable and increase your views.

Finally, you can monetize your YouTube channel through AdSense, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. As your channel grows, so does your passive income potential.

9. Start a Podcast

Starting a podcast can be a rewarding passive income stream for social workers.

To begin, choose a podcast topic related to social work that you're passionate about and commit to it.

Pick a compelling name and write a concise description for your podcast. First, decide on the format, such as interviews or solo episodes, and create appealing artwork and intro music. Then you can purchase necessary podcast equipment, like a quality microphone and recording software.

Remember to regularly publish episodes and promote your podcast on social media to grow your audience.

Once your podcast gains traction, you can monetize it through sponsorships, selling digital products, or offering subscriptions for premium content. This way, you'll create a passive income source while making a meaningful impact on your listeners' lives.

10. Sell Ebooks

Writing and selling ebooks can be an excellent source of passive income for social workers.

Keep refining your content to maintain interest and generate more revenue. Sustained efforts in promoting your ebooks can yield a steady passive income for years.

11. Sell Printables

Selling printables is a great way to generate passive income for social workers.

All you need to do is create digital designs that can be downloaded and printed by customers on platforms like Etsy. You only have to design the product once, and it can be sold repeatedly, resulting in passive earnings.

To create printables, use your expertise as a social worker to offer valuable content such as self-help guides, worksheets, or therapy tools. Tap into your unique perspective on social issues and design aesthetically appealing products that cater to your target audience.

Remember to invest in promotion and marketing to reach potential customers

12. Open a High Yield Savings Account

Opening a high-yield savings account can help boost your passive income as a social worker.

These accounts typically offer higher interest rates compared to regular savings accounts, enabling you to accumulate more earnings over time.

To get started, research the best high-yield savings account by comparing interest rates, minimum balance requirements, and any associated fees.

Once you've opened your account, make sure to regularly deposit or transfer funds to maximize your savings potential. As your account grows, you'll benefit from compound interest, which accelerates the growth of your savings without additional effort on your part.

13. Become a Social Media Influencer

As a social worker, you can leverage your expertise and passion by becoming a social media influencer.

Choose a niche related to your profession, such as mental health, self-care, or community development. Consistently create and share valuable content on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube.

Once you've built a following, you can generate passive income by collaborating with relevant brands, promoting products, or offering sponsored posts. You can potentially earn between $195 to $1,804 per Instagram post, depending on your audience size and engagement. Then you can diversify your income with other sources such as e-books, online courses, or affiliate marketing.

14. Sell Online Courses

As a social worker, you possess valuable knowledge and experience that others can benefit from. One way to earn passive income is by creating and selling online courses. Platforms like Teachable make it easy to build, host, and sell your course.

First, identify a topic within your expertise that appeals to a broad audience. Next, create engaging content using a mix of video, audio, and written materials. Remember to structure your online course in a logical and easily digestible format. Once completed, publish your course on Teachable, set your price, and promote it to reach potential students.

By offering online courses, you not only generate passive income, but also help others learn and grow from your expertise.

15. Rent Things Out

Are you looking for passive income opportunities as a social worker?

Renting out items or spaces can be a practical way to earn extra money.

Consider listing storage locations like your basement, attic, or spare room on platforms like Neighbor, where people in your local area can rent them for storage space.

Additionally, renting out items like laptops for remote work, online learning, and travel can generate income. Keep in mind that renting out things or spaces requires minimal effort on your part, making it an ideal passive income source for busy social workers like you.

Final Thoughts

There are tons of great ways to earn passive income as a social worker. I recommend trying a few ideas and seeing which ones work best for your lifestyle to get started.

Once you've had some success, you can double down on them to make even more.

You can also check out these passive income ideas for single moms or these passive income ideas for artists for more help!

Forrest McCall

Forrest is passionate about helping others grow their passive income streams so they can reach financial freedom. He has been quoted in many popular finance publications including Business Insider, Bankrate, CNET Money, and more.