Gaining high-income skills is an excellent way to improve your career prospects and boost your earning potential. Here are 9 of the highest-value and most sought-after skills to consider mastering this year.
Like your job but wish it paid better? You’re not alone. According to a 2023 study from the Pew Research Center, while over half of workers say they’re highly satisfied with their job overall, only 34% say the same about their salary (and even fewer are happy with their promotion opportunities).
The good news is you have more control over your earning potential than you think. Mastering certain high-income skills can open the door to raises, promotions, and new job prospects with superior salaries. Better yet, many of them don’t cost a dime to learn.
Read on to discover 9 of the best high-value skills you could teach yourself this year.
What Are High-Income Skills?
High-income skills are abilities or expertise that are so valuable to employers/clients that they result in higher-than-average salaries.
They tend to be specialized and high-impact, which means mastering them often requires significant training, experience, and education. This makes the skills relatively uncommon among the talent pool from which employers hire, which is another reason they pay so handsomely.
High-Income Skills and Where to Learn Them
Thankfully, there’s no shortage of skills that can produce better paydays. Here are nine high-income capabilities that are most likely to do it in the current market, plus info on where you can learn them:
1. Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is the process of promoting a brand, product, and/or service via online channels. Unlike traditional marketing, which involves things like business cards, leaflets, and billboard ads, everything is conducted via the internet. The goal is still the same, though: generate leads by increasing reach and visibility among target customers.
Because it’s such a broad marketing category, people in the field might be skilled at content creation, search engine optimization, social media strategy, email marketing, and/or data analytics, among others. Businesses in every industry are always searching for strong digital marketers, so it can be incredibly lucrative for anyone who enters the field.
Where to Learn Digital Marketing
- Numerous courses at Coursera
- Free training course from HubSpot Academy
- Paid “12 Courses in 1” from Udemy
2. Sales
Salespeople sell products and/or services for brands. Forget the stereotype of a snake-oil car salesman! Being successful involves empathy, interpersonal skills, and an affable, outgoing personality.
It’s a tough job, with big targets, deadlines, rejection, and all the pressure that trifecta entails. The financial upside can be exceptional, though. These jobs pay commission, meaning you earn a percentage of the sales you make. Those commissions are often uncapped, so the sky’s the limit in terms of income. Even better, you can learn the skill on the job with no special qualifications.
Where to Learn Sales
- The best way to become a proficient salesperson is through experience and on-the-job training
- YouTube also has many videos teaching this high-income skill, and there are online courses on Udemy and Coursera that do the same
3. Coding and Programming
Code is the language of computers that enables humans to communicate with them. Coding is the act of writing it. You create a set of instructions or rules that computers then follow/interpret. This is a subset of programming, which involves applying code for practical purposes (e.g., to develop a mobile application or piece of software).
In a digital world with ever-advancing technology, being able to develop software, apps, websites, or anything else that requires code puts you in a strong position in a well-paid field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for computer programmers in May 2023 was $99,700.
Where to Learn Coding/Programming
- Many free resources online, such as Code Academy
- The Odin Project
- Paid coding bootcamps
4. Cloud Computing
In the past, businesses relied on physical servers (often kept in-house) to store their data and digital resources. This was expensive to set up and run, required an IT team, and came with security concerns. Cloud computing solves those problems. Suddenly, a third party owns and manages the servers, and business owners simply pay them for the support they need.
A huge and growing market, cloud computing is worth $676.3 billion already and could hit $2,291.6 billion by 2032. In other words, your job prospects look good if you become proficient in this field. There are several well-paid roles available, from cloud administrators and security analysts to cloud engineers and architects.
Where to Learn Social Media Management Skills
- Courses available on A Cloud Guru and Udemy
- Google Cloud Skills Boost
- YouTube video tutorials
5. Cybersecurity
Digitization’s biggest downside is the threat of cybercrime, which is essentially any criminal activity that involves computers, networks, and networked devices. It’s a fast-growing problem that can have dire consequences. According to Statista, the financial impact of cybercrime in the US hit $12.5 billion last year. As a result, there’s now a real need for people who can safeguard people and organizations from it.
Enter cybersecurity professionals who use their understanding of things like data security and computer science to protect organizations and their computer systems from malicious online activity (such as hacks and viruses). The BLS expects the cybersecurity industry to grow a whopping 32% over the next eight years. The median annual salary is over $120,000.
Where to Learn Cybersecurity Skills
- Introductory courses are available on sites like Udemy, edX, and Coursera, among others
- Use websites like Hack the Box to learn how to hack and hone your skills (then use those skills for good!)
- Cybersecurity degrees are also available
6. Copywriting
Copywriters spend their days writing text (i.e., copy) for things like websites, marketing, and promotional materials. It’s a versatile skill that has wide-ranging applications. Every industry needs adept writers who can tell a story and communicate a message effectively. It plays a key role in building a brand and driving sales.
A major benefit of learning to write copy is the low barrier to entry versus other high-income skills. Most people can string a sentence together already, and from there, it’s a matter of practice. The more you write, the better you’ll become. Soon enough, you’ll be pitching brands, building your portfolio, and landing paid gigs.
Where to Learn Copywriting Skills
- Free copywriting courses available at Udemy and Coursera
- Free videos on YouTube
- Paid copywriting courses, such as the IDM Award in Digital Marketing (cheaper courses are available)
7. Data Analysis
Data is becoming increasingly important in organizations looking to make informed decisions about their operations and strategies. That’s why people like data scientists and business analysts have become so valuable. It’s their job to collect, analyze, and interpret raw data, then translate the results to their employer/clients.
If you’re good at mathematics, enjoy statistics, and have an analytical mind, then this high-income skill would be a natural fit. In terms of income potential, the median annual wage for a data scientist is over $108,000, and the job market is expected to grow by 35% between now and 2032.
Where to Learn Data Analysis
- Free online courses, such as the “Fundamentals of Qualitative Research Methods” from Yale University
- Udemy online courses
- 365 Data Science
8. Content Creation
Content creation involves producing educational and/or entertaining material to distribute online. The content usually falls within a certain niche (e.g., travel, food, or business) and targets a relevant audience. But, from short-form TikTok videos and feature-length YouTube videos to blog articles and Instagram photos, the type of content can vary dramatically.
It’s worth noting there’s no guarantee you’ll make money as an online content creator. The potential is there, though, and (whether you do it for yourself, a company, or both) it can be incredibly lucrative. Successful content creation is a form of digital marketing that can produce product sales, lead to brand partnerships, generate income from advertising, and more.
Where to Learn Content Creation Skills
- No special qualifications required
- Lots of free resources (from other content creators) via YouTube and social media platforms
- Courses on writing, editing, video production, and social media management available on Udemy and Coursera
9. Project Management
Project managers coordinate and oversee projects from conception to completion. They manage a team and ensure everything proceeds smoothly, deliver quality outcomes, and stay on budget and on schedule. They forecast costs, assess risks, allocate resources, and document progress, all while communicating with stakeholders.
If you’re organized, conscientious, efficient, and have an aptitude for problem-solving, project management could be a perfect fit. It’s a key role that organizations across diverse industries need to entrust to capable employees. The BLS expects the demand for this position to increase by 6% between now and 2032. The median salary last year was $98,580.
Where to Learn Project Management Skills
- A bachelor’s degree is usually required, with project or business management courses being the most relevant
- On-the-job experience is equally important. Get your foot in the door with entry-level jobs in the industry
- Project management courses and certifications are available online
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About the Author
Danny Newman is a nationally syndicated freelance writer with a focus on travel. MSN feed and Associated Press bylines. Danny is a digital nomad from the UK who’s been traveling full-time since 2018. Learn More About Danny.
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