9 High-Income Skills to Learn in 2024 (+Online Courses)

Whether you are new to the workforce or looking to switch careers, you must be curious to know what the best high income skills to learn in 2024 are.

In the post-pandemic years, there has been a significant shift in hiring preferences. For instance, employers value skills over years of industry experience or prestigious university degrees. 

If you want to advance your career, upskilling with these 9 high-income skills will give you the competitive edge you need to become every employer's top choice.

This list is not based on our humble opinion, but on reports and studies conducted by World Economic Forum, Pearson, and Future Learn. Now, we can share with you what we've learned. 

In this article, you'll discover:

• What are high income skills;
• What high income skills to learn in 2024;
• Where to learn these high income skills (online courses). 

Without further ado, let's get to it!

What are high income skills?

Generally speaking, high-income skills are abilities and proficiencies which lead to above-average salaries (we're talking 6 figures!).

While it's true that every skill is valuable, some just seem to be rewarded more handsomely.  

So, what exactly makes a skill high-income?

There are several factors to consider: 

• Demand. If you really need something, you're willing to pay whatever price the seller demands. And with skills, it works the same way. Which skills are currently in high demand depends on market evolution and trends. 
• Supply. The scarcer a commodity is, the higher its price. In other words, employers are willing to offer generous sums to attract workers whose skills are rare.   
• Impact on business success. Skills that directly impact a business's bottom line, for example, product innovation, generating revenue, or improving efficiency, are highly valued. 

In short, high-income skills are those that offer exceptional value to employers. They are limited in supply, high in demand, and have a significant impact on business performance.

High-income skills to learn in 2024

In recent years, the introduction of AI automation, rise in remote work, and increased importance of online presence caused businesses to rely more on digital solutions for operations, marketing, and customer engagement.

Accordingly, the newly recognized high-income skills reflect these changes. Among these are (in no particular order):

1. Cloud computing
2. Project management
3. Full stack development
4. AI prompting
5. UX/UI design
6. Content marketing
7. Cyber security
8. Data analysis and visualization
9. Internet of Things

Now, let's have a closer look at each high-income skill separately!

1. Cloud computing

Application: across all industries 

Expected salary: $120K - $171K

Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services, such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics, over the internet (“the cloud”). Storing and processing data can be costly and time-consuming, still it's necessary. Instead of running in-house data centres, many businesses outsource these responsibilities. 

If you want to venture into cloud computing, you'll need knowledge of cloud service providers (e.g. AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform), cloud computing service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), programming languages (Python, Java, PHP).

2. Project Management

 Application: across all industries

 Expected salary: $105K -$160K    

Project managers play a critical role in conceptualizing, planning, executing, and controlling complex tasks that require team effort. 

Project management is, above all, work with people. Therefore, it requires strong interpersonal skills: negotiating with clients, motivating members of their team, and communicating with third parties. 

Among the top skills of project managers are the following soft skills: excellent communication, organizational skills, risk assessment, budget planning, leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving. 

You also need knowledge of: project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Scrum), project management tools (Asana, MS Project), spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets).

3. Full stack development

Application: web development, e-commerce platforms, corporate IT departments

Expected salary: $106K-$200K

Certainly, having a proper website is necessary for businesses of all sizes to establish a firm online presence. 

Full stack developers can handle all aspects of web development. They are high in demand due to their cost effectiveness – hiring just one person is more cost efficient than hiring separate front-end and back-end developers. 

If you enjoy both the creative and technical aspects of web development, this is the right high-income skill for you. 

The sub-set of skills you need are: front-end technologies (JavaScript, HTML, CSS, React,…), back-end programming languages (Python, Node.js, Java, PHP,..), and database management (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB).

4. AI prompting

Application: content creation, data analysis, education and training, user interaction

Expected salary: $280K - $375K   

Many fear (rightfully so) that AI will replace them. But its advent also brings new job opportunities. As AI becomes more integrated into various industries, AI prompting becomes highly lucrative. 

AI prompting consists of creating and inputting prompts or instructions into an AI system (such as Chat GPT, chatbots, language generators, ...), to generate specific responses or outputs. 

Still, the best thing is – you don't need a degree to become an AI prompter! 

Basic knowledge of AI models, good communication skills, creativity, and a sprinkle of analytical thinking are all you need to get you started. 

5. UX/UI design

Application: e-commerce, digital marketing, software development. Web and mobile applications

Expected salary: $98K - $300K  

You're on your phone, playing games, using WhatsApp, or killing it at Duolingo. Later, you do some online shopping and use Paypal. All of these apps are the products of UX/UI designers!

With more businesses moving online and the expectation of high-quality user experiences, UX/UI design is the crown jewel of the most desired computer skills. 

UX design focuses on the overall feel of the experience, making sure products are user-friendly, intuitive, and fun to interact with. 

On the other hand, UI design deals with the look and layout of the product – how each element interacts with the user.

6. Content marketing

Application: social media platforms, e-commerce, corporate communication, business websites and blogs

Expected salary: $83K - $125K  

Now that everyone and their grandmas use social media, content marketing is key to digital marketing strategies.  

Above all, content marketing fosters customer relationships. It builds trust with the target audience, which in turn improves brand reputation. 

In order to become a content marketer, you need to: have a knack for engaging content creation (writing, editing, infographics, podcasting, …); understanding of target audiences; and proficiency in analytics tools tracking content performance.

7. Cyber security

Application: corporate sector, government agencies, financial institutions, telecommunications

Expected salary: $93K - $165K   

The world moved online – and so did its criminal elements. 

A few competencies covered by cyber security involve: preventing identity theft; protection of digital assets; securing national infrastructure; or protection of financial information from fraud. 

Consequently, cyber security is essential in every sector where digital data is present. 

To become a cyber security specialist, you must have a plethora of hard skills, for instance, knowledge of programming languages; understanding of networks; or experience with firewalls and anti-virus software.

On the other hand, soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving or communication skills are also indispensable. 

8. Data analysis and visualization

Application: across all industries

Expected salary: $98K - $407K    

Certainly, our highly competitive job market affords little room for errors. As a result, business leaders no longer rely on their gut feeling and prefer to follow hard data instead.

Data analysis and visualization allows for interpretation of complex data. Therefore, business owners can now make informed decisions and calculate risks. 

Data visualization specifically refers to the techniques used to present data in graphical or pictorial formats, making complex data more accessible.

Top sub-skills for this profession include: analytical skills and data interpretation; statistical methods; Excel, Python, Tableau, R, Power BI, and so on.

9. Internet of Things

Application: smart homes, healthcare, smart cities, automotive, agriculture

Expected salary: $110K - $190K   

The Internet connects people … and devices. The Internet of Things (IoT) takes interest in a network of interconnected devices which can communicate and share data with each other. 

From the compatibility of your Apple devices, through smart households, to complex industrial machinery, IoT does it all. 

The ability to provide real-time data and connectivity opens up numerous possibilities for innovation and efficiency. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the demand for skilled IoT professionals is likely to continue growing.

High income skills without degree

Okay. Maybe not entirely without a degree – to practise these professions, you need vocational education, or an apprenticeship at least.

• Electrician. Installation, maintenance and repair of electrical systems will never be obsolete. With new challenges, such as renewable energy, this profession will prosper.
  • Annual Salary: $53K - $89K
• Welder. Indispensable for the automotive, shipbuilding, manufacturing, and construction industries, welding skills offer diverse job opportunities. As a result, the demand for skilled welders is noticeably growing.
  • Annual Salary: $41K - $60K
• Plumber. Plumbing requires the ability to read blueprints, understand building codes, and the knowledge of water and sewer systems. Likewise, this profession promises stable employment and lucrative earnings.
  • Annual Salary: $47K - $93K
• HVAC Technician. Specialists on Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning continue to be in very high demand. Questions of energy efficiency and sustainable practices offer future outlets for this industry.
  • Annual Salary: $47K - $81K
• Construction manager. As with any managerial role, critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills are necessary to oversee the completion of multi-faucet projects. Financially, this profession is well compensated.
  • Annual Salary:$79K - $132K

Where to learn high income skills? Try these online courses

It seems that adaptability to new market developments and willingness to learn continuously are the surest way to make you stand out from the rest.

In fact, 94% employers expect their employees to continue pursuing upskilling through new education technologies – like online courses.

Are you considering trying your luck in any of the high income skills we've just shown you but don't know where to start?  

We prepared a list of 5 free online courses designed especially for learning the mentioned high-income skills:

1. AWS Fundamentals Specialization

• Provider: Amazon Web Services, Inc. via Coursera
• Time: 1 month (10 hours a week, flexible schedule)
• About: You will gain a more vivid understanding of core AWS services, key AWS security concepts, strategies for migrating from on-premises to AWS, and basics of building serverless applications with AWS. Additionally, you will have opportunities to practice what you have learned by completing labs and exercises developed by AWS technical instructors.

2. UMD, USMx: Project Management Principles

• Provider: University of Maryland via edX
• Time: 5 weeks
• About: Project management is a skill that is essential in today's business world. Because of this skill set, project professionals can help organizations manage and track projects effectively, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and within budget. Additionally, project management skills can be applied to a variety of other fields, such as marketing, engineering, accounting, non-profit, and even the creative arts.

3. Generative AI Fundamentals with Google Cloud

• Provider: Google Cloud Training via Udacity
• Time: 3 hours
• About: Firstly, this course introduces you to microlearning aimed at explaining what Generative AI is, how it is used, and how it differs from traditional machine learning. Secondly, it explores what large language models (LLM) are, the use cases, where they can be utilized, and how you can use prompt tuning to enhance LLM performance. The third lesson explains what responsible AI is, why it's important, and how Google implements responsible AI in their products.

4. Learn HTML

• Provider: Code Academy
• Time: 15 hours
• About: Fun fact: all websites use HTML - even this one. It’s a fundamental part of every web developer’s toolkit. So, HTML provides the content that gives web pages structure, by using elements and tags, you can add text, images, videos, forms, and more. In essence, learning HTML basics is an important first step in your web development journey and an essential skill for front- and back-end developers.

5. Content Marketing Certification Course: Grow Better with Content

• Provider: HubSpot Academy
• Time: 8:25 hours
• About: Learn how to craft appealing, share-worthy content that captivates your audience and drives conversions. Gain insights from industry experts on building content optimization frameworks that can produce measurable results, moreover, how to work with influencers to increase your reach.

If these courses don't quite do it for you, these 30+ Best Online Courses might be just what you're looking for.

High income skills: resume hack

This style of resume isn't just the latest craze. In fact, the preference for skills-based resumes has been steadily growing among employers and employees alike.

It's especially designed to draw attention to your many skills and away from the lack of your relevant work experience. 

If you're still fresh to the workforce or wish to change careers, consider adding a skills-based resume instead of a chronological one to your job application.

Here's how one can look like:

Key takeaways: 9 High-Income Skills to Learn in 2024

Lately, there has been a rising interest in skills over industry experience or university degrees.

High-income skills are abilities and proficiencies leading to above-average salaries. They're characterised by high demand, limited supply, and significant impact on business success. 

These are 9 high-income skills to learn in 2024:

• Cloud Computing
• Project Management
• Full Stack Development
• AI Prompting
• UX/UI Design
• Content Marketing
• Cybersecurity
• Data Analysis and Visualization
• Internet of Things (IoT)