9 High-Income Skills You Can Learn to Get into Lucrative Fields

High-income skills are specialized abilities likely to land you a high-paying job. They are becoming more important than ever in today’s volatile economy, where businesses and practices change year after year. 

Whether you’re looking to advance your career, alter its direction, or change your 9-to-5 lifestyle entirely, high-income skills are one of the best ways. In this article, we’ll go through some of the most popular abilities that open doors to numerous opportunities and show you how to unlock your full potential.

What Are High-Income Skills?

High-income skills are particular talents or expertise that allow professionals to earn a much higher income than average. These skills are typically in high demand, often across multiple industries or roles within those industries. Being familiar with them results in exceptional employability in addition to lucrative salary offers and benefit packages.

One of the key characteristics of high-income skills is that they are often obtained outside traditional education. They focus on functional know-how and understanding of contemporary trends; as a result, they are practical and results-driven, and they contribute to solving complex problems.

Some of the most profitable skills in the current professional landscape are software development, digital marketing, copywriting, sales, data analysis, and so on. They significantly impact business growth or revenue, and professionals proficient in them are compensated for the value they provide.

The transferability of these skills makes them applicable across multiple high-paying careers and can even lead to entrepreneurial ventures. On the flip side, they typically require continuous learning, plenty of self-discipline, and adaptability to shifts in trends and changes in markets and technologies.

9 High-Income Skills to Learn and Add to Your Resume

Let’s explore some of the best high-income skills to obtain in the current business climate. If you’re looking for skills that earn money, you can’t go wrong with anything on this list.

#1. Software Development

Software development involves conceptualizing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications and systems. It is one of the most sought-after high-income skills to learn nowadays and has a wide application in most industries.

Developers have extensive proficiency in coding languages, like JavaScript, Python, and PHP, to write code for everything from smartphone applications to enterprise-level solutions. An in-depth understanding of algorithms, coding principles, and data structure is required, making software development a challenging skill to obtain.

Due to a steep learning curve and a high demand for skilled software developers, their job outlook sits at an impressive 17%, and a median annual salary is $130,160. While some employers can ask for a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a relevant field, many value knowledge and work history more, making a strong resume essential.

#2. Data Analysis

Data analysts study, clean, and interpret large quantities of information to help employers and organizations make better decisions. Their insights can drive sales and increase revenue, help obtain more customers, assist in getting ahead of the competition, etc.

One of the main reasons data analyst skills are high-income is that they require expertise in multiple spheres, such as statistics, programming languages, visualization tools, and more. Moreover, they need a solid foundation in mathematics and coding, so employers want to see a bachelor’s (or even a master’s) degree in a data analyst resume.

Data analysts are employed in many industries. Market research analysts have a median annual salary of $74,680 and an 8% job outlook, while operations research analysts have a higher job outlook of 23% with an $83,640 pay. 

Then, there are financial analysts with an even higher annual salary of $99,890 and a 9% job outlook.

#3. UX/UI Design

UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) designers focus on the way people interact with products and services. UI designers generally create visually appealing interfaces for apps and websites, while UX professionals work to ensure the users have a streamlined, intuitive, and pleasant experience doing so.

UI/UX designer skills range from proficiency in user behavior, wireframing, and prototyping to software skills like Adobe XD and Figma. These are high-income skills you can learn at home, and they are sought-after across many industries, including gaming, e-commerce, finance, etc.

A compelling UI/UX designer resume can land you a job in a growing industry with 8% job growth and a $92,750 median annual pay.

#4. Project Management

Project management is a high-income skill that involves planning, executing, and overseeing projects while coordinating staff, budget, schedule, and other aspects. Project managers must have extensive knowledge in the field and the ability to see the bigger picture to map out the entire process. On top of that, they need to be flexible and adapt to changes quickly.

In addition to exceptional management skills, these professionals typically have proficiency in relevant software tools, like Trello, Asana, or Microsoft Project. Furthermore, they can improve their expertise and employability through certifications or in-depth knowledge of project management methodologies, like Waterfall, Agile, and Scrum.

Project management specialists make, on average, $98,580 per year with a 7% job outlook.

#5. Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is a high-income skill that encompasses a wide assortment of abilities and techniques necessary to promote products or services online. This includes proficiency in search engines, social media, email, websites, mobile apps, and more.

This is one of the most lucrative high-income skills you can get without a degree. However, you’ll need to have a solid understanding of traditional marketing fundamentals while being adept at modern tools and updated on the latest trends. Plus, you should demonstrate all that on your digital marketing resume for the highest chances of getting the job.

Digital marketing is essential across most industries, from e-commerce and technology to healthcare, real estate, entertainment, and more. Reaching a digital audience is a must for most businesses today, which is why digital marketing specialists have an exceptional median annual salary of $156,580 and a positive 8% job outlook.

#6. Sales

Sales is another high-income skill that is applicable in many industries. It involves identifying customer needs and presenting them with optimal solutions to generate revenue. Salespeople typically have strong communication skills to persuade others and negotiate favorable terms.

There are many different types of sales jobs that require a varying degree of industry-related proficiency and knowledge of sales methodologies. For instance, insurance sales agents only need a high school diploma in their sales resume, for which they get a $59,080 median annual wage and a 6% job outlook.

On the other hand, sales engineers typically need to have a bachelor’s degree, and they make $116,950 per year with a 6% job outlook. The situation is similar for sales managers, who have an even bigger annual salary of $135,160 and the same job outlook of 6%.

#7. Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a high-income skill that helps professionals enhance website visibility on search engines like Google. SEO experts optimize website content and leverage links and keywords to improve the site’s ranking.

To be good at SEO, you need to know how algorithms work and how they change. Moreover, you need proficiency in specialized tools like Google Analytics and Ahrefs. Finally, SEO requires adaptability, as there are constant shifts and trends to watch.

SEO salary ranges vary depending on skill, experience, and education level. Junior SEO executives only need a high school degree to get into the industry, and they have a salary range between $45,000 and $53,000. On the other hand, a head of SEO with certification can earn upward of $108,000 per year.

#8. Video Editing

Video editing is a high-income skill you can learn at home that allows you to manipulate video footage to create engaging content. This skill requires a mixture of technical competence (e.g., proficiency in software like Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, or DaVinci Resolve), editing prowess, and creativity.

Traditionally, film and video editors have been crucial in the television, film, and advertising industries. The median pay is $65,070 in these fields, the job outlook is 3%, and the entry-level education required is a relevant bachelor’s degree.

However, with the rise of social media and video streaming platforms, the demand for video editing professionals has increased. That made video editing one of the best high-income skills for a side hustle since you can learn it relatively quickly and find gigs as a freelancer. The pay will continue increasing with the amount of knowledge and experience in your video editor resume.

#9. Writing

Writing is a versatile, high-income skill that includes communicating thoughts and ideas, persuading others, and telling engaging stories. Writers are necessary in many fields and industries, and they do everything from crafting blogs and online articles to producing exceptional marketing copy or complex technical documents.

Writers and authors who develop content for various media types have a median annual salary of $73,690 and a 5% job outlook. On the other hand, technical writers have a higher salary of $80,050 per year with a 4% job outlook, though they typically require specialized knowledge and some on-the-job training. A strong writer's resume can help you get one of those jobs.

How to Present High-Income Skills on Your Resume

Presenting high-income skills on your resume is a two-step process that includes:

One of the best ways to demonstrate that you have a high-income skill is in the work experience section of your resume, next to a measurable result. You should include a bullet point with a notable accomplishment that resulted from your competence, proving your expertise.

Here’s a good example of a writer presenting their high-income skills:

Here’s another good example of a software developer demonstrating their high-income skills:

For comparison, here’s a bad example of how not to present your high-income skills:

This is a poorly-written example, as it doesn’t offer concrete details about the candidate’s competence or accomplishments.

How to Learn High-Income Skills

Let’s examine some tips on how you can learn high-income skills starting today.

#1. Start with Free Resources

Some of the most valuable skills that lead to high-paying careers can be learned entirely for free online. Websites like YouTube or Codeacademy offer countless high-quality tutorials and videos on various topics ranging from writing and video editing to coding and marketing.

Starting with free resources is particularly important if you are still exploring your interests and unsure what to focus on. These allow you to gauge your affinity and enthusiasm without financial commitment.

#2. Practice Daily

Dedicate time every day to practice a high-income skill. You can start with small blocks of time (as low as 30 minutes) and go from there. Consistency is key, and daily practice will typically outperform intense periods of learning followed by days of inactivity.

#3. Engage in Projects

Applying theoretical knowledge as soon as possible to real-world projects will significantly speed up your learning. For instance, if you’re learning software development, creating your own app can give you practical experience before you apply for a job. Plus, you can use it for your portfolio.

#4. Seek Feedback

Feedback from other professionals in the field is invaluable, as it can help you pinpoint areas where you can improve. As a beginner, you often don’t know what you don’t know, so having a mentor or someone to review your work can help you improve faster than if you’re on your own. 

Closing Thoughts

Investing your time and resources into obtaining one or more high-income skills is one of the best things you can do for your career growth. While obtaining the necessary knowledge and experience doesn’t happen overnight, once you have the skills for a high-paying job, your earning and advancement potential will explode.

Remember to take the time to practice daily, engage in real projects, and seek feedback. That way, you’ll become a skilled writer, programmer, video editor, manager, or another highly sought-after professional in no time!

High-Income Skills FAQ

#1. What skill is in most demand?

One of the skills that is most in demand is software development, especially in the field of AI. Other in-demand skills include management, sales, and soft skills like critical thinking and creativity.

#2. What are the most valuable IT skills?

The most valuable IT skills include cybersecurity, mobile development, programming, systems and networks, data analysis, and more. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are also rapidly growing in popularity, and so is cloud computing.

#3. What is the most profitable skill?

The most profitable skill depends on your field of work, but digital marketing and IT skills are a solid choice. In addition to those, other profitable, high-income skills include UI/UX design, data analysis, video editing, writing, etc.