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You’re feeling stuck and undervalued in your present career. This is understandable, considering that we’ve all been through the education system, got our degrees, and thought all was well until 10, 15, or even 20 years later.
The life we envisioned back then didn’t arrive. The degrees we got and our jobs right now didn’t lead us to what we thought we would have in life. Many of us are now feeling unsatisfied, angry, and confused about how we ended up at this point. “Where did it all go wrong? Is there anything I can do to salvage this? Do I need to go back to school again?”
And I’m sure you’ve also been thinking and searching for ways to change the trajectory of your life as I did. But is it too late?
No.
It’s never too late to change. Yes, it will take a lot of effort and time, but it is possible. Here, I’ll show you a list of high income skills you can learn to make your next career move without a degree.
Let’s jump right in.
What Is a High Income Skill
A high income skill is a specific ability or expertise that lets you command a high income within the job market.
These high income skills are highly valued and sought after across various industries as they contribute significantly to revenue generation, brand recognition, and cost savings for businesses.
10 High Income Skills You Can Learn and Earn Without a Degree
1. Content Writing
Content writing is creating and publishing written content on various digital platforms, such as blogs, websites, social media ( e.g., X and LinkedIn ), email, and more.
The objective is to inform, educate, and engage your audience. Its aim is also to increase the website and blog’s search engine rankings and traffic, build branding, establish authority, generate leads, and more.
Written materials include blog posts, ebooks, how-to guides, white papers, case studies, video scripts, email newsletters, social media posts, and more.
To be a successful content writer, you’ll need strong writing, editing, research, and content creation skills.
- Average Pay: $58,000+ annually
- Top Earners: $110,000+ annually
- Market Growth: Projected to grow to USD$654.78bn by 2028 ( Content Marketing )
- Jobs: Content Writer, Strategic Content Writer, Digital Content Writer, Blog Writer, Social Media Writer, Email Writer, Ghostwriter, Content Strategist.
Resources:
- Good with Words
- Content Marketing Hub
- Earn 10X More Than Other Writers ( affiliate link )
2. Copywriting
Copywriting and content writing are both closely related and crucial high income skills within marketing. However, they are both distinct in their objectives.
The ultimate aim of copywriting is to persuade your readers to take a specific action, such as signing up for your newsletters, buying your products or services, and more. In short, copywriting’s main objective is conversion or sales, while content writing is to inform and educate, drive traffic, build branding, and others.
Successful copywriters require strong research skills, a deep understanding of customer psychology, and persuasive and strong writing skills.
- Average Pay: $62,000+ annually
- Top Earners: $94,000+ annually
- Jobs: Junior Copywriter, Copywriter, Content Writer, SEO Copywriter, Email Copywriter, Product Copywriter, Website Copywriter, B2B Copywriter, Brand Copywriter.
Resources:
3. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Search Engine Optimization is the process of improving a website’s visibility on search engines to increase website traffic.
The main goal of SEO is to rank on the first page of the search results so that the website and its content will be found and visited by people who search for a particular topic, product, or service.
This is one of the best high income skills that don’t require you to have a degree and will suit you if you’re detail-oriented and analytical and have a growth and learning mindset.
- Average Pay: $64,000 annually
- Top Earners: $95,000+ annually
- Market Growth: Projected to grow to USD$129.6bn by 2030
- Jobs: SEO Specialist, SEO Content Strategist, Digital Marketing Analyst, SEO Consultant, SEO Manager.
As you become more experienced and capable and progress into more senior roles, such as SEO Manager, your earnings will significantly increase and often exceed $100,000 annually.
Alternatively, you could become a Freelance SEO Specialist and make more.
- Average Pay: $99,000 annually
- Top Earners: $200,000 annually
Resources:
But before you can begin, you must familiarize yourself with a keyword research tool like Semrush, Moz, or Ahrefs. This will incur some upfront costs.
4. Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing involves using various social media platforms to promote products and services, build brand awareness, and engage with audiences.
This high income skill is perfect if you’re already highly active on social media. In addition to being socially savvy, you also need to be great at communication, content creation, engaging your audiences, trends awareness, and good analytical skills.
- Average Pay: USD$64,000+ annually
- Top Earners: USD$95,000+ annually
- Market Growth: Projected to grow to USD$112.6bn by 2032
- Jobs: Social Media Marketing Manager, Digital Marketing Manager, Content Strategist, Marketing Specialist, Social Media Analyst, Social Media Strategist.
Resources:
- Fundamentals of Digital Marketing by Google
- Social Media Marketing Course by HubSpot Academy
- Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate by Meta
- Get Discovered, Grow, and Earn on LinkedIn (affiliate link)
5. Email Marketing
Email marketing is another digital marketing strategy where you email people and businesses who’ve signed up for the newsletter. An email list lets you directly communicate and engage with your audience, build a community, drive sales, and more.
If you’re good at writing, can consistently generate new content ideas, and are analytical ( e.g., segmenting audiences and performances ), this high income skill will be a great match for you.
- Average Pay: $82,000+ annually
- Top Earners: $93,000+ annually
- Market Growth: Projected to grow to USD$17.9bn by 2027
- Jobs: Email Marketer, Email Marketing Specialist, Email Marketing Manager.
Resources:
- Think Outside the Inbox: Email Marketing
- Email Marketing by HubSpot
- Newsletters for Creators
- Build Your Content Library (affiliate link)
6. Video Production & Editing
Video production and editing encompass the entire process of creating video content, from planning and scripting to filming and editing.
The demand for video producers and editors has surged due to the demand for digital content and video content on streaming services, social media platforms, and websites.
The video and audio editing software market size is estimated to double to USD$8bn by 2033, from USD$4bn in 2023 at a CAGR of 7.1%. The growth is primarily driven by the ever-increasing consumption of digital content and the demand for high-quality video and audio content.
If you love telling stories through videos, either role suits you. In addition to storytelling, you require a good blend of creativity, technical skills ( e.g., video editing software ), and organization skills.
- Average Pay: $63,000+(Producer) and $54,000+ (Editor) annually
- Top Earners: $82,000+ (Producer) and $94,000+ (Editor) annually
- Jobs: Video Producer, Video Editor, Video Content Creator, Videographer.
Resources:
7. Graphic Design
Graphic design is a creative skill where you communicate information to your audience through eye-grabbing and memorable visual content. These visuals, used in printing and digital platforms, can include images, infographics, logos, product covers and labels, website designs, and many more.
It is a crucial and highly sought-after skill for brand building and awareness, product and service promotion, web design, and many other uses. And thus, making this one of the best high income skills you can learn to earn without a degree.
So, if you’re an artistic and creative individual with a keen eye for visual elements ( e.g., typography, texture, color ) and visual concepts ( e.g., balance, contrast, emphasis ), you hold a lucrative talent just waiting to be refined and monetized. Furthermore, with this high income skill, you could also branch out or transition into web designing. (more on this later)
- Average Pay: $74,000+ annually
- Top Earners: $142,000+ annually
- Market Growth: Projected to grow to USD$78.25bn by 2030
- Jobs: Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Logo Designer, Interface Designer.
Resources:
8. Web Development & Design
Web design focuses on a site’s looks and usability, involving layout, visual appearance, and user experience. Its goal is to produce an intuitive, visually appealing site that enhances user interaction. This requires a blend of creative design principles, similar to graphic design, and technical skills like coding to bring designs to life.
On the other hand, web development delves into building and maintaining a website’s functionality. It involves writing code and using programming languages to develop the website’s structure ( HTML ), the layout and style of the site ( CSS ), create interactive features ( JavaScript ), and ensure the site operates smoothly across various devices.
In short, web design leans towards the creative side, focusing on how a site looks and feels to the user, whereas web development leans into the more technical aspect, focusing on how the site works and performs.
Despite these differences, both roles share the same foundational knowledge of programming, making it feasible for you to make career moves between them. Because of this, you’ll often see open roles requiring both web design and development skills.
If you love to deal with the visual aspects of things, web designing is for you. If you prefer the technical side of websites and applications, web development is the obvious choice.
Both high income skills don’t require you to have a degree and are definitely worth investing your time and effort into.
Web Designer:
- Average Pay: $50,000+ annually
- Top Earners: $91,000+ annually
- Market Growth: Projected to grow to USD$112.35bn by 2030
- Jobs: Web Designer, Graphic Designer, UX Designer.
Web Developer:
- Average Pay: $80,000+ annually
- Top Earners: $133,000+ annually
- Market Growth: Projected to grow to USD$89bn by 2027
- Jobs: Applications Developer, Web Developer, Front-End Developer, Back-End Developer, Full Stack Developer.
Resources:
- Codecademy Web Design Courses
- Codecademy Web Development Courses
- Web Design for Everybody
- Front-End Developer
9. Data Science
Data Science is a field that combines different areas like math, statistics, computer science, and specific knowledge from various fields to make sense of structured and unstructured data.
You will use various methods, algorithms ( machine learning ), and tools to find and extract useful information and insights hidden in the data.
The Internet of Things (IoT), social media, and multimedia have accelerated data flow. Coupled with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), the global data science platform market is expected to grow exponentially at a projected CAGR of 29%.
Although you do not need a degree to become a data scientist, you do need strong fundamentals in mathematics, statistics, and programming languages ( e.g., Python, R, and SQL ). Moreover, you also need to be a problem-solver and interested in uncovering new insights from data.
Most importantly, AI/ML has become a significant part of Data Science. This means you won’t get pigeonholed and have more room to move and grow your career. With an average pay in the 6-figures, data science is one of the best high income skills you can learn without a degree.
- Average Pay: $123,000+ annually
- Top Earners: $191,000+ annually
- Market Growth: Projected to grow to USD$484bn by 2029
- Jobs: Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Operations Analyst, Business System Analyst, Data Engineer, Data Architect, Business Intelligence Analyst.
Resources:
10. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is about protecting individuals’ and businesses’ systems, networks, and information from hackers, computer viruses, and other cyber-related threats.
With the growth of e-commerce and social media, the increasing usage of smart devices, and reliance on big data, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important and is expected to grow exponentially.
This high income skill will be perfect if you’re analytical, detail-oriented, and have strong problem-solving skills. You also have in-depth knowledge in IT, network security, and various security protocols.
- Average Pay: $99,000+ annually
- Top Earners: $137,000+ annually
- Growth: Projected to grow to USD$500.7bn in 2030
- Jobs: Cybersecurity Analyst, Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, Information Security Analyst, IT Security Analyst, Cyber Defense Analyst
Resources:
Seize the Day: From Learning to Earning
Your current situation and past choices do not define your future potential. Each of the high income skills listed here opens up a new pathway to greater satisfaction and autonomy with or without a degree. You’ve already taken the first step: admitting you are unsatisfied with where you are.
The next step? Take action.
Of the 10 high income skills listed, pick the one that interests you the most and matches your strengths or expertise. Then, dive into the resources and get started.
Your willingness and determination to change, learn, and act on it will lead you to new opportunities and, ultimately, the life you once envisioned.
With or without a degree, it’s time for you to shine.
