7 High-Income Skills to Boost Your Paycheck

There are lots of ways to earn money as an employee, freelancer, or entrepreneur. However, some particularly lucrative, in-demand skills attract a higher salary.

These skills prepare you for jobs that offer great career progression opportunities. They can also position you to become your own boss, allowing you to work on your own terms and set your own rates.

The great news is that you can develop high-income skills in a range of fields, both technical and non-technical. Most don’t even require a degree.

Here are seven high-income skills for 2024. Each of these skills can “future-proof” your working life. They also offer the chance to build your own business and find an exciting new way to earn a six-figure income.

What Are High-Income Skills?

High-income skills are simply skills that attract more money. They cover the latest technologies, as well as sectors experiencing high demand for talent.

The skills generally relate to the workplace, offering paid employment with a good starting salary and opportunities for promotion.

However, if you have your eye on working for yourself, developing certain skills can set you up as a high-demand freelancer. This means you can set your own rates.

You might even want to use your in-demand skills to launch your own business – this offers unlimited earning potential.

So, what are some high-income skills?

We’ve put together a list of technical and non-technical high-income skills without degree-level training required.

We’ve also listed some specific job roles within each area, so you can find the right opportunity for you. While we’ve added some salary info, the level of income will vary according to location, role, and experience.

Let’s get started…

• How to Get a Six Figure Job - Without a College Degree

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML)

If you’re looking to develop high-income skills in a rapidly growing sector, the field of AI and ML is an excellent choice. The technology is expanding into all areas of life, with the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT making AI available to everyone with internet access.

As this is a relatively new field, the surface of its potential has only just been scratched. For example, exciting opportunities are emerging in Generative AI (GenAI) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).

Starting salaries in this field are upwards of $100k, with experienced AI/ML professionals earning over $200k.

There are also great freelancing opportunities. Organizations without in-house AI/ML capabilities need highly skilled experts to work on projects involving data analytics, data modeling, and software frameworks.

Skills & education needed

Many AI and ML professionals have bachelor’s (or higher) degrees in computer science. However, you can build a successful career in this field without a degree.

This requires a strong portfolio and advanced skills in such areas as:

• Programming languages (e.g. Python)

• ML algorithms

• Data analysis

You might also benefit from accredited certification from a reputable provider.

Google, IBM, and Microsoft Azure offer skills-based training, including introductory courses to help you decide if it’s a field you want to pursue.

Example career paths

✓ ML/AI engineer

✓ AI consultant

✓ AI product manager

✓ Natural Language Processing (NPL) engineer

✓ GenAI developer

✓ RAG engineer

Basics

2. Marketing

Marketing is an exciting and potentially lucrative path, whether you’re looking for a career with a firm or agency or want to go it alone as a freelancer or business-owner.

Essentially, you help organizations to engage with customers and clients, with the eventual goal of encouraging them to become repeat buyers.

While print marketing is still a thing, many of the opportunities are in the digital space nowadays. Social media and search engine optimization (SEO) marketing are among the in-demand, high-income skills.

Starting salaries are in the region of $50k, while experienced marketing managers can earn up to $200k.

Skills & education needed

You can get into this field without a degree in marketing. Work experience, professional training, or an internship can land you an entry-level role. It’s also a great choice if you have studied:

• Journalism

• Communications

• Business

• Other arts and humanities subjects

Similarly, a math or tech degree can qualify you for data-driven marketing roles.

Explore communities and courses on Whop that teach you the ins and outs of marketing.

Example career paths

✓ Marketing associate

✓ Marketing manager

✓ SEO specialist

✓ Marketing assistant

✓ Social media coordinator

✓ Digital media manager

Basics

3. Data analysis

The world runs on Big Data, so if you can develop skills that help organizations understand and process this information, you’ll be in high demand.

This field involves gathering and interpreting data, as well as analyzing trends and making predictions based on your findings. Data analysis roles are available in different business sectors, such as finance and operations.

Average salaries are approx. $75k to $120k. Freelancing in this area is challenging but possible if you’re experienced and able to network to find opportunities.

Skills & education needed

A degree in data analytics, data science, computer science, mathematics, or statistics is usually expected. Skills required include:

• Python

• R

• SQL

• Tableau

• Power BI

• Critical thinking

• Computer systems and applications

Other routes into the field include a data analytics bootcamp, interning, or completing accredited certification.

Courses to consider include MapR Certified Data Analyst or the IBM suite of training.

Example career paths

✓ Data analyst

✓ Data scientist

✓ Data engineer

✓ Business intelligence analyst

✓ Financial data analyst

Basics

4. Software development

Software development is a wide-ranging field that includes many different roles and skillsets. From coding and programming to graphic design and user experience (UX), the process of developing a piece of software is a team effort.

The opportunity here is significant, with the global software market expected to reach $734bn in 2024 and continue to grow.

Starting salaries are in the $50k to $100k range. There are also excellent opportunities to go it alone as a freelancer or even cash in by developing and selling your own software.

Skills & education needed

This is one area where a degree is expected, with most professionals holding a bachelor’s (or higher) in software engineering or computer science. However, plenty of people have entered the field without a degree.

Experience in coding, such as a professional course, self-directed learning, or a bootcamp, can go a long way to show employers you’re serious.

Example career paths

✓ Software engineer

✓ Product manager

✓ Software architect

✓ Designer

✓ Tester

✓ Documentation writer

Basics

5. Cybersecurity

As computing systems and technology become more sophisticated, the demand has grown for experts to keep systems safe from hackers and other external threats. If you have information technology (IT) skills, this means you can find opportunities in the field of cybersecurity.

The salary for a cybersecurity analyst starts at approx. $80k, with the average salary in this field around $122k. Experienced cybersecurity professionals can earn in excess of $250k. Freelance opportunities are available, especially in cybersecurity consultancy.

Skills & education needed

A degree in computer science is useful but not necessary. Entry-level jobs in cybersecurity are available to non-degree holders. Required and transferrable skills include:

• IT

• Network engineering

• Networks and security

• Mathematics

• Management

You can take advantage of bootcamps, self-guided learning, and industry certifications. However, moving up to management-level roles or technically complex jobs might need a relevant degree.

Certifications to consider include CompTIA Security+, Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate, and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (known as CISSP).

Example career paths

✓ Cybersecurity analyst

✓ Security architect

✓ Malware analyst

✓ IT security consultant

✓ Security software developer

✓ Chief information security officer

Basics

6. Web development/design

Even with the growth of DIY website building sites like Wix, web development and design remain high-income skills that are very much in demand. You could work for an organization or agency building functional and secure websites.

Salaries for experienced web designers are upwards of $120k, with starting pay around $100k. You can also go the freelance route or start your own business developing websites for clients.

Skills & education needed

Many developers have computer science degrees. Depending on the role you want, the required skills may include:

• HTML

• CSS

• Responsive design

• PHP

• Java/JavaScript

• C#

• Python

• SEO

• Cloud computing

• UX

If you don’t have a degree, you can get a foot in the door with professional training, bootcamps, or self-directed learning.

Among the providers offering training are Microsoft and Adobe.

Example career paths

✓ Website designer

✓ Tester/troubleshooter

✓ Back-end developer

✓ Visual designer

✓ Front-end developer

✓ Web security consultant

Basics

7. Content creator

There is some overlap here with marketing. However, the focus is on crafting different types of content for one or more formats. The breadth of content is broad, everything from social media posts and ebooks to YouTube videos and podcasts.

The purpose of content creation can be to build a personal brand, make money from affiliate marketing, or help a company establish authority. Overall, the aim is to get attention in a crowded online space. Work for a company, content marketing agency, or yourself.

Salaries here vary wildly due to the different roles available but start at around $50k.

This is a field where freelancing opportunities are unlimited, with many creators monetizing their own content as online entrepreneurs.

Skills & education needed

No degree is needed for a successful career in content creation. However, many people in this field have studied subjects such as:

• Journalism

• Marketing

• Photography

• Filmmaking

• Art & design

• Communications

Whop, the Content Marketing Institute, and Udemy, all offer training in content creation and strategy. However, experience is more important, as is the ability to produce content that connects with an audience.

The great thing is that you can simply start creating content and posting it yourself on your own website, blog, or social media channels. Build a strong portfolio and a dedicated following. This will show employers that you have the skills they need.

Alternatively, look for ways to monetize your content and be your own boss – which is what we’re all about at Whop.

Example career paths

✓ Blogger

✓ Social media content creator

✓ Influencer

✓ Videographer

✓ Photographer

✓ Editor

✓ Content strategist

Basics

What Other Options are There?

None of these right for you? Here are some more in-demand, high-income skills for 2024 and beyond:

• Blockchain technology (salaries average around $100k)
• Cloud computing (salaries average around $120k)
• Graphic design (salaries range from $50k to $75k)
• Project management (salaries range from $50k to $120k)
• Copywriting (salaries range from $40k to $85k+)
• Sales (salaries range from $30k to $100k+ plus commissions)
• Financial planning (salaries range from $50k to $100k)

These skills also offer opportunities for freelancing and self-employment, where income can be far higher.

Learn & Earn With Whop

Whether you want to learn a new skill or put your existing skills to work earning you $$$, Whop is the go-to solution for you.

We have 1,000s of creators ready and waiting to help you take your knowledge to the next level. Find communities, courses, and tools and develop the knowledge to land your next lucrative business opportunity.

You can then market yourself with your very own whop hub. Once you’ve developed in-demand, high-income skills, you can create your own courses or ebooks to share your expertise and experience with others and further monetize your knowledge.

Whatever you need – from learning to earning – we’re here to support your journey to financial freedom and success.