The world is advancing faster than you can say 401(k).
The demand for high income skills is constantly changing. Forget the days of needing a degree and sacrificing three years of your life to (hopefully) get a small bump in your salary.
All you need now is an internet connection, and the world becomes your oyster. Are you going to sit back and moan about your monthly payments?
Or, do you want to roll up your sleeves and start building a brighter future?
There are tons of exciting opportunities at your fingertips. You simply need to pick a path and enjoy the ride. To help you turn one day into day one, we’ve put together a list of the most profitable skills to learn in 2023.
You’ll find a brief description of each skill and where it can potentially take you. Plus, we offer a few actionable steps to get you moving in the right direction.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What are high income skills?
Before we get your creative juices flowing, it’s a good idea to understand what high income skills are.
The best way to wrap your head around the term is to see them as practical abilities you can exchange for money.
Another name for them is soft skills, and these could be anything from communication to time management. Not all attributes are valued equally. Possessing the right skillset differentiates you from the herd and allows you to earn more as your abilities are in higher demand.
If there’s anything you take from this piece, it’s this: You aren’t born with high income skills—you learn them.
Top 12 high income skills to learn today
Not all attributes are equal, and many of the best degrees for making money only get your foot in the door.
So, how do you know which areas to focus your strength and attention on?
To get you started, we’ve put together a list of the top 12 high income skills you can learn in 2023. Which one sounds like the most fun to you?
1. Digital marketing
Radio and television have all but lost their influence over the public. These days, you need to know how to sell products or services online to make a profit—enter digital marketing.
Digital marketing has become an umbrella term encompassing a large set of high income skills rather than an attribute in itself. Tools like Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Google Ads, and social media marketing fall under it.
Companies worldwide will pay top dollar to whoever can make their service more relevant than the competition. To become the master of your field, you’ll need to dive deep into the minds of consumers.
You’ll have to figure out how to convert more traffic by reading analytics and bidding on keywords for the best-paid advertisements. There are tons of amazing courses available to learn these high income online skills. The best part is you can do them at your pace and in the comfort of your home.
Once you have a better understanding of digital marketing, you can begin branching out into the particular field that draws your interest.
How to learn
Here are a few ways to start learning digital marketing:
- Sign up for more premium courses through resources like Fiverr.
- Sign up for more premium courses through resources like Fiverr.
- Read blog (like ours!) and listen to podcasts by recognized industry experts.
- Follow digital marketing groups on social media platforms and ask the community questions.
2. Web design
A stylish website can make or break a sale, which is why web designing is one of the best skills to learn to make money.
In the past, you’d need a basic understanding of coding in HTML and CSS before you could attempt creating a website. While learning these programming languages isn’t a bad idea, you can skip this step using services like Elementor. Many web design platforms also offer a free trial, allowing you to play around with the tools and teach yourself.
Once you’re confident with your high income skills, approach a local business and prove your creative genius.
How to learn
There are several different ways to begin a career in web design and learn high income skills without a degree. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Sign up for a free account with web design software.
- Search for tutorials on Youtube.
- Start a free course in basic coding.
3. Blockchain
Blockchain is a relatively fresh term globally and describes a new way of storing valuable information on computers.
Learning this incredible technology puts you at the forefront of an exciting new industry and equips you with high income skills. Data leaks and poor backend security have shown how easy it is for individuals to get their hands on sensitive info.
Blockchain technology solves these issues by making it impossible to hack the system. You can think of it as an impartial, digital ledger that records transactions between computers.
Things like cryptocurrencies and NFT’s are nothing without blockchain technology, opening even more doors for your career. The demand for this skill is rapidly growing due to its wide array of uses. Some businesses have even begun offering internships to people interested in learning it.
How to learn
Here are a few ways to start your blockchain adventure and figure out the most profitable skills to learn:
- Read through tons of free resources online explaining blockchain in detail.
- Sign up for a free online course.
- Apply for an internship at a company associated with this technology.
4. Video production
These days, you don’t need an Oscar to produce a viral video. All you need is a phone and some creative initiative.
Producing and editing videos are high income skills you can learn at home without spending a dime.
Businesses realize how effective visual media is at converting traffic into sales and pay top-dollar for an expert. You don’t need to go on to produce a blockbuster, but learning this skill will put you in good standing with any marketing agencies.
How to learn
To begin your new career in video production, you can start doing the following:
- Use your phone to shoot short videos and then edit them on your device.
- Sign up for free video production courses online.
- Volunteer to put together some marketing videos at your current job.
- Learn the video production essentials here
5. Selling
The ability to sell continues to top the list of high income skills to learn since Glengarry Glen Ross.
We’re not saying you have to live your life according to the ABCs, but the theory behind this skill remains the same.
Besides, when you think about it, everything you’ve done requires some form of selling. Whether it’s convincing people to buy a pen or asking the bank to give you a loan, it’s sales.
Incomes vary for people in sales ranging from an entry level wage to six figures. Rather than focusing on it as a career, think of it as one of the most profitable skills to learn. To avoid confusion, always remember that selling is simply a relationship between you and your customer.
How to learn
There are hundreds of ways to learn how to sell. Here are a few ideas to point you in the right direction:
- Sign up for a free sales course online.
- Read about some of the core sales principles from books and websites.
- Practice selling an imaginary item or something common to friends or family.
6. Copywriting
When used correctly, writing is an incredibly powerful medium and can set you off on many fulfilling careers.
Like all other high income skills, writing is something you can learn and improve over time. All it takes is to start jotting down some sentences every day. The point isn’t to put together a novel. Your aim as a copywriter is to use your words to sell a product or service. Companies will pay dearly to have someone put together a piece of writing that answers all their potential customer’s questions.
But like every career prospect on this list, the average salary of a copywriter depends on many factors. Once you’re confident with your high income skills, salaries can easily reach over $100/ hour.
How to learn
The key to getting better at writing is to do it every day. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
- Start writing a digital journal or blog.
- Write reviews about your favorite products.
- Create a profile on Upwork or Fiverr and begin offering your high income skills for money.
7. Affiliate marketing
The idea that you must put all your eggs into one basket is frankly prehistoric. There are many ways to make a passive income, but none are as easy as affiliate marketing.
Find a product you adore and sign up with the company to receive your unique link and get in on the action.
Whenever you talk about the product or service on your social media accounts, add your link so other people can check it out.
If they buy it, you receive a percentage of the sale.
Affiliate marketing is one of the best skills to learn to make money.
Earn a passive income by blogging about food or any other passion you have. The sky is truly the limit.
How to learn
The best ways to learn about affiliate marketing are the following:
- Listen to podcasts about this skill and read other blogs to get your ideas flowing.
- Sign up for a free blogging course online.
- Make a list of five of your favorite items or services and sign up for an affiliate link.
8. Trade skills
Until we all start living in a world ruled by AI and supreme robots, the need for trade skills remains.
Recent years have seen a large decline in qualified plumbers, electricians, and mechanics due to more digital-oriented roles. Their scarcity has made them dependable, high income skills that can easily help you craft a profitable business.
Trades skills can take years to master, so this career route isn’t a side hustle but rather a learned art.
How to learn
If the sound of an engine purring in your ears gets you excited, here are some ways to get started:
- Apply to your local trade school.
- Watch tutorial videos on Youtube.
- Sign up for free online theory courses.
9. Public speaking
If you could bottle confidence and sell it, there’s a good chance you’d become the richest person in the world.
Unfortunately, you can’t.
But, you can learn public speaking, making it one of the most impressive high income skills in the right hands.
The thought of having a crowd of people hanging on the edge of your words sparks something inside us all. However, given a chance, most would decline the offer purely because it’s scary to stand in front of people and talk.
Like all other high income skills, it takes time and practice to hop on a stage and effortlessly discuss any topic. The confidence you’ll gain from this attribute is immeasurable, as well as the number of lucrative career moves. Podcasts have become insanely popular, and you could be the next headlining show.
How to learn
You need to hit the streets and become familiar with talking to anyone to learn public speaking. Here are a few ways to start:
- Sign up for the debate team at school or college.
- Attend open mic nights and try your hand at stand-up comedy.
- Go to a karaoke bar with your friends and sing along to your favorite tunes.
- Use Fiverr to order podcast intros/editing/music and just go for it!
10. Coding
Technology is only advancing, and if you want to lead the charge, coding is one of the high income skills you’ll need.
The possibilities are truly endless when you can command computers and create solutions to any problem. Coding is in everything we own today, from your favorite social media platform to bionic arms.
There are loads of different languages that each have unique applications. It all starts with “Hello World,” after that, it’s up to you to decide. Fewer employers are asking for a degree to get a job requiring coding. Instead, you’ll need to prove your talents and allow your high income skills to write the cheques.
How to learn
Grab a laptop and start learning how to code today. Here are a few ideas to get you off the mark:
- Find out which coding languages suit your ambitions.
- Sign up for free online coding courses.
- Download coaching software like Grasshopper and CodeHub.
11. 3D printing
One of the hottest skills to learn to make money in the present day requires a 3D printer. You can pick a machine up for an affordable amount without much hassle.
Used correctly, you and your 3D printer can quickly start filling your pockets with extra spending money. It’s not as simple as pressing a button, but it’s a breeze once you understand how everything works.
Purchase a few 3D models online and start selling your products using the power of social media. Learning these high income skills is a fantastic way to monetize your hobby. You can also go even deeper and find out how to produce your own 3D models for bigger profits.
How to learn
To begin learning this skill, you’ll need to do the following:
- Buy a 3D printer.
- Sign up for beginner courses online.
- Follow Youtube channels dedicated to this skill.
12. Graphic designer
The ability to make something visually attractive was once an underrated skill. Now, its value is paramount to the success of any marketing campaign or functional website. Graphics design is easily one of the best degrees for making money in the digital realm. However, you can also start learning it at home for free.
No matter where your career takes you, there’s always an opportunity to improve the look of a product or service.
How to learn
Grab your creative brushes and add this skill to your arsenal by doing the following:
- Open a free account with Canva and put together a flier for a business idea.
- Follow influential designers on social media to keep up with new trends.
- Watch Youtube videos tutorials to become familiar with design software.
Tips For Developing High Income Skills Without A Degree
There are loads of ways to learn high income skills without a degree. Make your dreams a reality.
Every journey to success has a starting point. We’ve put together three tips to begin paving the way.
Tip 1 – YouTube is your friend
One of the most powerful educational resources is used to watch funny clips daily.
You can learn anything on Youtube. Anything. So why not use it to your advantage and study billions of hours worth of tutorials teaching high income skills?
Tip 2 – Invest in your future
You don’t need to go to Harvard to become a successful entrepreneur. But the ability to produce proof of your skillset comes in handy when applying for jobs. A quick search online gives you a plethora of paid courses that produce a recognized certificate in your chosen skill.
These courses usually contain a structured curriculum with the ability to complete it at your own pace.
Tip 3 – Find yourself a Yoda
Never underestimate the power of a mentor.
You’ll get to learn from someone who’s proven their high income skills over the years and honed their craft. They can help you set realistic goals and keep you accountable for reaching them. Plus, a mentor can help you network with the right people to get your career off the ground.
Are you ready to improve your life?
It doesn’t take a genius to see the enormous potential behind learning these high income skills.
While you can attend paid online classes and gain a certificate, loads of free resources are also available.
All you need to do is pick one that resonates with you and start with the basics. The more time and effort you put in, the bigger the rewards you’ll earn. Learning one of these high income skills might just be the best thing you do all year.
The second best thing? Becoming a Fire The Boss™ reader and starting your journey to financial independence.
Benefits of learning high income skills
As you can imagine, you’ll benefit a great deal if you can display particular attributes in your field of work.
For starters, learning high income skills will help you stay current with the rapidly evolving business world. A few years ago, people got excited that we could send a text message to the other side of the world.
Now, we have self-landing rockets and the answer to every question in our pockets. Basically, if you’re not learning, you’ll get left behind, and who wants that? An employee or freelancer with desirable skills is more likely to get a position or contract over someone who just cuts the mustard.
In many cases, possessing high income skills can also mean the difference between keeping your job and becoming redundant.
