We’re in a time of era where the impact of AI is making big changes to the way things work.
It’s a reality that in a global survey for 2023, it was found that 43% of company CEOs were planning to explore options for the adoption of AI in the future.
It’s fascinating, isn’t it?
And It’s no surprise that you’re wondering what the future holds and which high-income skills are worth learning in 2024.
Well, I’ve been thinking the same thing.
So, I took some time to research and put together a list of 8 high-income skills with great potential for 2024.
But these aren’t just my thoughts; I gathered insights from various top sources to create this list.
So let’s dive right into it!
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1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all about machines doing smart things that seem like something only humans can do. It’s kind of like teaching a computer to think and learn, which is really impressive!
AI covers stuff like making computers understand languages, recognizing voices, and even seeing things just like we do.
The best part? Businesses love AI because it makes their work easier and more efficient – over 64% of them say so!
Plus, the AI market size is projected to reach $407 billion by 2027 with an estimated creation of 97 million jobs!
So learning AI isn’t just interesting – it can also have the potential to help you make a decent income since there’s a growing demand for it.
You can easily learn AI online through courses such as ‘AI For Everyone‘ on Coursera or Google’s ‘AI for Anyone‘ on edX if you want to take a first-hand view into this exciting field.
For those working with AI, like AI engineers, for example, Glassdoor reports an average salary of $115,623 per year in the United States. So this could be the perfect skill to learn this year if you’re looking for high-income skills!
2. Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing is a high-income skill that’s definitely worth learning. According to Emeritus Blog, cloud computing spending is forecasted to increase by 20.4% to $679 billion in 2024, up from $563.6 billion in 2023.
This significant growth indicates a strong job market for professionals with cloud computing expertise.
If you’re thinking about getting into this field, it’s super important to learn programming languages like Python and Java, as they are widely used for automation in cloud computing.
You can start your journey into Cloud Computing by learning online through platforms like Coursera, AWS Training, and Google Cloud.
Glassdoor data shows that the average salary for a Cloud Engineer in the United States in 2024 is around $114,839 per year, making it a lucrative field to consider for those looking to enhance their earning potential.
3. Software Development
Software developers, also known as coders or programmers, play a crucial role in today’s digital world. They are responsible for designing, coding, and debugging software applications, making computers programmable and our daily lives more convenient.
As the global software market continues to grow, with a projected value of $507.23 billion in 2025 and a 5.3% growth rate, learning software development could be a smart move.
If you’re interested in learning software development, online platforms like Coursera, and Coding Bootcamps are great places to start.
According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a Software Developer in the United States is an impressive $106,668 per year.
With such high-income potential and a growing market, software development is a skill worth learning this year.
4. Project Management
Project management is the process of planning, organizing, and managing projects to achieve specific goals within defined constraints like time, scope, and budget, ensuring successful outcomes.
The demand for project managers is increasing globally, as they play a vital role in today’s competitive business landscape. It is estimated that there will be a 33% increase in demand by 2027.
And another compelling reason to learn project management in 2024 is the increasing trend of remote work.
As of 2023, 12.7% of full-time employees work from home, while 28.2% work in a hybrid model, and this trend is expected to continue to rise.
If you’re interested in gaining knowledge about project management this year, online platforms like Coursera and Skillshare offer valuable resources that can be very helpful.
As per Glassdoor, the average salary for a Project Manager is $97,836 per year in the United States. It’s a valuable skill to learn this year for those looking to level up their career prospects.
5. Web Development
Web Development involves creating, building, and maintaining websites and web applications that run online on a browser.
It includes designing visually appealing, functional, and user-friendly websites.
Front-end developers focus on the visual elements that users interact with, back-end developers work behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly, and full-stack developers have skills in both areas.
With over 380 new websites being created every minute, it’s clear that the demand for web development skills is continuously growing.
The good news is that there are easy-to-use choices like WordPress for those who prefer an easier way to get started.
Along with WordPress, platforms such as Webflow, Shopify, Bluehost, and Pixpa are gaining popularity too.
It’s also interesting to note that WordPress makes up 42.2% of all websites worldwide!
If you’re interested in learning this skill set (and why wouldn’t you be?), there are fantastic online courses available through Coursera and Codeacademy where you can get started right away.
And let’s not forget about the earning potential; according to Glassdoor data shows that the average salary for a Web Developer in the United States is around $82,787 per year – now that’s something worth considering!
6. UX/UI Design
UX/UI Design refers to User Experience and User Interface design, both essential in digital product development. It involves creating user-friendly interfaces for web and mobile applications.
Research from 2016 revealed that for every dollar invested in UX, there is a return of 100 dollars, and good UI can increase conversion rates by up to 200%, while good UX can double this to 400%.
Why should you learn it? Let’s not forget that Design has a big influence on how users interact with content.
According to the Nielsen Norman Group, it is predicted that by 2050, there will be a need for around 100 million UX professionals instead of the current one million. This shows that there’s huge potential for growth in this field!
If you’re interested in learning more about this area of expertise, various online courses are available on platforms like Skillshare and Coursera.
Plus, the average salary for a UX/UI Designer is around $80,180 per year in the United States, according to Glassdoor. So, it’s not just about making things look pretty – it’s a high-income skill worth exploring.
7. Data Analysis
Data analysis is all about collecting, cleaning, interpreting, and presenting data to uncover meaningful insights and make smart decisions.
It involves tasks like data cleaning, statistical analysis, programming (think Python, R, SQL), database management, creating reports and dashboards, data visualization, machine learning, and critical thinking.
According to the statistics, the number of job openings for analysts is expected to grow by 23% between 2021 and 2031, significantly higher than the 5% average job growth projected for all jobs in the US.
If you’re looking to upskill, platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Coursera offer online courses, including Professional Certificates, making it accessible to anyone interested in learning.
With an average salary of $80,170 per year in the United States for a Data Analyst, it’s no wonder that learning data analysis is worth considering.
8. Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing is another high-income skill worth learning if you’re interested in leveraging the power of the Internet.
Simply put, it involves promoting goods and services through digital platforms such as blogs, social media, ads, and email to reach and engage target audiences.
It’s a rapidly growing industry with a high demand for professionals, especially with the increasing shift of businesses online. With 72% of people favoring content over traditional ads, the need for digital marketing experts is skyrocketing.
To give you a better idea, this year’s top-performing channels in terms of return on investment are websites, blogs, and SEO (search engine optimization).
This means digital marketing could be perfect for you if you have a knack for creativity and enjoy working in these fields.
Various online platforms offer digital marketing courses like Google’s Digital Marketing & eCommerce course on Coursera and free Digital Marketing courses offered by Semrush Academy that are worth checking out.
With an average yearly salary of $66,945 in the United States as reported by Glassdoor, choosing a path in digital marketing can be lucrative.
Takeaways
So there you have it! These high-income skills are definitely worth considering for anyone looking to boost their career prospects in 2024.
Whether you’re interested in exploring AI, becoming an expert in cloud computing, or sharpening your digital marketing abilities, there are plenty of chances out there just waiting for you.
The great news?
Lots of online platforms provide free trials and courses for you to try out these areas before making a full commitment.
And if Skillshare interests you, as someone who reads TalkBitz, you can grab an exclusive 30-day trial instead of the usual 7 days by clicking here!
It’s always the right time to invest in yourself and gain new skills that can lead to exciting opportunities.
So go on – take that first leap toward leveling up your expertise!
