Are you wondering, “What skills can I learn to make money?” or “What are the best high-income skills I can learn without a college degree?”
If so, you’ve landed on the right post!
Today, I’m excited to share some of the best high-income skills you can start learning right now to make money online and boost your income.
As you may already know, on this blog, I love sharing flexible money-making ideas that help people like you earn without having to invest a fortune upfront. You don’t need to be a lawyer, a surgeon, or a CEO to make a great income — there are plenty of practical, high-paying skills you can master without a degree.
Curious to know what they are? Let’s dive in!
Best Online Skills That Make Top Dollar
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If you’re looking to earn more than the average American and create the life you’ve always dreamed of, I highly recommend exploring this list of high-income skills. You might be surprised to discover that many of these skills don’t require a college degree — just dedication, time, and the willingness to learn!
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1. Proofreading
If you have a sharp eye for detail and enjoy spotting and correcting errors in written content, you could make an excellent proofreader!
Proofreading is a high-income skill that’s in demand across many industries. Authors, bloggers, business owners, students, academics, and even large companies all need proofreaders to ensure their content is clear, cohesive, and free of spelling, grammar, syntax, and punctuation errors.
There are two main types of proofreaders:
- General proofreaders work with a variety of materials, including books, eBooks, blogs, website content, and virtually any document that isn’t legal in nature.
- Legal proofreaders specialize in legal documents and materials related to the legal industry — and they often command higher rates.
Key skills required: Strong English skills, exceptional attention to detail, the ability to focus for extended periods, meet deadlines, and thoroughly review lengthy documents.
Income potential: General proofreaders can earn around $50,000 or more per year, while legal proofreaders often earn even higher incomes. Best of all, proofreading is a flexible career that you can do from home or anywhere in the world!
My friend, Caitlin Pyle over at ProofreadAnywhere.com, has been helping people become financially free through proofreading since 2014 — and was a proofreader herself before that. She has put together a free online workshop that answers all of the most common questions about becoming a proofreader, and she even shows you how to use the most popular tools used by proofreaders around the world.
Check out this workshop here while it’s still FREE.
Related post: How to Become a Proofreader from Home with No Experience
2. Blogging
At one time, blogging was just considered a hobby. But right now, blogging is a high-income skill that can bring in a lucrative income even while you’re at home.
You don’t need to be a great writer to make money from blogging. You just need to love writing and researching and have some basic computer skills to get started.
What’s great about blogging is that you can pretty much get started with very little investment. You’ll only need a domain and hosting ( best price here + a free domain name!).
Blogs make money in various ways, such as ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and online courses. This small blog, for example, makes anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 per year from display advertising alone.
As you become more serious with blogging, you’d want to acquire other skills, such as networking and marketing, image editing, and technical skills like search engine optimization (SEO). The more related skills you acquire, the likelier you are to maximize your blog’s earning potential.
Skills required: Content writing, image editing, social networking, marketing, SEO.
Income potential: Six digits
If you want to learn how to start a blog and make money from your new blog, head over to How to Start a Blog and Make Money. I wrote that detailed guide to help you get started even if you don’t have experience with blogging!
3. Freelance Writing
Online writing is another high-income skill that commands lucrative pay, and it’s constantly on the list of high-income skills in 2020. Online writers write for the internet. They inform, educate, and entertain through words. Some of the common materials online writers create are blogs, web content, articles, eBooks, and more. Writers may be paid a flat fee per word, per project, or per hour.
Copywriting, a specialized field of writing that focuses on creating materials that persuade, is also highly paid. In some instances, copywriters are not just paid a flat rate, but also a percentage of the sales from their copy.
Skills required: Top-notch writing skills, ability to research, meet deadlines, network, and handle criticism
Income potential: Writing income varies depending on your field and specialization, but many make five- to six- digit incomes from copywriting.
You don’t need a degree to become a well-paid freelance writer but good training might help you succeed faster. Holly Johnson, a 6-figure freelance writer, has free introductory training that teaches the techniques she used to build her writing income to $200,000 per year!
Don’t miss it because lots of people who are making a good living from writing are raving about Holly’s strategies!
4. Photography
Photographers aren’t just people who take photos at weddings and first birthdays. People also hire photographers for their marketing campaigns, and to capture images for posters and social media content. Photographers could even make passive income by selling their work on stock websites.
For me, photography is one of the best high-income skills to learn because you can make a lucrative amount of money with just one gig. Professional photographers typically invest in top-notch cameras, lenses, and accessories, but you could very well start with a decent DSLR camera or even a smartphone with almost DSLR functions.
Skills required: Creativity, technical photography skills, networking, attention to detail, customer service, and marketing.
Income potential: Depends on the field of photography, but according to Salary.com, the average income is $66,000.
5. Podcasting
If you love to talk and are excellent at carrying on conversations, then podcasting is one of the best high-income skills you can make money from. Podcasts are recorded audio conversations between you and your audience, or you and your guests, and are made available for download and streaming.
Podcasters can pick a niche and talk about it. For instance, if you are a savvy traveler, then you do a podcast show on anything travel-related. This means you can talk about anything within your niche and appeal to an audience of travel enthusiasts. You don’t need to be a graduate with a specific degree or have a certification in podcasting. You can just talk and talk, and then make money.
Podcasters can make money in various ways, such as sponsored podcasts, direct support from fans and listeners, affiliate content, and selling complementary products.
Skills required: Speaking and interview skills, audio editing, empathy with the audience, story-telling, networking, and marketing.
If you’re interested in learning how to start and grow a podcast, Skillshare is a fantastic platform to explore. It offers a wide variety of podcasting classes taught by industry professionals. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to level up your skills, Skillshare provides practical, easy-to-follow lessons to help you turn your podcasting ideas into reality. Sign up for a 7-day free trial here and start learning today!
Income potential: Income from podcasting varies. According to The Best Media, ads in podcasts cost between $20-$100 per 1000 listeners and pay $500-$900 per 10,000 downloads in affiliate sales.
Related: How to Make Money with Podcasting
6. Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping is one of the in-demand high-income skills as well. Businesses, whether big or small, need bookkeepers to maintain their financial records. Bookkeepers are in charge of recording and organizing financial transactions, preparing financial reports, recording payments, and more.
Bookkeepers play a crucial role in providing business owners with a general and detailed overview of their business’s financial health. Most business owners do not have the time to dwell on the nitty-gritty of these transactions, making bookkeeping a sought-after service.
Nowadays, you do not have to take courses in accounting or bookkeeping to become a bookkeeper. Even those without prior experience can become bookkeepers by taking advantage of comprehensive bookkeeping courses available online.
Skills required: Number-savvy, communication skills, tech skills, problem-solving, attention to detail, and organization skills.
Income potential: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for bookkeepers is $19-$20 per hour. Virtual bookkeepers make more, commanding a rate of up to $60-$100 per hour.
If you have no bookkeeping experience and you want to learn how to become a bookkeeper, I recommend checking out Ben Robinson’s free workshop about starting your own digital bookkeeping business. Ben, the founder of Bookkeepers.com, has already helped hundreds of people build successful bookkeeping businesses from home through his coaching program.
7. AI Skills
Artificial intelligence is one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative fields these days. Whether you’re a tech-savvy professional or just starting out, learning AI skills can open doors to high-paying freelance projects, remote jobs, and even your own digital products.
Here are some of the most in-demand AI skills to consider:
- Prompt Engineering: With the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT and MidJourney, businesses need experts who can craft prompts that generate high-quality results. This skill requires creativity and strong communication abilities—and can easily command rates of $100/hour or more.
- Machine Learning (ML): ML specialists build and train AI models. While this requires more technical knowledge, it’s one of the most sought-after skills with salaries that can reach six figures.
- AI-Powered Content Creation: From writing articles and social media posts with AI tools to creating AI-generated art and marketing copy, those who know how to harness AI for content creation are thriving.
- AI Automation Tools (like Zapier with AI, Make, or ChatGPT plugins): Businesses want to save time and money by automating tasks. If you can help set up AI-powered workflows, you can charge premium consulting fees.
- AI Coding and Development: If you have coding experience, learning how to build AI-powered applications, chatbots, and tools can put you on the fast track to landing high-ticket projects.
The best part? Many of these skills can be learned for free or at low cost through platforms like Coursera, YouTube, and OpenAI’s own learning resources.
Bottom line: The world is only getting more AI-driven—and those who position themselves as AI-savvy professionals will have endless opportunities to earn more.
8. Financial Coaching / Consulting
If you have a passion for personal finance, becoming a financial coach could be the ideal path for you. As a financial coach, you’ll help others manage their money, set realistic financial goals, and work toward financial freedom — all while enjoying the flexibility to work from home on your own schedule.
Financial coaches assist clients in creating budgets, saving money, reducing debt, and building long-term financial plans. Unlike financial advisors who primarily focus on investments, financial coaches focus on everyday money management and help clients develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take control of their finances.
The best part? You don’t need a formal degree to become a financial coach. You can start right away. However, earning a certification can help you stand out and build trust, giving you a solid foundation for long-term success in this field.
Income Potential: According to the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC), financial coaches earn an average of $200 per hour. This impressive rate makes it one of the best-paying work-from-home opportunities available for stay-at-home moms.
Skills required: Strong knowledge of personal finance, motivational and coaching ability, problem-solving skills, and listening skills.
How to Get Started: I highly recommend checking out the NFEC’s Financial Coaching Training and Certification. It’s one of the most reputable and comprehensive resources for learning how to become a financial coach. I’ve personally completed their program and can confidently say it provides all the tools, training, and guidance you need to launch your financial coaching career and succeed in this profession. They have a free webinar here.
9. Virtual Assisting
Virtual assisting is another high-income skill that allows you to make money from home, (or anywhere!). Busy entrepreneurs hire virtual assistants to relieve them of specific, often recurring, and time-consuming tasks, such as social media management, data entry, appointment-setting, and more. While some virtual assistants specialize in providing administrative assistance, most VAs are now well-rounded and can perform various tasks.
Since virtual assisting is a broad umbrella, you may want to focus on VA services that bring in more income, such as the following:
- Facebook ads
- Email management
- Social media management
- Ghostwriting
- Researching
- Marketing
- Product research for Amazon sellers
- Presentation creation
- Customer support
- Graphic design
Skills required: High level of communication skills (written and oral); tech-savviness; organization and management skills; ability to make decisions, l self-discipline, and the eagerness to keep learning.
Income potential: Income for VAs variesdepending on skills and experience. According to Glassdoor, VAs can make around $10-$40 per hour, although well-paid VAs with more skills make $50-100 per hour!
Learn how to become a VA here.
10. Online or Digital Marketing
We’re living in a world that’s highly reliant on the internet, so it’s no surprise why online marketing is one of the top high-income skills to learn that makes money in 2021 (and beyond). Online marketing is a massive umbrella with several sub-categories under it, such as:
- Content marketing – Using various content such as text, graphics, and videos to stimulate an audience’s interest in a brand and its product and services.
- Email marketing – Using email as a medium to win new customers and connect with existing ones.
- SEO – Using search engine optimization strategies to increase a brand’s traffic and visibility by making content optimized for searches.
- Social media marketing – Using social media as a platform for customer engagement, to increase leads, and drive more sales.
Digital marketing can be highly specialized, such as focusing on Pinterest management or Facebook ads. So, if you want to be successful in this job, you want to learn the basics and foundations of digital marketing, and then specialize in a niche that you enjoy and are more skilled in.
Skills required: Tech-savviness, eagerness to study and learn digital trends, ability to acquire new skills, data analysis skills, and project management skills.
Income potential: Most digital marketers work on a freelance basis, allowing them to juggle one or more clients simultaneously. Digital marketers can make six-digit incomes.
11. Selling Online Courses
If you’re looking for a more passive way to earn income from your knowledge, selling online courses is an excellent option — and it can be incredibly lucrative. Many online experts and educators have made millions simply by teaching what they know.
The key is knowing how to package your knowledge into an online course that people are eager to buy. It doesn’t have to be overly fancy, but it should be clear, well-structured, and valuable enough for buyers to feel they’re getting more than their money’s worth.
Personally, I’ve spent anywhere from just a few dollars to over a thousand on a single course — so believe me when I say that if you have valuable knowledge, people will pay for it!
For example, you could teach in-demand skills like search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, or graphic design. There are also courses on cooking, investing in the stock market, learning new languages, and even playing musical instruments. The possibilities are endless!
You can easily create and sell your courses through platforms like Teachable, ThriveCart, and ClickFunnels.
Skills required: Expertise in your chosen topic, solid writing and teaching abilities, and importantly — marketing skills. Creating your course is only part of the equation; learning how to market and sell it effectively is what will truly drive success.
Income potential: Earnings can vary widely based on your niche and demand. However, with the right course and marketing strategy, it’s absolutely possible to make five- to six-figure incomes per month from one or more online courses.
12. Software Development
Software developers are among the highest-earning workers today with an average salary of $92,560 per year. This is expected to rise by nearly 30 percent over the next five years.
Software development involves designing and coding software for application development.
Some of the industries that will actively seek out candidates with these skills include finance, insurance, retail, manufacturing, telecommunications, and entertainment.
Required skills: .NET, C# Programming Language, SQL, JavaScript, and more.
Software development skills can be learned at school or in training programs.
Income potential: According to Payscale, the average base salary of software developers is $73,201 but lead software engineers make over $120,000.
13. Web Design
Web design is another one of the high-income skills that are in demand these days.
A web designer is a person who designs and builds websites. This person will create the visual layout, color, and text of a website. They are responsible for its aesthetic appeal as well as how easy it is to use.
Some web designers also help maintain the website for their customers after it is completed.
Required skills: A web designer must be familiar with HTML coding and must also know their way around Photoshop or another graphics program.
Fortunately, you don’t need to go to college to learn web design. You can learn web design online or through special training programs.
Income potential: The good thing about web design is that it is scalable. You can handle multiple clients and make a really good business from it.
However, if you work for companies, the average base salary for web designers is $52,296 and the average base salary for senior web designers is $72,679.
Final Thoughts
Learning these skills could be your golden ticket to the life you’ve always wanted. This list of high-income skills is in demand, not just right now, but also for the foreseeable future.
Fortunately, you can learn most of these high-income skills. The internet has a slew of resources you can take advantage of, from YouTube videos to free and paid training and classes. You may also get a mentor to give you practical tips for honing your craft.
What high-income skills do you wish to learn? Let’s connect in the comments.
