Top 10 High-Paying Skills to Learn Online
February 13th, 2024: 10 min
Whether you are a recent graduate stepping into the job market or a seasoned pro trying to stay ahead of the curve, you have probably wondered, ‘What skills are worth investing my time and effort in this year?’ or ‘Can I upskill through online skill courses to fuel my career without compromising my job?’
Well then, you have arrived at the right place!
In the contemporary job market, characterised by fierce competition, there's a consistent rise in the demand for exceptionally skilled professionals. In fact, according to a recent report, there has been a 240% surge in the need for high-skill talent in 2022 alone, further implying the need to strengthen these skills for active professionals in the field!
What if we were to share with you the remarkable story of how Jimmy Wales, the co-founder of Wikipedia, built the world's most renowned platform while pursuing a distance education program? By learning from his journey, you, too, can unlock similar opportunities!
Navigating The Realm of Online Upskilling
Online skill courses are experiencing a rapid surge in popularity, all thanks to their cost-effective, flexible and impactful learning approaches. From high-income technical skills like coding and web design to enhanced project management abilities like communication skills and entrepreneur skills- online platforms now extend skills for all disciplines, encouraging online upskilling at all stages of life.
Besides helping nearly 81% of students improve their grades, online skills are known to offer perks for employed learners as well, enabling them to enhance their performance by 15 to 25%. However, do you know the right skills to learn online for a bright career scope?
Let us take you through ten of the highest-paying skills of this decade you can learn online that are bound to help you navigate a future-proof career with lucrative opportunities!
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
With Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning driving automation and innovation across multiple industries, professionals skilled in these areas are experiencing high demand. The global AI market value currently stands at $100 billion, with the market further expecting to witness a twentyfold growth by the end of 2030, amounting to as much as $2 trillion!
Considering these statistics and the rapid application of AI-ML in our daily lives, such as automated security systems and online ride-sharing services, it is safe to say that AI and ML are here to stay.
Let’s take a look at the job opportunities presented in this field.
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Job Roles |
Average Salary Per Annum |
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AI Engineer |
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Data Scientist |
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Machine Learning Engineer |
Data Science and Analytics
Data science and analytics is a rapidly evolving field where businesses leverage the power of technology to utilise and analyse this data for their decision-making processes. This has resulted in a high demand for skilled candidates who can collect, analyse, and interpret data effectively to optimise all business operations.
With distance courses like online MSc in Data Science or analytics, you can explore lucrative job opportunities under job roles like:
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Job Roles |
Average Salary Per Annum |
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Business Analyst |
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Data Engineer |
Cloud Computing
Cloud services like AWS, Azure and Google Cloud are central to modern IT infrastructure. Businesses harness the power of cloud computing to scale up their operations to meet their consumer base's demands and minimise additional costs. For this reason, some of the top companies worldwide are constantly looking for professionals well-equipped with cloud computing technologies.
As the global market for cloud computing is estimated to hit $1.24 trillion by the end of 2028, let’s take a look at some of the significant cloud computing roles.
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Job Roles |
Average Salary Per Annum |
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Cloud Administrator |
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Cloud Network Engineer |
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Cloud Software Engineer |
Blockchain Technology
From banking and supply chain management to digital currencies and banking, the applications of blockchain technology in this current era are diverse. As businesses continue to utilise blockchain to manage data and transactions, there has been a steady increase in the need for professionals who can develop effective Blockchain solutions.
With the help of online upskilling on Blockchain courses, tech professionals can explore job roles such as:
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Job Roles |
Average Salary Per Annum |
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Blockchain Developer |
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Blockchain Solutions Architect |
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is a must-have skill to possess in today’s digitally aware world. With the recent shift towards online marketing, companies can reach out to a much wider audience base and engage with potential customers via multiple digital marketing channels. According to a recent report, job openings in this field are expected to grow by 10% by the end of the year 2026, reflecting prosperous growth in this lucrative field.
With an online MBA degree in digital marketing, you can explore a diverse range of roles. These include:
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Job Roles |
Average Salary Per Annum |
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Brand Marketing Expert |
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Content Strategist |
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Marketing Analyst |
Healthcare Management
The healthcare sector remains one of the most coveted fields for professionals, continually expanding its horizons with a plethora of opportunities and ever-evolving roles. Equipped with healthcare management skills, individuals position themselves for sustained career advancement in an industry poised to achieve a market valuation of $50 billion by 2025.
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Job Roles |
Average Salary Per Annum |
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Healthcare Administrator |
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Healthcare Consultant |
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Healthcare Informatics Specialist |
Entrepreneurship
Being home to nearly 99,000 DPIIT-recognised startups, India boasts its position as a leading nurturer for diverse startups across the globe. With the nation being at the forefront of such innovation, entrepreneurship, undoubtedly, is one of the most sought-after skills among aspirants hoping to establish a career in this dynamic realm.
While it involves a substantial risk demanding consistent hard work and financial uncertainty, the right sense of entrepreneurship, established through effective online programs, can help adapt and persevere. Courses like an online MBA in Entrepreneurship Management can specifically help to navigate the complexities of this path with the right skills and experience!
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Job Roles |
Average Salary Per Annum |
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Product Manager |
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Sales Director |
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CEO |
Web Development
Web development has been instrumental in bridging the gap between software development and user experience by incorporating the former's technical aspects with the latter's design elements. Following the significant growth in the field of tech, online upskilling with web development skills can offer you exceptional progress in terms of growth and lucrative pay.
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Job Roles |
Average Salary Per Annum |
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Web Designer |
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Web Developer |
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Web Development Project Manager |
Finance
Termed one of the most in-demand skills through the years, finance continues to offer lucrative career opportunities to aspirants aiming to become a part of this dynamic realm. With relevant finance management skills inherited through online programs like an MBA in finance management, learners are open to exploring the evolving landscape of finance with tech integrations.
Here are the most sought-after roles learners can explore with effective finance skills.
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Job Roles |
Average Salary Per Annum |
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Financial Analyst |
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Investment Banker |
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Financial Modelling |
Project Management
Effective project management is crucial for businesses to achieve their goals, complete all projects on time and within budget, and maintain competitiveness. With the increased uncertainty and risks in today’s business environment, companies are looking for candidates who can help identify, assess, and effectively mitigate risks. This is where project managers come into play.
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Job Roles |
Average Salary Per Annum |
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Project Manager |
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Agile Scrum Master |
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Business Analyst |
Summing Up
In order to stay competitive in today’s job market, upskilling in the listed, high-demand areas can be a great opportunity. Whether technical skills, communication skills, or other soft skills, the key is to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations in your preferred domain, which is possible through online upskilling!
With platforms like upGrad Disha, learners get to navigate an extensive catalogue of online degree courses powered by accredited institutes. Along with providing reliable study resources, upGrad Disha emphasises simplifying your journey post-degree completion, helping you enhance your candidature with guidance from industry experts.
Connect with us and set yourself on the never-ending path of success with upGrad Disha!