15 Best High Income Skills Without Degree To Boost Your Earnings

Last Updated July 11, 2024 by Davina Kelly

Are you looking for high income skills without a degree to increase your income?

In this rapidly evolving job market obtaining a degree is no longer the only gateway to success.

Many opportunities exist for those who have valuable skills, regardless if they have a formal education.

In this post, you are going to learn the best high income skills that don’t require a degree from creative pursuits to jobs that require technical expertise and beyond. 

After reading this post you will have many ideas for high income skills you can learn for free. 

This post is all about high income skills without degree.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we will receive a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Best High Income Skills Without Degree:

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SkillShare is an online learning community that provides educational videos. They have amazing classes on everything from video editing and graphic design to creative writing and more. It’s perfect if you want to learn a new skill to help you increase your income or even start a side hustle.

You can try it out FREE for 30 days by signing up here. You’ll have access to unlimited classes to help you expand your knowledge and make more money.

1. Copywriting

Copywriting is the art of writing persuasive content that drives action. A lot of the content you consume is copywritten but you probably don’t realise it. Content like blog posts, email marketing, newsletters and product descriptions are all copywritten. 

Businesses are constantly in need of copywriters to engage their audience and boost conversions. If you can blend your creativity and strategic thinking, you can make a lot of money as a copywriter and also enjoy the flexibility of freelance work. 

The earning potential is $60, 000 on average, but if you make it your full-time business you can scale and earn six figures. 

How to learn this skill: Through online courses or classes on Skillshare. 

2. Coding

Coding is a high income skill without a degree that is highly sought after in almost every industry. Whether it is app development, web development or software engineering as a coder your skills could land you a high-paying job. 

There is a YouTube creator I follow who went from earning an average income to being a top 5% earner in the UK after learning how to code. Her name is Adama Lorna, check out her channel to learn more about her story. 

How to learn this skill: You can take an online course. Codeacademy is the most popular one, they have a free plan and the paid ones are very affordable. Your return on investment will pay off tenfold. 

3. Sales

Sales is one of the oldest and most important skills in any business. Most people either love it and excel at it or they completely avoid it lol But it is a vital skill that helps to drive revenue and growth for businesses. 

This skill is also one that can be adapted to work in any industry. Whether you work in retail or finance or have an online business sales skills will be required at some point. 

If you combine sales skills with good communication and negotiating skills you will be a great asset for any business. 

You can leverage your sales skills to work in a sales role or offer your services as a freelancer. Most sales jobs work on a commission basis so there is no cap on your earning potential. 

How to learn this skill: The best way to learn sales skills is by learning from others. For example, if you have a corporate job you can learn from your colleagues. You can pay attention to their techniques and ask them questions.

4. SEO

SEO which stands for Search Engine Optimisation is essential for businesses who want to improve their online visibility and attract organic traffic. Many different types of businesses need SEO such as online businesses, blogs, local companies and niche companies. 

For example, this blog post that you are currently reading is written using SEO. By doing this I can ensure that I have a higher chance of my content being shown to the right people. 

As an SEO specialist, your job will be to ensure that content is keyword-optimised and supports broader digital marketing objectives. 

By understanding search algorithms and implementing effective strategies, you can make a lot of money while helping businesses achieve their digital marketing goals. The average salary for an SEO specialist is about $64,000.

How to learn this skill: I recommend taking a course to learn about SEO from someone who is doing what you want to do. For example, if you want to be a blogger, you should take a course from a blogger who has had success. By doing this you will ensure that you know which mistakes to avoid and you can learn the required skills faster. 

5. Graphic Design

In a world where image is everything, graphic designers play an important role in helping brands shape their identities and communicate with their target audience effectively.

According to IBIS World, the global graphic design industry was worth $49.7bn in 2023. That is huge and can’t be ignored! 

If you have a keen eye for design you can find high-paying jobs in areas like branding, web design and advertising. 

You can start graphic design as a side hustle and work on smaller projects while you perfect your skills. Once you have built your confidence and grown your client base you can become a full-time graphic designer and make at least $50,000 a year. 

How to learn this skill: The best way to learn graphic design is through practice. If you create designs consistently over time the quality of your graphics will improve and you will find your unique style. You can take classes on Skillshare and utilise free platforms like Canva to get started. I have no design experience, but I have managed to use this platform to create some decent graphics. 

6. Social Media Marketing

Social media has become a powerful marketing tool for businesses of all sizes. As a social media marketer, you will utilise your marketing skills to promote company offerings, reach new customers, engage with current ones and announce new products or services. 

If you use social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook or LinkedIn, you can utilise your user experience to create engaging content to help businesses grow. 

Social media is an important part of all businesses so there is a high demand for social media marketing skills. The earning potential with this high-income skill is about $60,000.

How to learn this skill: You can learn social media marketing through experience. For example, you can create content and look at the analytics to see which type of content users are engaging with the most. After a while of doing this, you will learn which type of content is the most engaging and double down on it. 

7. Writing

Writing is one of the most popular high income skills you can learn at home for free. As a writer, you can help businesses to communicate effectively and improve their brand’s voice. 

You can use your writing skills to become a journalist, blogger, business writer or even write books and make good money. This high income skill can earn you anywhere from $40,000 – $80,000. Writers are always in demand so there will be no shortage of opportunities, 

How to learn this skill: The best way to learn to write is by practising. For example, if you want to be a blogger you will learn how to write by creating articles. If you write consistently over time your writing skills will improve and you will find your unique writing style. 

 8. Video Editing

If you are like me and consume a lot of content on social media platforms like YouTube you will know that video content is dominant and as a result, video editors are in high demand. 

As a video editor, you can edit a range of content from corporate videos to engaging social media content. A lot of small businesses and brands struggle with creating video content so you can offer your services to fill that gap in the market.

Video editing is one of the best high income skills you can learn for free. If you can master editing software like iMovie, Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premier Pro you will open the doors to many opportunities. 

How to learn this skill: Through practice. You can take classes on Skillshare and put your learnings into action. Or you can look at other videos you like for inspiration and practice using your own content. Platforms like iMovie or Cap Cut have free user options that you can utilise. 

9. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves effectively promoting products or services to a targeted audience. If this is done successfully you will make a commission from the sales. This is a great way to make money online if you already have an audience. A lot of content creators use this high income skill to diversify their income. 

The beauty of affiliate marketing is that it is scalable and flexible and it allows individuals to build a passive income stream. 

Whether you create social media content, blog posts or have a newsletter if you stay up to date on industry trends and pay attention to your audience’s needs you can make a lot of money in the world of online marketing. 

How to learn this skill: You can learn this skill by watching YouTube tutorials or reading blog posts. 

10. Web Design

In this digital era that we live in, businesses rely on user-friendly websites to attract and retain customers. Think about when you use a website. Don’t you love it when the site loads fast and is aesthetically pleasing? 

If you are proficient in using coding languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript you can leverage your skills to command a lot of money by creating visually appealing and functional websites for clients. You can do this by working for a company or offering your services as a freelancer. 

You can also create website templates and sell them to increase your earnings and offer a cheaper alternative for people who want to create a website. 

The design that I currently have on my blog is a web design template which I purchased from Etsy. I am not tech-savvy so this helped me to make my blog look presentable without having to spend money hiring a freelancer. 

How to learn this skill: Through classes on Skillshare. Or you can teach yourself by watching tutorials, reading blog posts and practice.

11. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

When it comes to high income skills without a degree I have to include AI. The field of Artificial Technology is growing rapidly and revolutionising the way we work. I only use AI on a basic level and it has still helped me to save time. 

I know that people have mixed feelings about AI, but in my opinion, if you want to set yourself up for success you should at least try to understand how it works. By acquiring these skills you can position yourself at the forefront of this growing field.

If you have experience in data science and AI development you could land yourself a high-paying job at a leading Tech company. Or you could become an entrepreneur and create your own thing. 

How to learn this skill: Through curiosity and practice. You can start by using free tools like ChatGPT. 

12. Data Analysis

Data analysis is the process of inspecting data to discover useful information to support decision-making. This skill is needed across all industries so data analysts are in high demand. 

By learning how to use data tools like Excel, SQL and Python you can help uncover valuable insights that drive business decisions and improve performance. 

You can leverage your skills to become a data analyst, business analyst or even a finance analyst. I currently work as a finance analyst and analysing data is a big part of my job. I use it to create budgets and forecasts and provide information to my stakeholders.

Even if you are an entrepreneur knowing how to analyse data can help you to understand your business’s performance and make adjustments where necessary. 

How to learn this skill: Watch tutorials and utilise free tools like Excel, SQL, and Python. 

13. Teaching

Learning how to teach is a rewarding skill that does not require a degree. You don’t necessarily have to use your teaching skills to be a teacher in a classroom. 

There are many ways to monetise your teaching skills such as becoming an online tutor, creating courses and offering private personalised lessons. 

If you run a business teaching skills with be important because you will need to train your employees on your processes. 

How to learn this skill: Through practice. 

14. Public Speaking

Public speaking is a valuable high income skill that can open the door to many opportunities such as coaching, consulting, and motivational speaking. 

By honing your public speaking skills you can captivate audiences and deliver your message with confidence.

Whether you work in a corporate job or run your own business, public speaking is an important skill. It will help you deliver presentations effectively and engage with your colleagues or employees. 

How to learn this skill: Through practice. Practice in front of your friends or challenge yourself to contribute at your next work meeting. If you do this often your confidence will improve.

15. Negotiating

Negotiating skills are invaluable in both professional and personal settings. They can help close business deals or resolve conflicts. 

If you can learn to master negotiating you can command a higher salary and also achieve greater success in your career. 

How to learn this skill: I recommend watching tutorials so you can see the techniques used. Then you need to put what you have learned into practice. 

These are the top high income skills without degree. If you want to learn these skills you can take classes on Skillshare. You can sign up FREE for 30 days here and have access to unlimited classes that will help you increase your income.

Best Soft High Income Skills:

Communication

Effective communication is the key to success in any profession. Whether you need to convey ideas, actively listen to colleagues or clients or draft messages, good communication skills are essential. 

Customer Service

Customer service skills are very important in any business. Going above and beyond to meet customer’s needs, resolving issues promptly and providing a personalised experience are all components of delivering great service. 

Leadership

Leadership isn’t defined by a title, it is defined by your ability to inspire and empower others. 

Whether you’re leading a team, or collaborating with colleagues, effective leadership skills are key to fostering a positive work environment, motivating team members, and achieving collective goals.  

Project Management

In today’s fast-paced work environment, the ability to manage projects efficiently is highly valued. 

From setting clear objectives and creating realistic timelines to delegating tasks and mitigating risks, effective project management skills are important for ensuring that initiatives are completed on time and within budget. 

Adaptability

In this era of rapid technological advancement adaptability is a crucial soft high income skill for success. The ability to embrace change, pivot quickly and learn new skills is essential for staying relevant in today’s job market. 

Frequently Asked Questions About High Income Skills Without Degree

What Are High Income Skills?

To put it simply, high income skills are specialised abilities or knowledge that enable individuals to make a lot of money. These skills are usually in high demand across many industries and professions. 

They allow people to excel in their careers and achieve financial success without necessarily having to get a formal degree. If you work on honing these skills you will become a valuable asset in the job market. 

Final Thoughts

The landscape of employment is evolving rapidly and there are endless opportunities for individuals with valuable skills and expertise. 

Whether you are passionate about creative pursuits like copywriting and graphic design or enjoy more technical work like coding and data analysis, there are many paths to success that do not require a degree. 

If you consistently work on your skills, stay up to date with industry trends and leverage online resources, you can unlock a lucrative high income career and create your own path to success. 

Have you found these high income skills without a degree helpful? What are some skills you have learned?

This post was all about high income skills without degree.