Reading Time: 13 minutes 23 Certifications That Are Easy To Get If You Want A High Paying Job
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In today’s competitive job landscape, acquiring certifications is a strategic move to boost your career and salary prospects.
Not all certifications require extensive time or financial commitments, and many offer significant returns through better job opportunities and higher pay. Some certifications are easy and lead to high paying jobs.
I also added some rather difficult certifications in Financial Services because the pay is so high after you get them. (If you want to make six figures, pass the Financial Services certifications).
We’ve also created a video at the end of this article about easy to get certifications that lead to high paying jobs.
Here’s a look at 23 easy certifications across diverse fields. These are certifications that pay well. Forward this to who you know it can help.
Table of Contents
1. Google Career Certificates
- Field: IT and Digital Marketing
- Average Salary: Up to $66,000/year
- Certification Time: 3 to 6 months
- Cost: Free to $149
- Details: These certificates cover high-demand fields such as IT support, data analytics, project management, and user experience design. Offered by Google, these programs are designed to prepare you for a range of roles in the tech industry, with no prior experience required.
Related: How to Find A Satisfying Career In 2024
2. AI-Assisted Writer
- Field: Content Creation and Marketing
- Average Salary: $17,000 to $97,000/year
- Certification Time: 2 to 4 weeks
- Cost: Free+
- Details: This certification equips you with skills to leverage AI in content creation, enhancing productivity and creativity. Ideal for writers, marketers, and content creators looking to integrate AI tools into their workflow.
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3. SEO Specialist
- Field: Digital Marketing
- Average Salary: $45,000 to $65,000/year
- Certification Time: 6 hours to 6 months
- Cost: $89 to $1,495
- Details: Master the art of improving website visibility on search engines. This certification covers keyword research, link building, and content optimization, crucial for digital marketers and content strategists.
Related: A Complete SEO Audit Guide: What I’ve Learned Doing SEO Audits
4. Human Resources Certifications
- Field: Human Resources
- Average Salary: $45,000 – $75,000/year
- Certification Time: 3 to 12 months
- Cost: $50 to $2,000
- Details: HR certifications demonstrate expertise in recruitment, employee relations, and benefits administration. They are valuable for anyone looking to advance in HR roles, with various specializations available.
We’ve also created a video on how to get a raise. Check it out to learn effective strategies and tips for negotiating a salary increase.
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5. Project Management Certifications
- Field: Project Management
- Average Salary: $64,000 – $197,000/year
- Certification Time: Usually self-paced, average 3 to 6 months
- Cost: $38 – $600
- Details: Certifications like PMP (Project Management Professional) validate your ability to manage projects efficiently. They cover risk management, stakeholder communication, and resource allocation, essential for roles in IT, construction, healthcare, and more.
In my career, I have worked with many PMPs. A close friend also studied for her PMP. It seemed to be a rather easy test.
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6. Marketing Certifications
- Field: Marketing
- Average Salary: $40,000 – $110,000/year
- Certification Time: Self-paced, average 1 to 6 months
- Cost: Free and up
- Details: From digital marketing to social media strategy, marketing certifications cover various aspects essential for today’s marketers. Platforms like HubSpot Academy offer valuable certifications that are recognized across the industry.
Related: 12 Flexible Jobs That Pay $20 an Hour
7. Data Analytics
- Field: Data Science
- Average Salary: $60,000 – $80,000/year
- Certification Time: 3 to 6 months
- Cost: $100 and up
- Details: Data analytics certifications prepare you to analyze and interpret data to make informed decisions. These are crucial in finance, healthcare, and e-commerce sectors, focusing on tools like Python, R, and SQL.
I managed an Analytics Team that reported to the Chief Risk Officer of one of the largest Financial Services Firms in the US. My team had PhDs, and many degrees, but the skills that stood out the most were Python, R, and SQL.
They could have saved so much in student loans if they had just demonstrated they knew these.
Related: How To Pay For College. Ideas To Fund Education.
8. Penetration Testing
- Field: Cybersecurity
- Average Salary: $95,000 – $130,000/year
- Certification Time: 1 to 6 months
- Cost: $50 and up
- Details: With the increasing importance of cybersecurity, becoming a certified penetration tester can lead to lucrative roles. These certifications cover network security, vulnerability assessment, and ethical hacking.
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9. Business Analytics
- Field: Business Management
- Average Salary: $70,000 – $120,000/year
- Certification Time: 3 to 6 months
- Cost: Free and up
- Details: Specializing in business analytics allows you to use data for strategic decision-making, covering financial, customer, and supply chain analytics. This certification is valuable in retail, finance, and consulting.
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10. Flight Attendant
- Field: Aviation
- Average Salary: $50,500/year
- Certification Time: 3 to 6 weeks
- Cost: $3,500 to $5,000
- Details: For those interested in a career in the skies, flight attendant certifications open the door to the aviation industry. Training includes safety procedures, customer service, and emergency response.
Related: 20 Reasons Gen Z Can’t Get a Job, and Why Companies Won’t Hire Them
11. Personal Trainer
- Field: Fitness
- Average Salary: $43,680/year
- Certification Time: 3 to 6 months
- Cost: $200 to $2,000+
- Details: Personal trainers help clients achieve their health and fitness goals. Certifications from accredited organizations like NSCA or ACSM are highly valued and can significantly enhance your marketability and earning potential in the fitness industry.
We created this video on “18 Side Hustles for College Students (With Pay Estimates!)” to help you explore additional opportunities.
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12. Forklift Operator License
- Field: Warehousing and Logistics
- Average Salary: $33,000 – $52,000/year
- Certification Time: 2 days
- Cost: $50 – $200
- Details: Operating heavy machinery requires skill and safety knowledge. A forklift operator license proves your ability to safely handle these vehicles, essential in warehouses and construction sites.
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13. First Aid Certifications
- Field: Health and Safety
- Average Salary: $27,000 – $60,000/year
- Certification Time: 6 hours
- Cost: $60 and up
- Details: Vital for professionals across all industries, first aid certifications prepare you to respond to health emergencies. This certification is a must-have for educators, coaches, and many other professionals.
14. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Field: Emergency Services
- Average Salary: $30,472/year
- Certification Time: 3 months
- Cost: $1,000 or more
- Details: EMTs provide critical care in emergency situations. This certification involves classroom and practical training, preparing you for a role on the front lines of medical response.
Related: Industries Causing Burnout: Is Yours on the List?
15. Real Estate Broker
- Field: Real Estate
- Average Salary: $71,280/year
- Certification Time: Varies by state
- Cost: Estimated $300 to $1,000
- Details: To operate independently in real estate, a broker’s license is essential. Requirements vary by state but typically include education hours, an exam, and a background check.
Think about the real estate agents you know. Now, do you think this is a hard certification to obtain?
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16. Phlebotomy Technician
- Field: Healthcare
- Average Salary: $41,700/year
- Certification Time: Varies by state
- Cost: $300 and up
- Details: Phlebotomists play a crucial role in healthcare by collecting blood samples. Certification programs, often available at community colleges, prepare you for this vital role with both theoretical knowledge and practical training.
Related: 9 Best Jobs With a Master’s Degree in Nursing
17. Pharmacy Technician
- Field: Healthcare
- Average Salary: $18.81/hour
- Certification Time: Varies by state
- Cost: $500 and up
- Details: As a pharmacy technician, you’ll assist pharmacists in dispensing medications and managing prescriptions. Certification involves completing an accredited program and passing an exam, with requirements varying by state.
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18. Massage Therapist
- Field: Wellness and Healthcare
- Average Salary: $41,420 to $70,000/year
- Certification Time: 750 hours (varies by state)
- Cost: $4,000 and up
- Details: Massage therapists help relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve wellness. Certification requires completing an accredited program and passing a state exam, preparing you for a career in spas, clinics, or private practice.
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19. Makeup Artist
- Field: Beauty and Entertainment
- Average Salary: $38,000 to $157,000/year
- Certification Time: 2 weeks to 8 months
- Cost: $200 to $3,100
- Details: Specializing in enhancing appearances for events, photography, or film, makeup artists require skill and creativity. Certifications can be obtained through beauty schools or workshops, with some programs focusing on special effects makeup.
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20. Chemical Operator
- Field: Manufacturing and Production
- Average Salary: $33,110 to $85,000/year
- Certification Time: 3 to 6 months
- Cost: $1,000 and up
- Details: Chemical operators manage equipment in the production of chemicals. Training programs cover safety procedures, equipment operation, and quality control, essential for working in chemical plants or manufacturing facilities.
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21. Certified IT Technician
- Field: Information Technology
- Average Salary: $52,000/year
- Certification Time: 3 to 6 months
- Cost: $100 to $300
- Details: IT certifications, such as CompTIA A+, prepare you for a variety of roles in IT support and network administration. These certifications are foundational for anyone looking to start a career in IT, covering everything from troubleshooting hardware to managing software applications.
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22. Culinary Arts Certification
- Field: Hospitality and Culinary
- Average Salary: $48,460/year
- Certification Time: 6 months to 2 years
- Cost: Varies widely
- Details: For those passionate about cooking, a culinary arts certification can open doors to careers in restaurants, catering, and food service management. Programs combine practical kitchen skills with knowledge of nutrition, food safety, and menu planning.
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23. Digital Content Creation
- Field: Media and Communication
- Average Salary: $40,000 to $65,000/year
- Certification Time: 1 to 6 months
- Cost: Free to $600
- Details: This certification focuses on creating compelling digital content for websites, social media, and marketing campaigns. Skills covered include video production, graphic design, and content strategy, essential for roles in marketing, advertising, and digital media.
Related: 15 Practical and Useful Tips For Digital Nomads Working Abroad
Challenging Yet Highly Rewarding Financial Certifications
This article is focused on easy-to-obtain certificates. I spent my career in Financial Services.
I want to include some hard-to-get certificates (and a license) in finance because obtaining these leads to very significant pay increases.
The world of finance offers several prestigious certifications that, while rigorous and challenging to obtain, can significantly elevate one’s career and income potential.
Here’s an in-depth look at these Financial Services certifications.
Related: 13 Pieces of Bad Financial Advice That Most People Still Believe (According to A CFA)
Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- Field: Financial Planning
- Difficulty Level: High
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, CFP Board-registered education program, passing the CFP exam, 6,000 hours of professional experience.
- Average Salary Boost: Significant, varies by role and location
- Details: The CFP designation is a mark of excellence in comprehensive financial planning, covering retirement, estate planning, taxes, and investment strategy. Despite the demanding path to certification, the reward is a substantial increase in earning potential and the ability to provide more comprehensive services to clients.
Related: Take Control of Your Money and Reap the Benefits Of Financial Planning
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Field: Investment Management
- Difficulty Level: Very High
- Requirements: Pass three very hard levels of exams, accumulate 4,000 hours of professional experience.
- Average Salary Boost: High, varies widely with opportunities for roles in portfolio management and senior financial analysis.
- Details: Recognized globally, the CFA designation opens doors to careers in investment analysis, portfolio management, and senior financial advisory roles. The rigorous exam process and experience requirement ensure CFAs are among the most sought-after professionals in finance.
I have my CFA. I can tell you from personal experience my salary increased roughly 20% after each exam, before I even received the results. This is because the charter is so credible that my employers were worried at how much more I was worth.
Plus, as I studied for the exams I was clearly making demonstrable leaps in bounds about how much I knew.
If you work or interact with someone in Financial Services, you can tell if someone is a CFA, just by talking to them.
Related: Financial Tips From A Chartered Financial Analyst
Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)
- Field: Alternative Investments
- Difficulty Level: High
- Requirements: Pass two exam levels, have at least one year of professional experience.
- Average Salary Boost: Considerable, especially in specialized asset management roles.
- Details: Specializing in alternative investments, CAIA designees are equipped for careers in hedge funds, real estate, and commodities, commanding higher salaries due to their niche expertise.
Related: Must-Know Investment Property Upgrades, From A Landlord
Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
- Field: Risk Management
- Difficulty Level: High
- Requirements: Pass two exams, related professional experience.
- Average Salary Boost: Significant, especially in strategic risk management positions.
- Details: FRMs play a crucial role in managing financial risks within banks, investment firms, and corporations. This certification leads to roles that are not only well-compensated but also central to the strategic management of financial risks.
This test is HARD. It’s very quantitative.
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General Securities Representative Exam (Series 7)
- Field: Securities and Trading
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to High
- Requirements: Sponsored by a FINRA member firm, pass the Series 7 exam.
- Average Salary Boost: Variable, foundational for advanced securities trading and advising roles.
- Details: Essential for professionals selling securities, the Series 7 is a prerequisite for many roles in finance, serving as a gateway to more specialized certifications and career advancement in the securities industry.
Personally, I found this and other Finra licenses to be easy. I studied a few weeks right after college and passed, and I had no background in Finance.
It always bothered me in my career that financial advisors were considered qualified to pass Series 7. The CFP seemed so much more valuable in giving financial advice to someone.
But Financial Advisors do not get paid to get advice on money, instead they are paid to gather assets.
Conclusion: Easy Certifications To Get
Whether you’re looking to break into a new field or advance in your current career, these 23 certifications offer a pathway to higher salaries and job satisfaction with a manageable investment of time and money.
From tech and digital marketing to healthcare and culinary arts, the right certification can set you apart in the job market and open up new opportunities for professional growth.
We also created this video of 23 certificates that are easy to get, and lead to high paying jobs.
Consider your interests and career goals carefully, and choose a certification that aligns with your aspirations. With dedication and the right training, you can achieve your career objectives and enjoy the rewards of your hard work.
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