10 Easy Certifications That Pay Well (+ Template to get it paid for) (2024)

Upgrading your career doesn’t always mean going back to school.

If you’re looking for a promotion or raise, but are short on cash.

The good news is that there are easy certifications that pay well. You can even get them from the comfort of your home.

And if you’re lucky, you might even be able to get your employer to pay for your certification.

Let’s jump in and talk about 10 easy certifications that pay well!

10 Easy Certifications That Pay Well

1. Human Resources Certifications

Human resources management is a great career path if you’re looking for one that offers flexibility in a fast-growing industry.

Human resources offer specialties like learning and development, benefits, and compensation, with jobs in almost every industry.

If you don’t have any relevant experience, an HR certification can be a great way to get your foot in the door.

Getting Started:

There are many human resources certifications that you can choose from.Some of them include the HRCI certification, SHRM certification, and the Professional in Human Resources certification or PHR certification.

Average Salary:

The average annual salary of an HR Specialist in the US is $62,290. It’s $126,230 for an HR Manager.

2. Marketing Certifications

With the rise of social media, digital marketing experience is in demand now more than ever.

Market research analyst jobs are expected to grow by 19% from 2021 to 2031. That’s much faster than the average for all industries.

A marketing certification is a great way to break into the industry.

Getting Started:

There are several marketing certifications that you can choose from.

Some easy certifications that pay well in marketing include Google Marketing certifications, Microsoft Advertising certification, and OMCP Digital Marketing certification.

Average Salary:

The average annual salary of a Marketing Specialist in the US is $65,810. It’s $141,490 for a Marketing Manager.

3. Computer Support Specialist Certification

A computer support specialist helps people fix tech issues with their computers.

Also known as IT support or helpdesk, this job is perfect if you love problem-solving and tech.

It’s also a good path for someone looking to break into tech without higher education.

A computer support specialist certification is a great way to stand out in your job search.

Getting Started:

There are several computer support specialist certifications that you can explore.

Some easy certifications include CompTIA A+ certification, CompTIA Network+, the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and the Cisco Certified Network Associate or CCNA.

Average Salary:

The average annual salary of a computer support specialist in the US is $57,910.

4. Phlebotomist Certification

If you’re not squeamish around blood and love the medical field. Consider becoming a phlebotomist.

A phlebotomist is a medical professional trained to perform blood draws and collect blood for testing or donation. They can also perform blood transfusions.

Phlebotomist jobs are expected to grow by 10% from 2021 to 2031. That’s faster than the average for all occupations.

Getting Started:

To get started, you’ll need to earn a certificate from a phlebotomy program and take a certification exam.

Most phlebotomists are certified by one of 7 certifying agencies. The exam includes 300 questions and a written and practical section.

You’ll need to show your ability to perform the duties of the job, like drawing blood, labeling samples, and sanitizing equipment.

Average Salary:

The average annual salary of a Phlebotomist in the US is $37,380.

5. Project Management Certifications

If you’re looking for a career path that gives you a ton of variety, look no further than project management.

Project management specialists coordinate the details of a project including its timeline, budget, and deliverables.

Project management jobs are expected to grow by 7% between 2021 to 2031.

Getting Started:

When it comes to certifications, there are several offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Two common project management certifications are the Project Management Professional Certification or PMP certification and the CAPM certification.

Average Salary:

The average annual salary of a Project Management Specialist in the US is $94,500.

6. Data Science Certification

Now more than ever, companies are looking for data scientists and data analysts to help them make big decisions.

If you’re good with numbers and have strong analytical skills, data science might be right for you.

Data scientist jobs are expected to grow 36% between 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Getting Started:

Since data science is one of the hottest careers in IT right now, earning a certification can help you stand out in the job market.

Some popular data science certifications include Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), IBM data science professional certificate, and SAS Certified Data Scientist.

Average Salary:

The average annual salary of a Data Scientist in the US is $100,910.

7. Personal Trainer Certification

Becoming a personal trainer is ideal if you want an entrepreneurial career that promotes a healthy lifestyle and helps others.

Personal trainers help their clients get in shape through dieting, meal plans, and fitness programs.

You can work for yourself or at a gym or fitness center.

Getting Started:

Although you can work as a personal trainer without certification.

If you want to market yourself as a certified personal trainer (CPT) and work for the major health clubs, it’s typically required that you pass a personal trainer exam.

Ideally one that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Some reputable personal trainer certification programs that you can choose from include the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) certification.

American Council on Exercise (ACE) certification and the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) certification.

Average Salary:

The average annual salary of a personal trainer in the US is $64,566.

8. UX Certification

If you get annoyed by cluttered websites or apps that aren’t easy to navigate. User experience design or UX design is a career path to consider.

Companies hire UX designers to make their websites or apps user-friendly, enjoyable, and accessible.

Getting Started:

A certification can help you get started in the fast-growing field of user experience (UX) design.

There are several UX design certifications that you can explore like the Google UX Design Certificate.

Average Salary:

The average annual salary of a user experience designer in the US is $96,268.

9. Graphic Design Certification

If you enjoy bringing ideas to life through designs, you may find a career in graphic design rewarding.

Brands hire graphic designers to bring their products and services to life through their websites and logos.

Graphic design certification is a great way to take your creative career to the next level.

Getting Started:

While you don’t technically need a certification to work as a graphic designer, having one can help advance your career.

There are many graphic design certifications including, Adobe Photoshop certification, Adobe Certified Associate (ACA), and Adobe Certified Expert (ACE).

Average Salary:

The average annual salary of a graphic designer in the US is $50,710.

10. Medical Coder Certification

Each time a procedure is performed at a hospital, a code needs to be assigned to that procedure to bill the insurance company for the amount owed.

That’s where a medical coder comes in. Medical coders translate patient records into universal codes required by insurance companies.

If you’re interested in the medical field, this is one to look into. It helps if you understand health records, database management, and medical terminology.

Getting Started:

To get started as a medical coder, you’ll need a high school diploma or the equivalent, and a medical coding certification through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

Medical coder certifications to consider include the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) certification, Certified Coding Associate (CCA), and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) certification.

Average Salary:

The average annual salary of a medical coder in the US is $54,797.