Future-Proof Your Career: Top In-Demand Skills for 2025

Key Takeaways for Career Success

• Technical abilities such as artificial intelligence, coding expertise, and familiarity with cloud computing environments are highly desirable skills to showcase on your resume.
• Sales and marketing represent promising career paths where individuals can often find entry without necessarily holding a formal degree.
• Minova's AI Resume Builder can provide valuable assistance in helping you distinguish yourself from other candidates by identifying relevant skills and keywords to incorporate when tailoring your resume for each specific job application.

In-demand skills are those where the need from employers is greater than the supply of qualified candidates. Possessing these skills gives job seekers a distinct advantage when applying for positions and negotiating compensation. Just as the stock market fluctuates, job demand is subject to changes based on economic trends and perceived value.

For example, while blogging and copywriting were highly valued skills in the past two decades, social media marketing and video production skills have now become the most sought-after capabilities for marketing teams. As AI continues to expand across various industries, skills like prompt engineering and machine learning are emerging as highly desirable assets.

These skills are valuable because they enable companies to maintain efficiency standards and drive innovation. They often have a direct impact on a company's profitability by contributing to product improvements or increasing market visibility. This article will examine some of the most promising in-demand skills and how to effectively highlight them on your resume.

Want to showcase the right skills on your resume? Leverage a resume builder's guidance and skill-matching tools today.

Top 7 Skills in High Demand

While soft skills are becoming increasingly important to employers, the foundation for any new job opening remains technical skills. In many cases, these in-demand skills are the very core of the job itself. For example, a job opening might specifically require coding or cloud computing skills, and these skills would form the basis of the work you would be performing.

Often, combining the right in-demand skills can lead to even higher earning potential. Skill generators can help identify the key skills a company is seeking, and skill managers can assist in grouping skills for repeated use on resumes for similar roles, as well as easily showing or hiding skills as needed.

If you're seeking high-paying skills to acquire to boost your income, consider it a potential new direction for your career path.

AI Skills in Demand

AI has become pervasive across nearly every industry, enhancing existing technologies, adding features to SaaS tools, and introducing entirely new tools and opportunities to the market. Many SaaS companies are now incorporating AI features or capabilities into their core products to streamline tasks and improve efficiency. As a result, there is a growing demand for professionals with the ability to work with AI.

Jobs in AI:

• Cloud Computing Engineer
• Data Modeler
• Machine Learning Engineer
• AI Engineer
• AI Research Assistant
• Prompt Engineer
• AI Consultant

Here are two AI hard skills, along with related job titles:

In-Demand Skill 1: Language Programming

While many aspiring coders believe they need to excel in programming languages like Julia, Python, C++, and Javascript, most companies already have established use cases for SQL and rely on SQL databases to store their data. The ability to efficiently query the specific data you need is highly valuable, making language programming a sought-after skill. Web development skills are also increasingly in demand, especially for those interested in creating and maintaining dynamic websites and applications.

Language Programmer Jobs:

• AI Engineer
• Machine Learning Engineer

Average Language Programmer Salary: Entry-level AI engineers can earn around $118,000 per year, while the average salary for an experienced AI engineer is approximately $156,000 per year.

Most Lucrative Industries for Language Programmers: According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the tech industry hires more AI engineers than any other sector, followed closely by the finance and healthcare industries.

Degree and Skills Required for Language Programming: Most job descriptions for AI engineers specify a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a field such as computer engineering or electrical engineering. Many of these positions also require experience with robots and autonomous systems.

In-Demand Skill 2: Data Modeling and Analytics

Analytics consistently ranks among the top skills on professional networking platforms. Expertise in analytical skills is highly valued, and professionals with "analyst" in their job title can benefit from proficiency in SQL and spreadsheet software, similar to language programming.

While technical expertise and data analysis skills are in high demand, the market for analyst positions is competitive. However, data modeling job postings are abundant on job search platforms. Machine learning is also an important component of data modeling, helping to automate and improve predictions and insights from data.

Data Jobs:

• Data Analyst
• Data Scientist
• Data Engineer
• Data Architect
• Technical Manager
• Business Intelligence Developer

Average Data Modeler Salary: The average salary for a data modeler is around $105,000 per year, with potential for higher earnings through bonuses or commissions (averaging $135,000 per year with bonuses).

Most Lucrative Industries for Data Modelers: Healthcare and pharmaceuticals, finance, and retail are major employers of data modelers, with the financial industry offering the highest salaries.

Degree and Skills Required for Data Modeling: Job listings typically require a Bachelor's degree in data science, computer science, information science, mathematics, or a related field.

Example Data Analyst Qualifications: Some in-demand skills are listed as qualifications in a job description.

IT Skills in Demand

In-Demand Skill 3: Cybersecurity and Cloud Security

Organizations are focused on maintaining efficiency while building their cloud infrastructure to address the increasing prevalence of AI-generated cyberattacks. This makes individuals with cybersecurity skills highly sought-after in the current job market.

Cybersecurity and Cloud Jobs:

• Security Engineer
• Risk Analyst
• Security Architect
• Cybersecurity Consultant
• Cloud Network Security Engineer
• IT Security Analyst
• Cloud Compliance
• Security Officer
• Software Architect

Average Cybersecurity Salary: Salaries in cybersecurity range from $121,000 to $222,000 per year, depending on the specific role and location.

Most Lucrative Industries for Cybersecurity: Financial institutions are prime targets for hackers and cyberattacks, making them major employers of cybersecurity professionals. A persistent shortage of cybersecurity professionals makes this a high-income field with ample opportunities.

Degree and Skills Required for Cybersecurity Professionals: A Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity is generally the minimum requirement. Additional skills in coding, risk management, policy configurations, firewalls, and computer forensics are also crucial. Soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication are essential.

Example Cybersecurity Qualifications: Identify key in-demand cybersecurity skills within a job description's qualifications.

In-Demand Skill 4: Sales

The ability to sell will remain a vital skill. Companies will always need to close deals and drive revenue. There is often a shortage of job seekers in sales, particularly for leadership roles requiring management skills, making it a potentially rewarding career path with lower technical skill requirements. Interpersonal skills are especially important in sales, as building and maintaining client relationships is crucial.

Sales Jobs:

• Sales Representative
• Sales Manager
• Sales Director
• Licensed Sales Professional

Average Salesperson Salary: The average salary for a sales professional in the US is $81,000 per year.

Most Lucrative Industries for Salespeople: The tech industry is a major employer of sales professionals, and one of the highest-paying industries.

Degree and Skills Required for Salespeople: A degree or certificate is not always required for a sales role. Familiarity with sales tools, particularly CRM systems, is often beneficial. However, education can still be valuable, and some industries may require specific degrees.

Marketing Skills in Demand

Marketing is constantly evolving. The rise of generative AI, the decline of third-party cookies, the increasing popularity of podcasting and video marketing, and changes in social media platforms have created a dynamic environment. However, the need for content remains constant. While written content has long been important, the growth of platforms like TikTok has driven a surge in demand for social media marketing and video development skills.

In-Demand Skill 5: Video Editing

There are many video editors already employed, but this does not include self-employed video editors. While some companies have in-house video editors, the freelance market is large and thriving. This is largely due to the rise of marketing teams using platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Digital literacy is essential for video editors, as they need to navigate various software tools and platforms effectively.

Video Editing Jobs:

• Director of Video Production
• Videographer
• Multimedia Production Specialist
• Video Content Creator
• Film Editor

Average Video Editor Salary: The average salary for a video editor in the United States is $65,000, according to the Department of Labor and Statistics.

Most Lucrative Industries for Video Editors: The film and television industries are major employers, but the type of editing differs from that used in agencies or companies. Most video editors outside of film and television work in marketing departments, within healthcare systems, universities, nonprofits, marketing agencies, or companies of all sizes.

Degree and Skills Required for Video Editors: A degree is not always required for video editing positions. Skills can be self-taught, particularly for freelancers. However, experience with specific tools or software may be necessary.

Example Marketing Manager Qualifications: Use in-demand marketing skills from a job description to guide your job application.

In-Demand Skill 6: Social Media

Social media managers are in high demand as companies seek to humanize their brands. They often encourage employees to build their own audiences on social media and have CEOs build their own audiences. Social media managers or content marketing managers are behind these efforts.

With the prevalence of social media, community building is a necessary method of reaching customers, making it a valuable skill. Search engine optimization (SEO) skills are also valuable for social media managers to ensure content reaches a broader audience.

Social Media Jobs:

• Social Media Specialist
• Social Media Strategist
• Community Manager

Average Social Media Specialist Salary: The average salary for a social media specialist in the United States is $56,000 per year, according to salary websites.

Most Lucrative Industries for Social Media Specialists: E-commerce and retail are major employers and spenders on social media advertising. SaaS, travel, and hospitality are also big employers.

Degree and Skills Required for Social Media Specialists: A degree in marketing, communications, journalism, media, or related fields is not always required. Skills can be self-taught, particularly for freelancing. However, larger companies tend to prefer a Bachelor's degree.

Example Social Media Skills for a Resume: A resume Skill section can help you highlight in-demand skills.

Trade Skills in Demand

The labor market has faced declines in job seekers for decades, resulting in significant losses for companies, particularly in manufacturing and construction. As a result, companies have increased salaries, and competition for skilled candidates is at an all-time high. This trend is likely to continue, making it a good time to develop trade skills.

In-Demand Skill 7: Construction

There were many job openings in construction across the United States. Most companies with openings are having difficulty filling them. While the specific skills needed vary, there is a general need for welders, cutters, and solderers. Electricians and heavy equipment operators are also in high demand. Adaptability skills are crucial in construction, as projects can change rapidly and workers need to adjust to new tasks and environments.

Construction Jobs:

• Electrician
• Welder
• Solderer
• Heavy Equipment Operator
• Project Manager
• Construction Laborer

Average Construction Worker Salary: The median salary for a construction laborer is around $40,000 per year.

Most Lucrative Industries for Construction Workers: Real estate development is one of the most profitable niches.

Degree and Skills Required for Construction Workers: A Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture is needed to become a construction manager, executive, or architect. However, education requirements for construction laborers are lower. Trade school diplomas can qualify individuals for many laborer jobs, but most employers prioritize experience.

Future-Proof Your Career with In-Demand Skills

While it's impossible to predict which skills will remain in demand, some skills are likely to stay important. Companies will always need to sell and market their products or services. While the specific marketing skills in demand will vary, marketing will remain a lucrative field. Technical skills like analytics, coding, and cybersecurity are also likely to remain vital, especially as AI advances and industries adapt.

Combining in-demand skills increases job security. It allows you to seek positions in multiple industries and job titles, and provides the skillset to start your own business.

Be sure to list relevant in-demand skills on your resume. A resume builder can help you stay competitive by highlighting your most relevant, in-demand skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most in-demand skill right now?

Leadership, customer service, communication, and project management are among the most in-demand skills.

What can I learn in three months to get a job?

It's difficult to gain highly technical skills in just three months, even with a comprehensive certification course. However, you could learn people skills, active listening, and communication for a sales role. You might also train yourself in content creation or social media to begin freelancing.

What highly-valued skill pays the most?

Positions in tech, cybersecurity, and software development often pay high salaries, especially those working with AI. Enterprise sales can also provide generous commissions and bonuses on top of salaries.