In 2030, power skills will matter more, and pay more, than AI and tech skills
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If you were to jump into a time machine and land on the year 2030, you’d be astounded at how the new workplace would look.
Just imagine, AI is almost fully implemented and integrated across workplaces. Artificial intelligence capabilities unmatched. Humans forced to operate at a strategic level, in leadership, strategy, and analytical roles. Rapid learning and skill building the norm.
And yet, all those realities are happening already today…and 2030 is only 5 years away.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report highlights the core and rising skills demanded by the workforce of the future, in the U.S. and globally.
If you want your career to thrive, to remain competitive and in demand, and you want a career that is future-proofed from robots, you’ve got to focus on building the skills that matter.
These skills, based off the report, are focused on strategy, analysis, problem-solving, leadership, and AI fluency. And it’s not enough just to say you have those skills. Certifications matter. Certifications evidence to employers that you’re the real deal, that you’re serious about your career, and about professional development and investing in yourself.
They signal to employers that you’re on board in this new future of work, and that you’ll help them as a business to remain competitive too. Employers thrive on employees who are committed to professional development, because this fuels innovation, creativity, and fresh ideas, and creates a positive work culture.
And if you’re a freelancer, certifications are still beneficial because they help your clients trust you, they give you a reason to justify premium rates, and they help you stay on top of your game as an expert.
10 Certifications That Pay Well In 2025 And Beyond
The career site, Resume Now, analyzed the top skills needed by 2030, and the top certifications that have been proven to boost wages in these areas. They listed:
Skills and wage growth with related certifications
Courtesy, Resume Now
1. AI & Big Data
- Growth by 2030: 90%
- Top Course: SQL for Data Analytics
- Wage Boost: +$6,800
2. Tech Literacy
- Growth by 2030: 69%
- Top Course: Basic Skills & Developmental/Remedial Education
- Wage Boost: +$3,600
3. Resilience & Agility
- Growth by 2030: 68%
- Top Course: The Agile Leader
- Wage Boost: +$1,800
3. Creative Thinking
- Growth by 2030: 68%
- Top Course: Business Innovation
- Wage Boost: +$7,100
4. Leadership & Influence
- Growth by 2030: 65%
- Top Course: Women in Leadership
- Wage Boost: +$3,700
5. Analytical Thinking
- Growth by 2030: 60%
- Top Course: Critical Thinking for Professionals
- Wage Boost: +$4,900
6. Lifelong Learning
- Growth by 2030: 57%
- Top Course: The Growth Mindset
- Wage Boost: +$2,900
7. Empathy & Active Listening
- Growth by 2030: 54%
- Top Course: Emotional Intelligence at Work
- Wage Boost: +$6,000
8. Talent Management
- Growth by 2030: 54%
- Top Course: Integrated Talent Management
- Wage Boost: +$4,800
9. Systems Thinking
- Growth by 2030: 52%
- Top Course: Systems Thinking in Public Health
- Wage Boost: +$2,400
10. Motivation & Self-Awareness
- Growth by 2030: 50%
- Top Course: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Certification
- Wage Boost: +$1,400
When you look at this list, what do you notice immediately?
The first thing I observed when running through Resume Now’s report is that soft skills, now known as power skills, dominate this list of top skills and certifications. Contrary to popular belief, having AI or tech skills isn’t enough to succeed in the future of work. You will still remain stuck in your career unless you commit to working on developing and practicing your power skills–the transferable skills that may not look as sexy, but are actually non-negotiable for career growth and continued success.
And interestingly, when you look at the high-income skills and high-paying certifications listed, the skill with the highest wage premium is not AI. It’s not even tech literacy. It’s creative thinking.
This second observation is crucial because this is where the gold lies. If you can bring unique thought and think outside the box as a problem-solver, independently of AI, you instantly become rare and in-demand, and you’re seen as a go-to thought leader and industry expert.
It’s time to start working on the skills that matter and give equal due attention to power skills. If you want to make more money, future-proof your career, and remain relevant in today’s workforce and the workforce of 2030, make these skills and certifications your top professional priority.
Creative and analytical thinking skills are in high demand by organizations today
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If you enjoyed this article, check out 3 Certifications That Can Pay $100,000+/Year In 2025.
2025-09-07 15:35:00