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Which Certificate Programs Lead to High Paying Jobs?

3 min read

By Chelsea Dolan

If you’re looking to advance your career in a particular field, enrolling in a certificate program is a great idea. These courses are designed to give you specialized education in developing specific career skills. It’s also an option for people who want to strengthen their existing skill level. Certificate programs are available in all sorts of work fields such as healthcare, skilled trades, business, and more. You can browse through hundreds of certificate programs with a search online.

When choosing a certificate program, it can be helpful to know which one will lead to the highest paying jobs. Search online to learn how much money you can be making after completing different types of certificate programs.

Here are some certificate jobs that will help you land high paying salaries.

Construction and Building Inspector

Median Pay: $61,640 per year

Building inspectors are responsible for determining the structural safety of new, existing, and developing buildings. You’ll have to be familiar with building codes, ordinances, and zoning regulations set in place by the municipality and state.

Obtaining a certificate in this field is a good option for people without on-the-job experience. There are a variety of educational disciplines to consider that can be helpful for this role. Some examples Indeed lists are:

Surgical Technologist

Median Salary: $48,530 per year

By pursuing a career as a surgical technologist, you can work in the medical field without spending countless years in medical school.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a certificate program for surgical technologists can take anywhere from several months to two years to complete. Surgical technologists, also known as operating room technicians, are responsible for:

Web Developer

Median Salary: $77,200 per year

Almost every industry is in need of web developers. These professionals create websites and ensure everything looks and works properly. They discuss with clients the goal of their website in order to determine what colors, graphics, and navigation would work best.

There are plenty of certificate programs to get you started as a web developer. Some certifications include:

Besides education, another important factor in getting hired is your portfolio.

Digital Marketer

Median Salary: $62,425 per year

Digital marketing is a vast field that provides a lot of opportunity. Indeed says this job involves helping companies make money and build their brand through digital advertising and online communications.

There are plenty of certificate programs you can do entirely online. Some topics you might end up learning include:

Massage Therapist

Median Salary: $43,620 per year

Massage therapists help people feel better by relieving pain, reducing stress, and releasing tension built up in muscles. Overall, it’s a low-stress job with good work-life balance. There are various techniques massage therapists use and can train for through certificate programs.

According to U.S. News, most programs offered will require at least 500 hours of training. Some types of treatments you can choose to specialize in are:

Dental Assistant

Median Salary: $41,180 per year

As a dental assistant, you’ll play an important role in the health and care of patients. U.S. News states that this job requires you to perform all types of tasks, ranging from administrative duties to patient care to laboratory functions.

If you plan to become a dental assistant, make sure that you apply to a program accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation. Fortunately, there are around 250 programs offered in the U.S., so finding one close to you shouldn’t be hard.

Discover Certificate Programs Online

Certificate programs can help launch you into a new career. With the right program and education, you can land a high paying job soon after graduating.

Certificate programs are a great option for:

You can search online to find a certificate program that’s right for you. Some things to compare include tuition costs, training requirements, and whether it’s an in-person program. Before applying, make sure to consider how a certificate program can help you to achieve your career goals.

Chelsea Dolan

Contributor