Having one of these in-demand tech skills can help boost your pay by nearly $40,000—here’s how

In a world where technology is interwoven into the fabric of our lives, the mastery of digital skills holds the potential to unlock unprecedented professional growth. Imagine, if you will, a single certificate in machine learning that could be the key to elevating your income by a staggering $40,000.

According to a recent study by Gallup and Amazon Web Services (AWS), US workers possessing advanced tech skills earn, on average, a remarkable 49% more than their counterparts without such expertise. The research, which encompassed over 3,000 US workers and 1,170 US employers, suggests an average individual annual gain of $36,552.

As we witness the relentless march of technological progress, the demand for skilled professionals in the digital realm has become "greater than ever," as noted in the report. Emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency, metaverse, and artificial intelligence are permeating industries like finance, manufacturing, and healthcare. With nearly two-thirds of employers stating that these innovations are "highly likely" to become integral to their businesses, the opportunities for those who embrace digital upskilling are vast.

The rewards of developing new digital skills are evident, with a significant proportion of US workers reporting that doing so has led to increased pay (43%), improved efficiency (42%), or promotion (40%). According to the AWS and Gallup report, the following are the top 10 tech skills that employers predict will become standard in the near future:

Topping the list is 5G, the fifth generation of wireless technology, which has revolutionized data transmission across industries since its 2019 debut. Healthcare, for instance, has benefited immensely from expedited large file transfers between medical professionals and hospitals.

Generative AI tools, particularly since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, have gained traction in the workplace, as Jay Shankar, Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition at Amazon Web Services, affirms. "AI is practically everywhere now… and to me, if there's one technical skill you want to learn, that's the area to focus on," she emphasizes.

Highly sought-after roles in these domains, including machine learning engineer and full stack developer, often boast competitive salaries upwards of $100,000 per year. The advent of generative AI tools has also spurred demand for prompt engineers who fine-tune chatbot responses. Despite not requiring an engineering or coding background, these roles can command salaries as high as $335,000.

For those keen on enhancing their generative AI capabilities, a wealth of certification and training courses are available online through institutions such as the University of Michigan, Coursera, and other e-learning platforms. For other sought-after skills like machine learning and data analytics, AWS offers complimentary online courses.

Although there are concerns that advancements in AI and robotics might displace millions of jobs in the coming decade, Shankar insists that these innovations serve to augment human capabilities rather than supplant them entirely. It's enabling us to accomplish things faster, and evolve many roles… But I don't think AI, for example, will ever fully replace humans.