Investing in yourself is the best way to increase your earning potential. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current career or transition into a high-paying field, online courses can provide the necessary skills and certifications to help you stand out. In this guide, we’ve compiled the 10 best online courses to help you boost your salary in 2025.
✅Before you start! If you need to see which careers will continue to grow in the future and how much you can see your potential salary increase, use the Career Growth Predictor before you start!
Now, let’s get into the best online courses for making money, growing your career and improving those all-important career prospects:
🏆 1. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (Coursera)
⭐ Rating: 4.9/5
💰 Price: £39/month (Coursera Plus)
📅 Duration: ~6 months (self-paced)
🔹 Skills Gained: SQL, Data Visualization, Spreadsheets, Python Basics
✅ Why It’s Great for Salary Growth:
Data analytics is one of the fastest-growing fields with average salaries ranging from £45,000–£80,000 per year. This Google-backed certificate is beginner-friendly and helps you land high-paying jobs in data science & analytics.
💻 2. Python for Everybody (University of Michigan – Coursera)
⭐ Rating: 4.8/5
💰 Price: Free (with paid certification)
📅 Duration: 3-6 months
🔹 Skills Gained: Python programming, Web Scraping, Data Structures
✅ Why It’s Great for Salary Growth:
Python developers earn an average of £50,000–£100,000 per year. This course by the University of Michigan is one of the best online courses for absolute beginners and provides real-world coding skills employers value.
📊 3. The Complete Financial Analyst Course (Udemy)
⭐ Rating: 4.7/5
💰 Price: £15–£50 (on sale)
📅 Duration: ~20 hours
🔹 Skills Gained: Excel, Financial Modelling, Valuation, Accounting
✅ Why It’s Great for Salary Growth:
Financial analysts earn £50,000+ annually with top professionals making over £100,000. If you want a career in finance, investment banking, or accounting, this excellent online course provides the skills needed for high-paying finance jobs.
🌐 4. The Complete Digital Marketing Course (Udemy)
⭐ Rating: 4.7/5
💰 Price: £15–£100 (on sale)
📅 Duration: 30+ hours
🔹 Skills Gained: SEO, Google Ads, Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing
✅ Why It’s Great for Salary Growth:
Digital marketers can earn £40,000–£90,000 per year. One of the best online courses out there right now, it covers SEO, PPC, content marketing, and more, helping you land high-paying marketing roles or freelance gigs.
🤖 5. AI For Everyone (Andrew Ng – Coursera)
⭐ Rating: 4.8/5
💰 Price: Free (with paid certification)
📅 Duration: ~4 weeks
🔹 Skills Gained: AI Basics, Machine Learning, AI Ethics
✅ Why It’s Great for Salary Growth:
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing industries, and understanding AI concepts can increase your earning potential significantly. AI-related jobs have salaries exceeding £100,000, and this course by AI expert Andrew Ng is best online courses as a starting point.
💾 6. Full Stack Web Development (Harvard CS50 – edX)
⭐ Rating: 4.9/5
💰 Price: Free (paid certificate available)
📅 Duration: ~12 weeks
🔹 Skills Gained: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, React
✅ Why It’s Great for Salary Growth:
Web developers earn £45,000–£100,000+ annually. This comprehensive Harvard course teaches the foundations of full-stack development, preparing you for high-paying tech jobs.
📈 7. Business Analytics Specialization (Wharton – Coursera)
⭐ Rating: 4.7/5
💰 Price: £39/month
📅 Duration: 4–6 months
🔹 Skills Gained: Data-driven decision making, Business Intelligence, Statistics
✅ Why It’s Great for Salary Growth:
Companies are investing heavily in business analytics, and professionals in this field earn £60,000–£120,000 per year. One of Wharton’s best online courses, it provides a solid foundation for analytical roles.
📜 8. Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification Prep (Udemy)
⭐ Rating: 4.8/5
💰 Price: £50–£150
📅 Duration: ~35 hours
🔹 Skills Gained: Project Management, Agile, Risk Assessment
✅ Why It’s Great for Salary Growth:
Project managers earn £60,000–£120,000+ per year, and PMP certification is globally recognized. This course prepares you for the PMP exam, helping you land higher-paying management roles.
💡 9. UX/UI Design Specialization (Google – Coursera)
⭐ Rating: 4.7/5
💰 Price: £39/month
📅 Duration: 4–6 months
🔹 Skills Gained: UX research, Wireframing, Prototyping, Figma
✅ Why It’s Great for Salary Growth:
UX/UI designers are in high demand, earning £50,000–£100,000 per year. This Google-backed course is beginner-friendly and helps you land UX/UI jobs fast.
📚 10. Advanced Excel Skills for Business (Macquarie University – Coursera)
⭐ Rating: 4.7/5
💰 Price: £39/month
📅 Duration: ~6 weeks
🔹 Skills Gained: Excel Formulas, Data Analysis, Financial Modelling
✅ Why It’s Great for Salary Growth:
Excel is one of the most valuable skills in finance, business analysis, and operations management. Mastering advanced Excel functions can help boost your efficiency and earning potential.
🚀 Final Thoughts: Which Course Should You Choose?
- 📊 Want a career in data? → Google Data Analytics or Business Analytics
- 💻 Want to learn programming? → Python for Everybody or Full Stack Web Dev
- 📈 Want a high-paying business job? → Project Management or Advanced Excel
👉 Find the best online courses for your career here
🎯To see which careers will continue to grow in the future and how much you can see your potential salary increase, use the Career Growth Predictor and get started on your improved future now!