Rediscover passion in retirement with online learning

Even if you’re retired or well into your career, it’s never too late to learn a new skill. And, because you don’t need to go back into a physical classroom to learn those skills anymore (something that can be very anxiety-inducing for some people), taking the leap to study may be much less daunting when you can do it online.

Whether you’re looking for a career change, want to stay relevant at your current job, or are looking for something to do post-retirement, why not try something new? There are so many websites that offer low-cost or even free courses where you can advance your skills on your own time without having to borrow thousands of dollars or change your routine and dedicate yourself to it full-time.

What are the highest-paying jobs in 2024?

If one of the reasons you’re looking to learn a new skill is that you’re interested in a higher-paying job, that’s understandable. Or maybe someone younger than you is asking for advice, and you want to give them some tips on what they can pursue. Perhaps you’re just curious about what the highest-paying jobs are these days. Whatever the reason, it’s good to be current on these questions.

Though year after year, doctors, lawyers, accountants, and electrical engineers are at the top of the list of the highest-paying jobs, that’s not always the most realistic career path for everyone, especially if you’re looking to skill up quickly for a career change or a hobby. In either case, or maybe you’re just curious, here are the most in-demand high-paying roles in 2025, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Indeed, and U.S. News data. Salaries listed are typical median annual pay ranges, not inflated high-end estimates.

Loan Officer: $70K-$75K median (high earners above $130K)
IT Manager: $120K-$165K
Financial Manager: $140K median
Marketing Manager: $135K-$150K
Sales Manager: $130K-$140K
Software Developer: $120K-$135K
Computer Network Architect: $125K median
Actuary: $115K median
Information Security Analyst: $115K-$120K
Scrum Master / Agile Coach: $110K-$120K
Data Scientist: $105K-$120K
Tax Manager: $130K median
Real Estate Analyst: $85K-$95K
HR Manager: $80K-$90K
Virtual Assistant: $50K-$80K depending on specialization
Digital Marketer: $65K-$75K
Life Insurance Agent: $60K-$75K
Freelance Writer: $50K-$70K (varies widely)
Customer Service Representative: $40K-$55K median
Translator/Interpreter: $55K-$65K
Graphic Designer: $55K-$65K
Online Fitness Trainer: $50K-$60K

Do you need an education to do these jobs?

The quick answer? It depends. Many of these roles require at least a bachelor’s degree or certification, while some (like Virtual Assistant, Freelance Writer, Digital Marketer, or Online Fitness Trainer) can be pursued without one if you have skills and experience.

Loan Officers usually need a bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or economics. Mortgage loan officers must also pass licensing exams.
Tech jobs like Data Scientist, Security Analyst, and Software Developer often require degrees, but bootcamps and certifications are sometimes accepted.
Creative fields like writing, design, and marketing allow for more flexible, portfolio-based entry.

Where to take online courses

There are several excellent online platforms where you can continue your education, acquire new skills, and explore various subjects. Here are some of the top online learning platforms:

edEX: Ideal for tech enthusiasts and career-minded individuals seeking courses from top universities on subjects like AI, coding, and data analytics.

Coursera: Perfect for those looking for university-level courses, specializations, and degrees from renowned institutions worldwide, with financial aid options available.

Udacity: Ideal for aspiring programmers and tech enthusiasts seeking hands-on experience and industry connections through Nanodegree programs.

What if I am late in my career or near retirement?

Then, yes, you can take one of these courses (or many of them). Again, the whole purpose of online learning is to make it accessible to everyone. So, even though there may be other students in your cohort who are younger or at a totally different stage of their careers or their lives, don’t let that hold you back.

Learning a new skill, even if you’ve been in your career for decades, can help you stay on top of your game as new tech and trends roll in. If you’re a parent or a grandparent, learning a new skill can help you relate more to your children as they grow and pursue their careers. And, if you’re near retirement or already retired, learning a new skill helps keep the mind sharp and maybe even gives you the education you need to start a new venture.

How to choose the best online course for you

Choosing the best online course depends on several factors. Understand the reputation of the course, the length of time you have to complete it, whether courses are asynchronous or synchronous, your learning styles, budget, etc.

You can look at reviews, talk to students who have taken the course, find out who in your network has attended one of these programs, and ask about their job prospects. Again, it all depends on why you’re taking the course in the first place. If you just want to do it for fun, perhaps you’ll join a course taught by a favorite celebrity on MasterClass.

Consider starting your own business and building your own website

Whether you’re looking for a career change or want to pursue a passion project in retirement, starting your own business can be an exciting and rewarding venture. One of the first steps in establishing your online presence is creating a professional website. Fortunately, modern website builders make this process accessible even for those without technical expertise. When it comes to choosing a website builder, there are several options available. Wix is our #1 choice for its user-friendly interface, extensive template library, and powerful features. It’s an excellent option for beginners and experienced users alike, offering drag-and-drop functionality that makes designing your site a breeze.

However, Wix isn’t the only player in the game. To explore all of our picks and find the best fit for your specific needs, see my picks for best website builders to easily set up your online presence. These tools can help you create a professional-looking website quickly, allowing you to focus on growing your business and reaching your target audience.

Remember, starting a business involves more than just creating a website. You’ll need to consider factors such as your business plan, target market, legal requirements, and marketing strategies. Many online courses and resources are available to help you navigate these aspects of entrepreneurship, so don’t hesitate to continue learning as you embark on this new journey.

Get my picks for best website builders to easily set up

Don’t forget to protect your personal data while learning online

Exploring new online platforms and signing up for courses often means creating more accounts and sharing personal details. That can increase your exposure to data brokers, who collect and sell information like your email, phone number, and even addresses. To stay safe while you focus on learning, consider using a service like Incogni. Incogni automatically sends opt-out requests to data brokers on your behalf and follows up to ensure your information stays removed. It’s one of the easiest ways to cut down on spam, reduce scam risks, and keep your identity more secure as you take advantage of all that online education has to offer.

Incogni, a service I trust 100% and use myself, helps automate the process by submitting removal requests to hundreds of data brokers and people-search sites on your behalf.

Incogni automatically contacts data brokers on your behalf and requests the removal of your personal information. It also continues monitoring those sites and submits new removal requests if your data reappears.

Incogni currently removes personal data from 420+ data broker and people-search websites, and its Unlimited plan allows you to request removals from as many additional sites as you need.
Incogni has also received third-party assurance from Deloitte, validating its marketing claims.
The goal is simple: make it much harder for strangers, scammers, and cybercriminals to find your personal information online.

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The service also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free and see how much of your information is exposed online.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Learning new skills isn’t only for recent high school or college grads. It’s for anyone. Going “back to school” has never been easier with online courses. No matter your age and your intention, there is a course and platform out there for you.

Have you or anyone you know advanced any of your skills using one of the methods above? What about a friend who took an online course as a hobby? What was the experience like? Let us know in the comments below.

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