What Is an Easy Certificate to Get That Pays Well?

Want a certificate that doesn’t take months to earn but still lands you a solid paycheck? You’re not alone. Thousands of people are skipping four-year degrees and going straight for certifications that open doors-fast. And yes, they exist. You don’t need a degree in computer science to earn $70,000 a year. You just need the right credential, the right timing, and a few weeks of focused effort.

Why Certificates Beat Degrees for Fast Pay

Degrees cost tens of thousands and take years. Certificates? Some cost under $500 and take less than 12 weeks. The job market has shifted. Employers now care more about what you can do than where you went to school. A 2024 LinkedIn report showed that 62% of hiring managers in tech and skilled trades prioritize certifications over degrees for entry-level roles. That’s not a trend-it’s the new normal.

Think about it: if you can prove you know how to set up cloud servers, manage cybersecurity alerts, or run Google Ads campaigns, companies don’t care if you have a bachelor’s. They care that you can fix their problems on day one.

Top 5 Easy Certificates That Pay Well

Here are five certifications you can realistically finish in under three months-and that pay $50,000 to $90,000 annually in Australia and the U.S.

1. Google Career Certificates: IT Support

Offered through Coursera, this certificate takes about six months at 10 hours per week, but you can speed through it in 8-10 weeks if you’re focused. It covers troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, and customer service-all skills companies need right now.

Google doesn’t just hand out a PDF. You get access to their hiring partners, including Amazon, Deloitte, and Best Buy. Entry-level IT support roles pay between $55,000 and $75,000 in Australia. In the U.S., they start at $60,000. No prior experience needed. Just a laptop and internet.

2. CompTIA A+

If you want to work with hardware, software, and networks, CompTIA A+ is the gold standard. It’s the most recognized entry-level IT cert in the world. You can study with free YouTube videos and practice labs, then take the two exams (220-1101 and 220-1102) for around $400 total.

Most people pass in 6-10 weeks. The average salary for an IT support specialist with A+ is $62,000 in Australia and $65,000 in the U.S. Many start as help desk techs and move into sysadmin roles within two years.

3. Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

Want to work with numbers but hate math class? This certificate teaches you how to use spreadsheets, SQL, Tableau, and R-all through real-world case studies. It’s designed for beginners. No coding background required.

Complete it in 10 weeks. You’ll build a portfolio of projects you can show employers. Data analyst roles are exploding. In Australia, entry-level analysts earn $65,000-$80,000. In the U.S., it’s $70,000-$90,000. And you don’t need a stats degree. Just curiosity and consistency.

4. HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification

Marketing isn’t just about ads. It’s about attracting customers with content, SEO, and email. HubSpot’s free certification covers all of it in under 10 hours. You’ll learn how to write blog posts that rank, build landing pages, and track leads.

It’s not just free-it’s respected. Companies like Shopify, Canva, and Atlassian hire people with this cert for marketing coordinator roles. Salaries start at $58,000 in Australia and $60,000 in the U.S. Many people land remote jobs with this one.

5. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Cloud computing is everywhere. Amazon Web Services (AWS) runs nearly 40% of the internet. The Cloud Practitioner cert is the easiest way into this field. It’s multiple-choice, no labs, and you can study in 3-4 weeks using free AWS training materials.

Passing it doesn’t make you a cloud engineer-but it does make you the person who understands cloud basics. That’s enough to land roles like cloud support associate or junior cloud analyst. Salaries: $70,000-$85,000 in Australia. In the U.S., $75,000-$90,000.

What Makes These Certificates "Easy"?

"Easy" doesn’t mean easy to pass. It means easy to start. None require:

• A high school diploma (some accept GED or no formal education)
• Prerequisite courses
• Expensive textbooks
• Proctored exams in person

All of them are:

• Self-paced
• Online
• Under $600 total
• Have free or low-cost study resources
• Offer practice tests and labs

You don’t need to be a genius. You just need to show up for 1-2 hours a day, five days a week, for 8-12 weeks. That’s less time than it takes to binge a Netflix series.

What Certificates to Avoid

Not all certs are worth it. Stay away from these:

• "Certified Life Coach" - No industry standard, no employers recognize it.
• "Certified Blockchain Developer" - Too niche, too few jobs, and most require coding experience you don’t have yet.
• "Certified Nutritionist" - Requires a degree in most countries. This one is a scam.
• "Certified Project Manager" - PMP is respected, but it needs 3-5 years of experience. Not for beginners.

If a certification doesn’t have a clear path to a job title like "IT Support Specialist" or "Data Analyst," skip it.

How to Pick the Right One for You

Ask yourself three questions:

1. What do you enjoy doing? Do you like fixing things? Go for IT. Like numbers? Try data analytics. Like writing? Try marketing.
2. What’s your tech comfort level? If you’re scared of computers, start with Google IT Support or HubSpot. If you’re okay with typing commands, go for CompTIA A+ or AWS.
3. Where do you want to work? Remote? Look at Google, HubSpot, or AWS. In an office? CompTIA A+ opens doors to local tech firms.

Don’t chase the highest salary. Chase the one that fits your life. A $65,000 job that lets you work from home is better than a $80,000 job that requires you to be in an office five days a week.

Real People, Real Results

Here’s what’s happening right now:

• A 32-year-old single mom in Brisbane finished the Google IT Support cert in 10 weeks. She now works remotely for a U.S. company, earning $68,000 AUD.
• A 19-year-old in Perth dropped out of college, got CompTIA A+, and landed a $62,000 job at a local hospital’s IT department.
• A former retail worker in Melbourne did the Google Data Analytics cert. Now she’s a junior analyst at a fintech startup. She says, "I didn’t need a degree. I needed to prove I could do the work. This cert did that."

These aren’t outliers. They’re examples of what happens when people stop waiting and start doing.

Next Steps: How to Get Started Today

Here’s your 7-day plan:

1. Day 1: Pick one cert from the list above. Don’t overthink it.
2. Day 2: Go to the official website (Google Career Certificates, CompTIA, AWS, etc.) and enroll. Most offer financial aid if you can’t afford it.
3. Day 3: Set a schedule. 1 hour a day, 5 days a week. Block it in your calendar.
4. Day 4: Download the free study guide or open the first module.
5. Day 5: Join a free Discord or Reddit group for that cert. Ask your first question.
6. Day 6: Do one practice quiz. Don’t worry if you fail. That’s how you learn.
7. Day 7: Tell one person you’re doing this. Accountability works.

You don’t need motivation. You just need to start. The rest follows.

Final Thought: Your Time Is Worth More Than You Think

Every hour you spend watching TV, scrolling, or waiting for "the right time" is an hour you could be building a better future. A certificate isn’t magic. It’s a tool. And the best part? You can get one before your next coffee break.

Start today. Finish in 12 weeks. Get paid for it by next year.