4 Six-Figure Careers Where Soft Skills Outweigh Technical Know-How
Tech is moving fast. Because of this, many believe that greater technical proficiency guarantees a long, prosperous career. This means that businesses would likely prioritize specialized skills when hiring for entry-level roles in a tough market. But here’s the truth: In many teams, soft skills often carry more weight.
While hard skills determine the ability to perform specific tasks, soft skills show how those tasks are met and whether the work moves a department or organization toward its goals. These skills improve day-to-day harmony, lift employee satisfaction, and shape innovation and productivity. Let’s look at a few well-paying professions that place a premium on people skills over technical expertise.
Enterprise Sales
For a long time now, sales teams have been growing by following the same strategy: cold calling, templated emails, demos, and discounts. This approach is not working as well as it once did. Today, being real and connecting with people gives you an edge, and trust matters more than tactics.
The key to success in sales is communication, and listening is the most important skill to have. Focus less on promoting your product and more on hearing the customer out. Show that you are listening by asking questions. Use questions like “What is the one thing you would change about your current setup?” or “What would the perfect solution accomplish for you?” to get to know your potential client better. These get them talking about their problems and their goals.
Buyers need to feel they are getting real value from your product or service. Learn their pain points so you can identify how your product addresses them. Clients care about their problems and how you can help solve them.
These soft skills pay off. With a median starting salary of $183,000 per year for enterprise account executives, this is one of the best jobs where communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills can directly drive earnings.
Project Management
With their industry expertise, project managers keep track of the project’s progress, estimate costs, and set due dates. But even though these skills are useful, it is equally critical for project managers to possess interpersonal skills that inspire and guide their teams.
The ability to collaborate effectively is fundamental for any project manager. Partnering across teams improves productivity and efficiency and adds perspectives that may not be available within your own group. That mix of viewpoints makes projects more imaginative and well-developed.
Alongside collaboration, organization is the soft skill that many project managers find most daunting. Strong organizational abilities help you keep track of all the tasks involved in a project. A common misconception is that someone is either naturally organized or they are not. In practice, this is a talent that can be honed like any other.
Companies value these people-focused skills. The median salary for a project management specialist in the US in 2024 was $100,750, which shows how much employers value good communication and teamwork.
Customer Success
After a business has secured a client or customer, it is easy to believe the hard part is over. In reality, winning the customer is only the first step. Even after closing the deal, companies must demonstrate the value of their offering to the consumer. A customer success manager’s (CSM) vital role in this process is to promote products and services and to build stronger relationships with clients. This line of work relies on soft skills such as relationship building, clear communication, and empathy.
As a CSM, you need to be great at making and keeping strong connections with coworkers and customers. This includes working well with other department heads and prospective clients. Staying in touch with your colleagues helps you get more done in less time. Strong customer relationship management also aids retention with your target audience. Because these people-centered skills reduce churn and keep accounts healthy, companies reward the role well; Glassdoor places customer success manager median annual pay at around $141,000.
Empathy is a core strength for CSMs. When people feel understood, heard, and their thoughts acknowledged, trust builds. That trust helps you anticipate needs and next steps, which serves you well in any professional setting. Showing empathy also signals that you value their perspective and feelings.
Human Resources
People who work in human resources often fill a unique role in the workplace. They oversee employee benefits, facilitate onboarding for new hires, and plan team-building events. It is a rewarding job with room for growth. Since HR touches every part of the business, the strengths you bring are vital for shaping company culture and employee retention.
The role also involves routine yet consequential decisions. When you decide whom to hire, whether to promote someone, or when to end employment, you are affecting people’s lives and careers. Decisions should follow thorough consideration, reflect the organization’s best interests, and be free from cognitive bias. As a result, HR professionals need solid decision-making abilities. Organizations recognize this impact, and compensation reflects it. A stable career in human resource management can earn a median of $140,030 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Beyond decision-making, emotional intelligence is essential, since one of HR’s main jobs is to manage talent and employee relations. A high level of emotional intelligence helps you manage your reactions, empathize with people, and mediate when conflicts arise in the workplace.
In a world where technical knowledge can be obsolete in a matter of years, it is more crucial than ever to have solid soft skills. These careers are proof that people skills drive earnings. Invest in them, and the opportunities in those four roles open up. Rooting for you!
