So much of your financial well-being is tied to your Salary and the amount of money you’ll earn over a lifetime. While some of the ways to earn more money are well-known among job seekers, others are options that only a few really think about. However, many options exist if you’re hoping to increase the amount of money you earn each month.

Here are five ideas to get your quest for a higher salary started.

1. Getting More Or A Better Education

This one is directly within your control, and Salary.com names it as one of the most common ways to up your personal bottom line. A degree can influence the amount of money you make on the job. If you are among those who are trying to use this as a stepping stone to higher pay, Salary.com recommends that you highlight your Education in salary Negotiations. Make sure your employer knows about your education, particularly if your level of education exceeds what is required for that particular post.

2. Make New Connections

As important as education can be, U.S. News and World Report also points out that earning more money can be as much a matter of who you know as what you know. Networking in and out of school is a way to meet people in your industry. These connections can later turn into a job change that includes a salary increase. Only about 15% of all positions are filled via the job boards. The rest come from other sources. Make sure you have plenty of sources lined up.

3. Get A Special Certification

USA Today points out that certifications in programs like Microsoft Office can increase your bottom line. The person with these certifications can earn over $60,000 a year. An increase in the types of certification can make your salary go even higher. For example, the difference between a certified Microsoft Office Specialist and a certified Solutions Administrator is almost $15,000 a year. No degrees are required to take these certifications, so you can get started wherever you are.

4. Sprechen Sie Another Language?

The ability to speak another language even if you aren’t an interpreter or a translator can mean more dollars for you at the end of the month. Your earnings potential can go up by two percent by learning a language in general. Adding the ability to speak Spanish can add another one-point-five percent to your salary and German can add almost four percent to your bottom line. This can add up to quite a bit of money over the course of a career.

5. Work A Different Shift

Working the night shift may be exhausting, but it can also be financially rewarding. These shifts often involve working at midnight plus often some lifting heavy items. However, they also include overtime and pay differentials, making them more lucrative than their daytime counterparts.

Final Thoughts About Earning More

If you’re looking to increase your wages, there are several avenues you can take to get there. While increasing your education levels helps, that’s not your only option when it comes to earning more money. These five ways to earn more money tap into language skills, shift differentials, and networking. What’s more, you don’t have to stop at just one. The more of these you implement, the more earning potential you’ll have in the long run.

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