---
title: How the Digital Skills Gap Impacts Middle-Skilled Workers
description: The demand for digital skills is rising in the middle-skills job market.
image: https://learn.credly.com/hubfs/5b193817199c2702615221%20(1).webp
---
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[ Credly Blog ](https://credly-2629051.hs-sites.com/blog) How the Digital Skills Gap Impacts Middle-Skilled Workers
# Positions offering livable wages without requiring a traditional degree now demand advanced digital skills. As the demand for skilled workers rises, digital credentials emerge as key assets for upward mobility and access to highly-skilled jobs.
Jobs that don’t require a traditional four-year college degree, but can still command a livable wage, are now requiring advanced digital skills, including CRM experience, working Salesforce knowledge, and Microsoft Suite expertise.
 Credly
 2 min read
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Jobs that don’t require a traditional four-year college degree, but can still command a livable wage, are now requiring advanced digital skills, such as CRM experience, working Salesforce knowledge, and Microsoft Suite expertise.
An estimated [66% of Americans don’t have a four-year college degree](https://wtop.com/business-finance/2017/04/education-counts-americans-never-smarter/), but proof of digital skills is crucial to breaking into the middle-skills market and earning a higher wage. These digital skills can be obtained through certificate programs, associate's degrees or on-the-job training, in lieu of a traditional four-year degree. Middle-skill jobs that have an emphasis on digital skills usually pay more ([some up to 17% more](https://www.burning-glass.com/wp-content/uploads/co_burning_glass_survey_infographic_0517.v20.pdf)) than traditional middle-skill jobs.
Employers are increasingly demanding that workers without bachelor’s degrees become proficient in digital skills as the economy and workforce shift from labor-intensive roles to customer service and technology-related roles. These jobs include IT administrators, Salesforce administrators, bookkeepers, and HR professionals. Roles not focused on digital skills are often restricted to construction, farming, transportation, and installation/repair jobs, according to a study by [Burning Glass Technologies.](https://www.burning-glass.com/research-project/digital-skills-gap/)
As the talent gap widens--there are 6.6 million open jobs in the U.S. according to the [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm)--more organizations and individuals are looking to continuing education in software like Excel, Photoshop, and Salesforce as a solution. Many workplaces are embracing on-the-job training to engage and upskill workers. Currently, more than 80% of all middle-skill jobs require digital skills to even be considered for roles in customer service, operations, and business management.
As the need for skilled workers grows, [digital credentials become instrumental in enabling upward mobility and access to highly-skilled jobs](https://learn.credly.com/blog/upskilling-and-reskilling-how-to-use-a-data-based-approach-to-improve-engagement-and-retention). Connect with Credly to explore how digital credentials can shape the future of your workforce.
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2629051/8cdf25a5-65a4-44b4-853f-5b9a1b119ff3)
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