The 25 Most-Learned Skills in America
A Data-Driven Report on the Future of Education (2025)
By Wiingy Research Team
Table of Contents
Introduction
Ranked Skills (Summary)
Category Distribution
Methodology
Conclusion
Wiingy Research Team
About Wiingy
Introduction
In today's fast-changing world, Americans are learning new skills faster than ever, driven by career goals, personal growth, and a desire to keep up with technology. From AI and cybersecurity to cooking, music, and languages, people are expanding their abilities across both professional and creative fields.
This report, The 25 Most-Learned Skills in America (2025), highlights the skills Americans are focusing on most. By analyzing search data from 54 subjects across 12 categories, including Technology, Business, Languages, Sports, and Creative Arts — using Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner, we identified clear patterns in what people are learning and why.
To measure true learning demand, the analysis focused on keywords indicating long-term educational commitment, including courses, certifications, degrees, tutoring, and professional credentials. Searches that reflected specific proficiency levels or career-driven goals were prioritized. Meanwhile, informational or curiosity-based queries (e.g., "how to learn"), very low-volume terms under ~50 monthly searches, and broad or ambiguous keywords without clear learning intent were excluded to ensure clean, meaningful, and career-relevant data insights.
The study draws from over 6.7 million monthly searches from Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs, showing strong learning intent across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Technology leads the way, making up 33% of total searches, with high interest in skills like Python, AI, and Data Science. Yet, there's also a growing pursuit of personal and creative skills like piano, swimming, and cooking. Together, these trends show that Americans are not just chasing career growth; they're seeking balance between professional advancement and personal fulfillment in an evolving, skills-driven world.
The 25 Most-Learned Skills in America
After analyzing 54 subjects across 12 categories, including Technology, Business, Languages, Sports, and Creative Arts, the following 25 skills have emerged as the most in-demand in America for 2025.
This analysis, based on search volume data from Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner, highlights the skills that Americans are actively pursuing, reflecting the growing interest in both professional development and personal enrichment.
1. Cooking
Cooking ranks 1st among the 25 most learned skills in America based on search volume data, with a combined 678,530 monthly searches.
The vast majority (95%) are intermediate learners seeking specialized cooking experiences, from specific cuisines to advanced baking techniques and culinary skills.
About 2% are beginners looking to build foundational cooking skills, while 3% are pursuing advanced training through culinary schools and professional chef certifications.
Searches for couples cooking classes and date-night cooking exceed 60,000 per month, proving that cooking is becoming one of America's favorite romantic activities. Meanwhile, cake decorating classes attract over 31,400 monthly searches, more than many professional culinary courses.
2. Project Management
Project Management ranks 2nd in the list with a total of 543,510 monthly searches, reflecting strong appeal across experience levels.
About 2% of searchers are beginners exploring foundational project management concepts, while 63% are intermediate learners enhancing skills with certifications like CAPM, Agile, and Scrum methodologies.
The remaining 35% are experienced professionals pursuing advanced certifications like PMP, master's degrees, or specialized program management credentials.
Americans favor quick, career-boosting certifications over degrees — 135,000 monthly searches for PMP certification vs. just 18,100 for project management degrees, along with 30,000+ searches for Google's PM certificate. Search behavior reveals people are investing in PM skills not for fun, but for higher salaries and faster promotions.
3. Artificial Intelligence
With 461,990 monthly searches, AI ranks 3rd in demand across all learning levels.
About 28% are beginners exploring free courses and certifications, while 58% are intermediate learners pursuing structured courses and industry certifications.
The remaining 14% are advanced professionals seeking master's degrees and AI specializations, reflecting AI's broad appeal to both newcomers and seasoned experts.
Americans want AI superpowers quickly — 50,000/month are searching for fast AI courses instead of long degrees. Big Tech is the new university, with huge demand for Google, Microsoft, and AWS AI certifications. And yes, learning prompts feels like a career upgrade.
4. Accounting
Accounting ranks 4th in search volume, totaling 584,520 monthly searches.
The overwhelming majority (91%) are intermediate learners enhancing skills through certifications in QuickBooks, bookkeeping, and tax preparation, while 7% pursue advanced certifications like CPA and CMA.
Only 2% are beginners exploring foundational accounting courses.
Small businesses are booming — and so is bookkeeping. Searches for terms like "bookkeeping course," "bookkeeping certificate," and anything "online" (degree, certificate, course) now exceed 86,000 searches per month. Americans want financial control without paying accountants for every little thing. Everyone suddenly wants to be their own CFO.
5. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity ranks 5th among top skills with 419,000 monthly searches, showing strong demand for career-focused learning.
Learners are primarily intermediate (70%), pursuing certifications and job-ready skills, while 21% advanced users focus on degrees and specializations, and 9% beginners explore fundamentals.
Overall search behavior reveals a field driven by professional advancement, certification pathways, and specialization toward high-level cybersecurity roles.
Cybersecurity is booming because hackers are leveling up — 49,500 monthly searches for cybersecurity certifications show Americans want digital armor fast. It's also one of the few jobs with job security in the name, with 22,200 searching for online degrees.
6. Swimming
Ranked 6th with a total of 470,990 monthly searches, swimming enjoys widespread popularity. The majority (85%) are intermediate swimmers, refining their technique through private lessons, stroke improvement, and fitness programs.
Around 8% are beginners, focusing on foundational lessons and learning to swim, while 7% are competitive athletes or advanced swimmers working with elite coaches to enhance their performance.
Parents are in safety-mode with 47K+ searches for infant swim lessons, expecting babies to float before they walk — while 60K+ adults finally decide deep water is scarier than taxes. And with summer trips coming, 87K people search for swim lessons so they aren't the only one clinging to a pool noodle on vacation.
7. Python
Python ranks 7th among top skills with 439,520 monthly searches.
Most learners are intermediate (52%) or beginners (42%), focused on building practical, job-ready skills.
Only 6% are advanced users pursuing deeper specialization in areas like AI, full-stack development, and software architecture.
Job pressure is driving a Python panic-learning trend, with 14,000 monthly searches for certifications and 4,000 for bootcamps as layoff survivors try to future-proof at 2 AM. Python has basically become the default first programming language, with 7,000 beginners searching for tutorials every month.
8. AI Tools
AI Tools rank 8th among top skills with 333,140 monthly searches, showing strong interest in practical AI adoption.
Most users are intermediate learners (76%) focused on mastering specific tools and earning certifications, while 13% are beginners exploring fundamentals and 11% are advanced learners pursuing formal specialization.
Overall search behavior highlights a career-driven shift toward applied AI skills like prompt engineering, generative AI, and cloud-based AI platforms.
Layoff anxiety is fueling skill-upgrade season, with 18,000 searches for AI certifications as Americans reskill for safer jobs. People want AI skills they can use, not just study — tools that automate work and boost their value instantly. AI has also become a LinkedIn status symbol, and everyone wants that "I work in AI" badge on their profile.
9. Data Science
Data Science ranks 9th with 314,050 monthly searches, with 9% of learners exploring beginner courses like Google Analytics and Excel.
The majority (71%) are professionals upskilling through certificate programs such as Google and IBM.
About 20% are pursuing advanced degrees for senior roles, showing a strong shift toward certifications for career entry while advanced degrees remain essential for leadership positions.
Data careers feel recession-proof, with 36,000 searches for certification as Americans chase jobs that won't disappear. Every company is now a tech company, driving 25,000 searches for online data science master's programs or data science courses. Data analytics has become a promotion button — the skill that turns employees into decision-makers.
10. Piano
Piano ranks 10th with 255,360 monthly searches, with 65% of learners beginning their musical journey through beginner-friendly lessons and tutorials.
Around 26% are intermediate players advancing into styles like jazz, classical, and blues to improve technique and repertoire.
Only 9% are advanced musicians pursuing mastery or teaching paths, indicating that most learners view piano as a personal growth skill rather than a professional performance career.
Piano confidence is trending, with 164,000 searches for "piano lessons" as people want a skill they can proudly show off. Adults are finally chasing childhood dreams, driving 10,000 searches for piano lessons designed for grown-ups. And TikTok is fueling the hype for online piano lessons, with people eager to play viral songs fast.
11. Java
Java ranks 11th with 272,880 monthly searches, with 45% of learners starting through beginner tutorials and basic programming courses.
The majority (50%) are intermediate learners enrolling in bootcamps and certification programs to gain job-ready skills and credentials.
Around 5% are advanced learners specializing in frameworks like Spring Boot and microservices, reflecting the need for formal training to master complex enterprise systems.
Full-stack skills are a flex now — learning JavaScript for front end and back end makes you the one-person tech team with superpowers. Certifications like Oracle Java are becoming LinkedIn gold stars people proudly show off. Also the "zero to developer" journey is trending like a fitness transformation challenge everyone wants to join.
12. Singing
Singing ranks 12th with 234,510 monthly searches, with 38% of learners exploring beginner-friendly vocal lessons to develop foundational skills like pitch and breathing.
Most users (53%) are intermediate singers seeking private coaching and genre-specific training to improve performance and vocal range.
Only 9% pursue advanced techniques and professional paths such as opera, Broadway, and classical vocal mastery.
Americans are embracing "main character energy," with 64,000 searches for singing lessons because they want to sound as good as they look online. Everyone wants their own "vocal coach moment," with 13,000 searches fueled by celebrity coaching buzz and Zoom singing lessons make creative careers easier than ever to chase.
13. Mathematics
Ranked 13th with 225,180 monthly searches, mathematics attracts learners across all skill levels.
About 3% are beginners seeking foundational support and basic tutoring, while 78% are intermediate learners focused on mastering specific subjects like Algebra, Calculus, and Precalculus through tutoring and courses.
The remaining 19% are advanced learners pursuing degrees or certifications in fields like applied mathematics, statistics, and data science.
Parents won't let math be the villain anymore, driving 54,000 monthly searches for math tutors and lessons as homework stress gets outsourced. And with AI and tech careers booming, even "applied mathematics degrees" are trending.
14. Financial Analysis
Finance ranks 14th in the list with a total of 218,190 monthly searches.
About 4% are beginners learning foundational personal finance and money management skills, while 87% are professionals and students seeking job-ready credentials through certifications in financial analysis, investment banking, CFA preparation, and specialized finance courses.
The remaining 9% are pursuing elite qualifications like MBA in Finance and advanced financial modeling programs.
Finance learning is trending because Americans are done being confused about money, with 13,000+ searches for financial literacy courses as inflation and TikTok gurus create money anxiety. Finance certifications are booming with 16,000 searches as more people chase professional jobs with paychecks that feel like emotional support. And investing feels like a game now, and everyone wants the cheat codes.
15. Spanish
Spanish ranks 15th with 86,320 monthly searches, with 55% of learners starting with beginner lessons to build basic vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Around 35% are intermediate learners focused on conversational fluency and real-world communication through immersive practice.
Only 10% pursue advanced or professional-level Spanish for careers in business, healthcare, translation, or education.
Spanish learning is booming, with 23,000 monthly searches for "Spanish classes near me" as Americans want language skills that boost culture, career, and connection right at home. Bilingual skills now mean bigger paychecks and more opportunities, especially in medical and business fields. Plus, apps make learning Spanish feel like winning streaks, not studying.
16. Photography
With 146,300 monthly searches, photography ranks 16th.
About 7% of learners are beginners, exploring basic photography or smartphone photography courses to discover their interest.
The majority (81%) are intermediate learners, deepening their skills in areas like portrait photography, landscape, food photography, and real estate photography through courses and workshops.
The remaining 12% are pursuing formal education, certifications, and advanced programs to build careers in photojournalism and commercial photography.
Photography is booming with over 28,000 monthly searches for classes as people chase that Instagram-worthy aesthetic. Smartphones made everyone a photographer overnight with 1,600 searches — want pro-quality shots from their pocket. And niche paths like food, wildlife, and drone photography are turning creative hobbies into real careers.
17. Chemistry
Chemistry lands at 17th with 237,010 monthly searches, driven by strong academic and professional interest.
About 1% of learners are beginners seeking introductory tutoring, while 78% are intermediate learners focused on tutoring and courses in specific areas like organic chemistry, biochemistry, and general chemistry.
The largest advanced group (21%) is pursuing degrees, bachelor's, master's, or PhDs, preparing for careers in pharmaceuticals, research, and chemical engineering.
Chemistry has become a hidden career shortcut, with 22,000+ monthly searches for advanced chemistry and biochemistry degrees leading to high-demand jobs in pharma, biotech, energy, and cosmetics. Gen Z even sees skincare science as the next glam career, creating viral products instead of just buying them.
18. French
French ranked 18th has 72,680 monthly searches, with 59% of learners beginning their language journey through beginner-friendly resources to build foundational vocabulary and pronunciation.
Around 34% are intermediate learners focused on conversational skills and immersive practice for travel, work, or cultural engagement.
Only 7% pursue advanced or professional-level fluency, including certification and specialized training for careers in teaching, translation, or international business.
Learning French is becoming a career flex, with 10,000 monthly searches. Travel, luxury brands, and global companies are making French the language of international glow-ups. Also dating apps and travel TikTok have convinced people "Bonjour" makes you 10x more attractive.
19. Basketball
Ranked 19th with 92,020 monthly searches, basketball shows strong training demand.
About 24% of learners are beginners, with youth enrolling in camps and adults joining recreational leagues.
The majority (74%) are intermediate players seeking private training, skills development, and coaching to improve fundamentals like shooting, dribbling, and defense.
Only 2% are coaching professionals or aspiring coaches pursuing certifications and advanced training programs.
Basketball training has gone mainstream, with over 31,000 searches for coaches and training as players of all ages chase pro-level skills, not just weekend pickup energy. And youth programs are booming too.
20. Physics
Ranked 20th with 91,950 monthly searches, physics shows exceptionally strong interest in advanced academic paths.
About 4% of learners are beginners seeking introductory tutoring and foundational support, while 21% are intermediate learners taking courses like AP Physics, mechanics, or electromagnetism.
The majority (75%) are pursuing advanced degrees in fields like astrophysics, quantum physics, medical physics, and engineering physics, aiming for careers in research, technology, and academia.
Physics is becoming a status symbol, with 35,100 monthly searches for master's programs as Americans chase genius-level careers. Space hype is fueling interest too, with astrophysics courses trending thanks to SpaceX, NASA, and TikTok. And quantum computing has made physics employable again — the new Silicon Valley gold rush.
21. Drum
Drums, ranking 21st with 194,280 monthly searches, show significant demand, particularly for private instruction on standard drum kits.
58% of learners start with beginner lessons to develop rhythm, coordination, and basic drumming techniques, while 34% are committed learners seeking paid instruction to refine their skills.
Only 8% are pursuing specialized percussion traditions, highlighting the broad appeal and financial investment in drum education.
Drum learning is booming, with 16,000+ monthly searches for lessons near them and even adults joining the fun. Online lessons and apps are making it easier than ever — 4,200 searches for virtual drum learning prove it. Now anyone with a phone and rhythm can feel like a rockstar.
22. Soccer
Soccer ranks 22nd with 80,740 monthly searches, showing strong demand for training.
About 20% are beginners, with parents enrolling children in youth programs and adults joining for fitness and recreation.
The majority (75%) are focused on intermediate skill development through private lessons, specialized training for club teams, and technique improvement. About 5% are coaches or aspiring coaches pursuing certifications and advanced coaching qualifications.
Soccer training is surging with 20,800 monthly searches as the U.S. gears up for the 2026 World Cup and parents dream of raising the next Pulisic. Even goalkeepers are becoming stars, with 2,000 monthly searches for specialized training. Kids now want gloves over glory shots.
23. Violin
Violin lessons, ranking 23rd with 88,590 monthly searches, with 59% of learners are beginners focusing on fundamentals like bow hold and basic notation.
About 35% are intermediate violinists refining intonation, learning advanced techniques, and joining ensembles or orchestras.
Only 6% are advanced learners pursuing masterclasses and certifications, aiming for professional performance or teaching careers.
Violin learning is booming, with over 23,000 monthly searches for lessons as people want a skill that looks stylish and sophisticated in the real world. Adults are jumping in too, turning "one day" into "day one" with thousands searching for adult violin classes. And thanks to Bridgerton vibes and romantic string music trending online, everyone wants their own elegant violin moment.
24. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO ranks 24th with 59,980 monthly searches, and only 4% of learners are beginners exploring free tutorials to understand basic optimization.
The majority (85%) are intermediate professionals investing in certifications and structured training to build job-ready SEO skills.
About 11% pursue advanced expertise for senior roles, consulting, or technical SEO leadership, showing strong demand for validated credentials in digital marketing.
Everyone wants to rank #1 now, with thousands searching for SEO courses to boost side projects and personal brands. And because SEO drives sales without paying for ads, it's become a must-learn skill.
25. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
With 87,570 monthly searches, SAT test preparation ranks 25th in demand.
About 1% are using basic introductory resources to get started.
The overwhelming majority (99%) are enrolled in structured test prep through group courses, private tutoring services, online prep programs, and intensive bootcamps for score improvement.
There is negligible search volume for advanced-level SAT instruction, as the test itself is standardized.
Online SAT prep is booming, with thousands of searches as students ditch boring books for apps, AI tools, and YouTube strategies. Test prep now feels more like leveling up in a game than a punishment.
Top 25 Skills by Category and Their Distribution
| Category | Number of Skills | Total Volume | % of Top 25 Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | 6 | 2,240,580 | 33.0% |
| Business | 3 | 1,371,660 | 20.2% |
| Hobbies | 2 | 804,580 | 11.8% |
| Music | 4 | 772,740 | 11.4% |
| Sports | 3 | 678,740 | 10.0% |
| Academic Subjects | 3 | 605,580 | 8.9% |
| Languages | 2 | 159,000 | 2.3% |
| Test Prep | 1 | 99,440 | 1.5% |
| Digital Marketing | 1 | 59,980 | 0.9% |
Total Search Volume by Category (in thousands)
1. Technology Skills Lead the Way, Account for 33% of America's Top 25 Most-Learned Skills in 2025
AI, Python, Cybersecurity, Data Science, AI Tools, and Java make up 6 of the 25 top skills, representing 33% of total search volume, reflecting the strong demand for tech literacy. This concentration highlights the growing reliance on technology-driven industries and the increasing need for skilled professionals in emerging tech fields.
2. Business Skills Come in Second, Representing 20.2% of America's Top 25 Most-Learned Skills in 2025
Project Management and Accounting lead this category, contributing to 20.2% of total search volume. These skills are crucial for organizations focused on operational efficiency and financial management, showing that business professionals continue to prioritize certifications and specialized expertise to advance their careers.
3. Hobbies Rank 3rd, Surpassing Academic Subjects, with 11.8% of America's Top 25 Most-Learned Skills in 2025
Surpassing Academic Subjects and Tech, Cooking ranks #1 overall, with Photography at #16, indicating a strong interest in personal enrichment. The popularity of these skills suggests that many people are seeking to cultivate hobbies that offer both practical and creative satisfaction, especially in an era where work-life balance is increasingly valued.
4. Music Secures Strong Appeal with 11.4% of America's Top 25 Most-Learned Skills in 2025
Piano, Singing, Drums, and Violin contribute to 11.4% of total volume. While these music-related skills rank lower on the list, their consistent popularity suggests that music remains an essential form of self-expression and creative outlet, with a loyal but niche audience seeking improvement and enjoyment.
5. Academic Subjects Hold Strong, Capturing 8.9% of America's Top 25 Most-Learned Skills in 2025
Math, Chemistry, and Physics represent 8.9% of the total volume. This indicates that STEM education continues to be a priority, with both students and professionals pursuing these subjects for academic advancement and to align with growing job opportunities in technical and scientific fields. Notably, Physics shows exceptionally high demand for advanced degrees (75% of search volume).
6. Language Learning Contributes 2.3% to America's Top 25 Most-Learned Skills in 2025
Spanish and French are emerging as key languages in America's top 25, accounting for 2.3% of the total volume. With the globalization of private tutoring companies, language learning is becoming an increasingly important field, offering significant growth opportunities.
Methodology
The methodology for this report began with the selection of 54 skills across 12 categories, including technology, business, creative arts, and personal development.
The data used in this report was based on search volume from Google Keyword Planner and Ahrefs, with keywords demonstrating clear learning intent (e.g., "Python classes," "Excel certification," "bootcamp," "workshop," "tutors near me," "instructor," "master's degree," "program") and at least 50 average monthly searches.
Casual queries, branded tools, ambiguous terms, and entertainment-related searches were also filtered out.
The remaining keywords were consolidated into unified skill categories, with search volumes analyzed to determine the most in-demand skills.
The final top 25 skills ranking was determined by averaging the rankings from Ahrefs and Google Keyword Planner, providing a balanced view of the most actively learned skills.
Typical keyword patterns included: "[skill] course" | "[skill] training" | "[skill] classes" | "[skill] certification" | "[skill] bootcamp" | "[skill] program" | "[skill] workshop."
Certain keywords were excluded to maintain relevance and accuracy:
- Self-directed, one-time queries such as "learn [skill]" or "how to [skill]," which indicated casual or single-use searches.
- Branded tools: Proprietary platforms (e.g., "Salesforce training") unless representing a broader learning category.
Conclusion
The data unequivocally shows that Americans are engaged in a two-front war on skill acquisition: professional necessity and personal fulfillment. Technology is the dominant force, accounting for 33% of the top 25 skills, driven by a fear of job obsolescence and the lure of high salaries. Certifications from major tech companies (Google, AWS, Microsoft) are preferred over long degrees for career agility.
However, the overall top skill is Cooking, and with four music skills (Piano, Singing, Drums, Violin) in the top 25, there is a clear and powerful counter-trend toward creative and personal hobbies. This reflects a society looking for balance, self-expression, and mental well-being alongside career advancement.
The high search volumes across all categories confirm a collective belief in upskilling as the primary pathway to success and satisfaction in the coming decade.
Wiingy Research Team
The Wiingy Research Team includes Shifa as the Lead Researcher, along with Sharanya and Vaishali. Together, they focus on data-driven studies that uncover emerging trends and meaningful insights. Their collaborative research plays a key role in guiding Wiingy's innovation and strategy.
Each member brings unique expertise, curiosity, and analytical thinking to the team. Through their work, the team continues to strengthen Wiingy's research foundation and impact.
Their insights drive the development of new initiatives and inform data-backed decisions that shape Wiingy's future. By staying ahead of industry trends, they ensure Wiingy remains a leader in the evolving education landscape.
About Wiingy
Wiingy is a top-rated tutoring marketplace that connects school students, college students, and young adults with over 4,500 expert-vetted tutors for 350+ subjects including coding, math, science, computer science, AP, test-prep, language learning and music. We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality education possible. We vet each tutor meticulously. Our tutors are highly qualified and experienced, and most importantly they are passionate about helping students learn. Students and parents have continuously rated the teaching experience as 4.8/5 and above. In addition to our paid lessons, we also offer a number of free resources, including web tutorials, practice problems, and study guides. We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality education, regardless of their financial situation. Since our inception, we have helped over 20,000 students across 50+ countries reach their learning goals. Find out more at Wiingy.com.