According to Upwork, having empathy can earn you as much as $179 per hour.

It's a tough job market out there.

The number of applicants per job on LinkedIn increased from 1.5 in 2022 to 2.5 in 2024, indicating a rise in competition, according to the site. Nearly half of Americans, 49%, and 68% of HR professionals say the job search has become more difficult in the past year.

Career coaches have seen an increase in demand on Upwork due to the site's 2025's Most In-Demand Skills report, which lists fast-growing skills. According to career coach Phoebe Gavin, people are recognizing the benefits of working with an expert to achieve better results faster in their career trajectory.

To become a career coach and explore the fast-growing gig, here's what you need to know about the requirements and potential earnings.

'You have to have had some experience in the workforce'

To excel as a career coach, two essential elements are necessary.

Julie Bauke, founder of career planning company The Bauke Group, emphasizes the importance of understanding the hiring process and possessing empathy and the ability to connect with clients.

Bauke suggests obtaining a certification from an organization such as the International Coaching Federation to learn how to effectively communicate and extract information from individuals.

To be considered for a leadership position, you must have experience in the workforce, preferably in hiring and managing people. This experience can be gained through working in human resources or recruitment specifically, or through serving in a leadership position.

To have credibility, one must be able to combine those two things, as she states.

'Go offer yourself as a speaker'

You can find clients by listing your services on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn, as well as by attending local gatherings.

Bauke suggests that communities may have groups of unemployed individuals who meet regularly to share tips and ideas. To find clients, one could offer themselves as a speaker or resource at these gatherings. Websites such as Facebook and Nextdoor could provide information on such events.

The pay for offering services as a career advisor can differ based on the type of clients and framework, according to Harvard career advisor Gorick Ng, who created the "How To Say It" flashcard series for professional communication.

Career coaches on Upwork charge as much as $179 per hour.

To enhance your AI abilities and increase productivity, enroll in CNBC's online course titled "How to Use AI to Succeed at Work." Skilled instructors will guide you through getting started, practical applications, effective prompt-writing techniques, and common pitfalls to avoid. Register now and use the promo code EARLYBIRD for a 30% discount off $67 ($67 + taxes and fees) through February 11, 2025.

Sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to receive tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.