Hidden Workday Careers That Will Dominate 2025 [Expert Forecast]
The Workday market will grow by 10-14% by 2025. This growth creates amazing opportunities for professionals in this field. The rising demand goes beyond traditional roles and alters the map of workday careers with exciting new specializations.
Professionals now just need niche skill sets, especially when you have expertise in Prism, Accounting Center, and Professional Services Automation. Workday platforms now integrate Generative AI. This integration expands career development paths beyond usual limits and creates fresh opportunities for consultants and end-users.
This expert forecast will reveal hidden Workday careers that will lead the job market. You'll learn everything in building a successful career path and the skills you'll need in this evolving field.
Current State of Workday Careers
The job market for Workday specialists shows remarkable changes in 2024. Job applications jumped 31% while available positions grew by 7% in the first half of the year. This creates fierce competition among candidates.
Growing demand for specialists
The Workday career landscape is changing faster than ever. Companies have become pickier about who they hire. About 72% of them now ask for higher qualifications. Job seekers face tougher competition in a market where 97% of positions are remote.
Companies still struggle to find and keep their best people. About 75% of industries saw their most promising employees leave voluntarily. This issue affects half of all companies that already face talent retention challenges.
Companies are trying new ways to solve these problems. Internal mobility programs work well for 67% of organizations. These programs help employees grow within their current workplace instead of looking elsewhere.
Salary trends and benefits
Workday professionals earn competitive pay packages in all roles. The yearly total compensation averages $207,333. Here's what the core team earns in different roles:
- Technical Program Manager: $325,500
- Corporate Development: $346,800
- Product Design Manager: $330,000
- Marketing: $316,410
Workday's compensation and benefits package gets 4 out of 5 stars from employees. The company provides detailed benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and innovative perks. People who find meaning in their work feel 37% more accomplished, even with heavy workloads.
The future looks bright as companies embrace AI-powered solutions. About 77% plan to use more AI in their hiring process. Right now, companies use AI to:
- Test candidate skills (26%)
- Screen resumes and applications (26%)
- Automate repetitive tasks (24%)
Employers still have the upper hand in the market, but specialists can find great opportunities. About 89% of leaders think AI will improve hiring efficiency. This marks a big change in how companies find and keep talent.
Emerging Workday Specializations
The Workday ecosystem will see three new specializations that are changing how organizations work with enterprise systems by 2025. These roles have emerged because AI integration and data analytics in enterprise systems are becoming more complex.
Workday Prism Analytics expert
Organizations need Prism Analytics experts to get better insights from their data. These specialists need 3 years of hands-on experience with Workday Prism Analytics and deep knowledge of financial systems processes. They combine Workday data with external sources to create detailed operational insights.
AI integration specialist
Workday platforms' AI capabilities have created a new career path. The platform now has more than 40 machine learning use cases in production, and over 2,000 customers use ML capabilities. These specialists:
- Deploy ML models in complex environments
- Build data platforms for analytical solutions
- Add Large Language Models to existing systems
Security and compliance analyst
Security analysts protect Workday implementations. They optimize security settings across Human Capital Management and related modules. Their key tasks include:
- Creating security roles and access controls
- Running security groups and business processes
- Performing regular audits for regulatory compliance
Workday's Agent System of Record launch shows a fundamental change in workforce management. Organizations can now control their digital workforce through automated setup, access controls, and policy enforcement. Security analysts must learn to manage both human and AI workforces with strict access controls and compliance standards.
These roles show how Workday careers keep evolving. Professionals must keep learning new skills. Companies that accept these specializations are pioneering workforce breakthroughs and ready to succeed in an AI-driven business world.
Non-Traditional Entry Points
Starting a career in Workday doesn't need a traditional background anymore. Companies now value different experiences and new paths to success. The numbers tell an interesting story - 71 million U.S. workers learned their skills through alternative routes. About 30 million of these workers already have skills that qualify them for better-paying jobs.
Career switcher opportunities
Companies actively look for professionals from different backgrounds through special programs. To cite an instance, the Associate Consultant programs run twice a year. These welcome people ready to switch careers. The programs provide complete training that turns career changers into full consultants in just 6 months.
Military veterans add unique viewpoints and leadership skills to Workday roles. They can connect with others who made similar career moves through dedicated Military and Veterans Employee Belonging Councils. People coming back after career breaks also find help through mentors and coaches.
Transferable skills that matter
A Workday career needs adaptable skills. The key transferable skills you need include:
- Project management skills to lead implementation projects
- Business process knowledge in different industries
- Strong consulting and relationship-building skills
- Training and presentation expertise
Workday consultants need a mix of technical skills, functional knowledge, and project management abilities. You can use your current skills even without direct Workday experience in:
- Data analysis and project management
- HR processes and employee management
- Financial systems and reporting
- Customer service and communication
Companies now look for candidates based on their skills. This fundamental change creates opportunities for professionals with relevant experience, whatever their educational background. Career switchers should spot gaps in their knowledge and get certifications to boost their job prospects.
Your move to Workday roles can start with chances in your current company or through volunteer projects that use Workday features. You can also build expertise when you join local user groups and connect with industry experts at conferences or webinars.
Building Your Workday Career Path
Your career path in the Workday ecosystem needs strategic planning and ongoing skill development. Companies are rapidly adopting Workday solutions, so professionals must remain competitive by developing their skills systematically.
Essential certifications
The Workday Pro program serves as the life-blood of career advancement and offers specialized certifications in multiple domains. These certifications range from USD 1,500 to USD 2,500 and need yearly renewal to stay valid. The main certification tracks include:
- Human Capital Management (HCM) Core
- Financial Management
- Integrations and Analytics
- Payroll and Benefits Administration
Professionals receive digital badges after completing these certifications. Companies often cover certification costs for their employees because they understand the value these credentials add to their organizations.
Experience requirements
Most entry-level positions need 3-5 years of relevant experience in HR, finance, or information technology. Programs like Opportunity Onramps® now focus on skills rather than traditional experience. Generation Workday®, a one-year professional development initiative, helps newcomers build essential skills through:
- Real-life project experience
- Mentorship from experienced professionals
- Professional development workshops
Career development milestones
Career growth follows a well-laid-out path with specific achievements. Workday's Individual Development Plan (IDP) lets professionals monitor their progress and set measurable goals. The system enables employees to:
- Document accomplishments
- Track skill development
- Plan career transitions
Workday's Growth Plans tool uses generative AI to assess employees' strengths, weaknesses and suggests steps toward career milestones. This technology looks at skills, interests, and performance history to create customized development roadmaps. Professionals with advanced Workday skills earn higher salaries, with senior roles reaching USD 150,000 or more yearly.
Conclusion
Workday careers have reached a turning point. Traditional roles still matter, but exciting new specializations have emerged. Prism Analytics, AI integration, and security compliance create fresh opportunities for growth-minded professionals. The Workday ecosystem attracts talent with competitive compensation packages that average $207,333 per year.
The field welcomes professionals from diverse backgrounds through multiple entry points. Military veterans, returning professionals, and career changers can use their existing skills through specialized programs like Associate Consultant training. On top of that, it offers well-laid-out certification paths that guide skill development and career growth.
Success in Workday careers demands constant learning and flexibility. Professionals need both technical expertise and business knowledge to thrive. Certification costs range from $1,500 to $2,500. Many employers support this investment because they see its value for individual growth and company success.
The Workday market changes faster as we look toward 2025. Professionals who welcome emerging technologies, especially when you have AI integration skills while maintaining core expertise, will lead this transformation. The path to success requires adaptability, relevant certifications, and a solid foundation of technical and soft skills.