Six Sigma Certification Salary in 2023: Yellow, Green, and Black Belts

Six Sigma Certification Salary for All Belts

Having a Six Sigma certification can open doors for you professionally and personally. Gaining this expertise can offer you an advantage over other applicants during the job search and help you land a higher salary or move forward in your current position. In addition, getting certified can open doors to jobs throughout the world as more companies are starting to use the methodology to boost productivity and reduce errors.

Whether you’re looking to switch careers or advance in your current role, certification as a Six Sigma professional will make you more marketable and open up new opportunities for advancement. Most importantly, certification will help you increase your pay. This article will take a closer look at the salaries of each certification level and discuss why belt levels are important to your salary prospects.

On this page:

• Increase Your Earnings with a Six Sigma Certification
• Salary of Six Sigma Certification Holders
• Why Six Sigma Belt Level Matters
• Conclusion

Increase Your Earnings with a Six Sigma Certification

Six Sigma methods exist to ensure that companies are able to meet their production deadlines and deliver products on time while also reducing the chances of defects and waste. Investing in people with this skill set is crucial because it demonstrates a company’s commitment to quality control.

There is a growing demand for Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma certified professionals, and for a good reason; This methodology can help businesses reduce costs through Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma projects and other techniques. In fact, Six Sigma professionals are so beneficial to companies that, according to Zippia, the employment outlook for Lean Six Sigma Black Belts is expected to rise by 8% from 2018 to 2028.

Salaries for Six Sigma experts will also rise along with the market demand for their services. Employers are prepared to pay competitive wages to recruit and retain these professionals because of the money these professionals can save their organizations.

Salary of Six Sigma Certification Holders

Let’s take a look at the salaries for each certification belt level. It’s important to remember that many criteria, such as level of education, professional certifications, supplementary talents, and years of experience in the field, can significantly impact your salary.

White Belt Salary

According to Payscale, White Belts earn an average salary of $65,000.

Yellow Belt Salary

According to Payscale, Yellow Belts earn an average salary of $71,000.

Green Belt Salary

In 2022, the average salary for a Six Sigma Green Belt in the United States is $110,500, with a range generally including $89,700 to $116,800.

Black Belt Salary

In 2022, the average salary for a Six Sigma Black Belt in the United States is $126,900, with a range spanning from $108,900 to $136,700.

Master Black Belt Salary

In 2022, the average salary for a Six Sigma Master Black Belt in the United States is $163,600. Salaries ranged from $141,300 to $186,700.

Why Six Sigma Belt Level Matters

A Six Sigma professional’s salary is strongly correlated with their belt level, which is a measure of their expertise in the industry. Because each belt represents a particular combination of training and experience, a person’s value to an organization varies depending on their belt level.

For instance, White Belts may have taken a brief introductory class to Six Sigma methods, while Yellow Belt-level professionals have a basic understanding of the fundamentals. Though Green Belts are familiar with statistical analysis, individuals with Black Belts have both that knowledge and practical experience. A Master Black Belt possesses all the knowledge of a Black Belt, plus additional expertise gained via additional training, experience, and projects.

Each belt level qualifies a person to take on different responsibilities within a company:

• White Belts work on minor quality management and waste reduction projects. 
• Yellow Belt professionals are often responsible for directing smaller initiatives and providing assistance to managers with higher belt levels.
• Green Belts help Black Belts manage projects and collect and analyze data.
• Black Belts promote organization-wide improvements, perform statistical analysis, and manage and mentor lower belts.
• Master Black Belts develop strategies, provide vital metrics, provide consultation, and coach Black and Green Belts.

Salary increases coincide with the promotion of belt levels since higher-ranking specialists are more valuable to employers regarding their skillsets and experience.

Conclusion

Whether you want to get certified or simply improve your career prospects, getting certified as a Six Sigma professional is a great way to achieve your career goals. In addition, your skills will be in high demand because businesses are always looking for methods to streamline their operations and cut costs.

As an expert in the field, you will be able to help companies improve productivity and profitability by applying Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma methods. You may find yourself in a leadership position as your skill set develops and you gain experience. With greater experience and higher belt levels come better salary and promotion prospects.