Six Sigma is one of the world’s most popular process management systems. Demand for Six Sigma specialists is rising, as are salaries for professionals certified at its Green Belt level. A Six Sigma Green Belt certification opens doors for opportunities in industries ranging from construction and engineering to healthcare and hospitality.
On top of copious job opportunities, certified professionals can fetch a high Six Sigma Green Belt salary, too.
What Is Six Sigma Green Belt?
Industries of all kinds depend on processes that operate correctly for maximum efficiency. But productivity and customer satisfaction suffer when those processes don’t perform as they should. The Six Sigma process management framework aims to find and resolve issues that affect the performance of processes and the quality of end products.
The Six Sigma methodology is based on five core principles collectively called DMAIC: Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control — principles that can be implemented in virtually any industry to improve outcomes and save money. These principles are often combined with the Lean framework, creating a hybrid called Lean Six Sigma.
Six Sigma training provides new and established workers the skills to implement Six Sigma’s methodology in the workplace. The training series takes its name from the martial arts world. It has multiple levels, including White, Yellow, Green, Black, and Master Black Belt, that provide increasingly in-depth knowledge of the Six Sigma System and its applications.
The Six Sigma Green Belt is the intermediate level of Six Sigma training, and it is the first in the series to offer official certification. Unlike the White and Yellow Belts, which provide a basic grounding in Six Sigma philosophy and processes through a day or so of training, the Green Belt requires a full course of study that typically takes 10 weeks or 40 hours and provides in-depth knowledge of the DMAIC framework and other Six Sigma tools and techniques.
Certification also requires documentation of at least three years of work experience related to the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge, a set of topics that define the minimum standards of understanding Six Sigma principles at the Green Belt level.
Upon completing an online Six Sigma program, students can take a certification exam offered through the course provider or third-party testing service. Green Belt certification has two levels: Standard and Level II. It is an advanced Green Belt certification offered to Standard certificate holders who can demonstrate their participation in a Six Sigma project using the DMAIC framework.
Certified Six Sigma Green Belts are prepared to run Six Sigma projects and manage workplace teams using the DMAIC framework, process maps, and other tools. Green Belts can connect individual projects and overarching organizational goals and support Black Belts to achieve those goals.
Six Sigma Green Belts can take further training and certification to become Black Belts, Six Sigma experts who work with upper management to oversee multiple projects that advance organizational goals. Beyond the Black Belt, Master Black Belts are experts in Six Sigma techniques who play a significant role in organizational administration and strategizing.
Also Read: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Exam Questions and Answers
Six Sigma Green Belt Career Opportunities
A Six Sigma Green Belt certification opens doors to careers in various industries. Green Belt certification can support an individual’s organizational role or be required for process engineering, manufacturing, and operational excellence and improvement. Six Sigma Green Belts can also work as consultants that work closely with organizations to provide analysis, insights, and guidance to improve processes and boost efficiency.
Six Sigma Green Belt holders can find various jobs under the “Quality” heading, such as Quality Assurance Managers, Quality Engineers, and Quality Control Specialists. Many Six Sigma jobs are in manufacturing, construction, and engineering. So Green Belt certification can lead to careers in Process Management, Process Analysis, or Compliance Engineering.
Other Six Sigma Green Belt job titles include:
- Continuous Improvement Specialist
- Operational Excellence Manager
- Project Manager
- IT Project Manager
- Operating System Specialist
- Operations Manager
Six Sigma career opportunities are available in larger cities and manufacturing hubs in the US and worldwide, with new positions emerging as the demand for these process specialists grows.
Average Six Sigma Green Belt Salary by Country and Job Title
Salaries for Six Sigma Green Belt professionals can vary considerably, depending on factors including industry standards, job title, and even location. In general, though, salaries for US Green Belt professionals range from around $70,000 to $120,000 annually. Here’s a look at the typical Six Sigma Green Belt salary in Canada and other countries that frequently hire for this role.
| India | ₹981,000 |
| Canada | CD $79,000 |
| Australia | AU $106,000 |
| United Kingdom | £42,000 |
A typical Six Sigma Green Belt salary in the US can range from as low as $65,000 to $127,000 or more, with salaries averaging $100,000. Here’s a breakdown of average salaries for standard job titles.
| Quality Manager | $91,624 |
| Quality Assurance Engineer | $78,892 |
| Production Supervisor | $60,556 |
| Senior Quality Engineer | $105,152 |
| Continuous Improvement Manager | $115,796 |
| Process Engineer | $84,136 |
Also Read: Six Sigma Black Belt Salaries: Everything You Need to Know!
Top Companies Hiring Six Sigma Green Belt Experts
Companies of all sizes and specializations hire Six Sigma Green Belt professionals, and that includes some of the world’s best-known brands, such as:
- Dell
- General Electric
- Boeing Company
- Motorola
- Maersk A/S
- Atos
- Ford
Why Do Organizations Look for Six Sigma Green Belt Professionals Today?
In every industry, poor quality performance impacts a company’s reputation and bottom line. From healthcare groups seeking to reduce patient wait times to a manufacturing company looking to improve production quality, an organization’s survival depends on smoothly functioning processes that deliver the best customer experience.
Six Sigma Green Belt professionals bring industry expertise and knowledge of a world-class process management system. A Green Belt certification attests that an individual can apply the Six Sigma framework in projects designed to evaluate processes, identify issues, and deliver solutions. Green Belt-certified professionals can help organizations save money, use resources intelligently, and improve processes for positive outcomes. That’s why many companies pay certified professionals a high Six Sigma Green Belt salary.
How to Boost Your Career With Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
Six Sigma Green Belt certification programs are available online from various institutions and training platforms, and these self-paced courses typically take 4–6 weeks to complete. Some programs also include the certification exam, which can be taken separately from another provider. If you have experience in your industry, a Six Sigma Green Belt certification can open doors to new job opportunities or enhance the value of your current role.
The demand for Six Sigma Green Belt professionals is expected to grow by eight percent through 2028, and adding this certification to your resume can boost your career and bank account with a high Six Sigma Green Belt salary. Become Green Belt certified in Lean Six Sigma with our IASCC-accredited Lean Six Sigma course, and take the first steps toward a new career in quality management.
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