Do you feel a bit stuck in your engineering career? If your answer is yes, you may want to consider advancing your career with a new engineering certification.
This can be easier said than done, but there are things you can do to gain an edge in the workplace. If you want to take your engineering career to the next level, consider some of the best certifications for engineers that we’ve covered below.
Now before we discuss what those might be, let’s start by discussing a few simple ideas for advancing your engineering career if it feels like it’s stuck at a standstill.
3 Tips to Advance Your Engineering Career
Earn a Graduate Degree
Have you ever considered earning an advanced degree? Yes, it costs money, but in reality, a master’s degree is often a great investment for engineering professionals.
Engineers with master’s degrees will have access to more career opportunities, as well as higher salaries. Many companies also require engineers to have at least a graduate degree before they can get hired for certain positions.
Focus on Your Soft Skills
Technical skills are very important in the engineering field. At the same time, so are soft skills such as communication, active listening, and emotional intelligence.
Ideally, companies will want to hire employees who have a decent balance of hard and soft skills. If you want a competitive edge over other applicants, you will need these skills too. Communication skills are also extremely important. Companies want employees who are willing to listen to others and work as a team.
Utilize Your Professional Network
Many engineers do not take the time to build a strong professional network, but a network of professional acquaintances can help you advance your career. You don’t have to be a social butterfly to network, and you can build your list of contacts as you progress through your career.
Try utilizing the following sources if you need help building your network:
- Alumni from your college
- Former college professors
- Former employers and co-workers
- Networking events and gatherings
The internet has also evolved into a great networking tool. Sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook allow individuals to contact companies they may be interested in. If you haven’t already, you may want to consider building a social media profile or portfolio that showcases your engineer certification and talents.
Top Engineering Certifications to Boost Your Career
Let's face it. In today's competitive engineering landscape, having the right credentials can make all the difference between landing your dream job and watching opportunities pass you by.
The best certifications for engineers don't just validate your expertise. They also open doors to higher salaries, leadership roles, and specialized career paths.
Here are the most valuable engineering certifications that can transform your career trajectory:
Professional Engineer (PE) License
As one of the best certifications for engineers, this license demonstrates that you've met rigorous education, experience, and examination requirements set by your state's licensing board.
To obtain your PE license, you'll need:
- A degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program
- Four years of qualifying engineering experience
- Passing scores on both the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and PE exams
- Meeting your state's specific licensing requirements
The PE license is particularly crucial if you plan to offer engineering services directly to the public, work in consulting, or pursue leadership positions. Many government positions and consulting firms specifically require PE licensure, and it can increase your earning potential.
Pro tip: Start preparing for your PE exam while you're still in college. It's much easier when the fundamentals are fresh in your mind.
Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
Engineering projects are becoming increasingly complex, and companies need engineers who can manage both the technical aspects and project deliverables. This engineering certification has become one of the most sought-after credentials for engineers moving into management roles.
Requirements for PMP certification include:
- 35 hours of project management education
- 4,500 hours of project management experience (with a bachelor's degree)
- Passing the PMP examination
Professionals with this engineering certification often transition into project management roles, program management, or technical leadership positions. The combination of engineering expertise and project management skills makes you incredibly valuable to employers across industries.
Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
Quality improvement and process optimization are critical in the field, which makes this one of the most valuable certifications for engineers. A Six Sigma credential demonstrates your ability to lead complex improvement projects and drive operational excellence.
Six Sigma Black Belt holders can:
- Lead cross-functional improvement teams
- Analyze complex data to identify process inefficiencies
- Implement solutions that deliver measurable results
- Train and mentor Green Belt team members
The engineering certification typically requires completing a comprehensive training program and successfully leading improvement projects that deliver quantifiable results. Many manufacturing companies, healthcare organizations, and service industries actively seek engineers with Six Sigma expertise.
Certified Systems Engineering Professional
For engineers working with complex systems, the engineering certification validates your ability to apply systems engineering principles across the entire system lifecycle. This credential is particularly valuable in aerospace, defense, automotive, and technology sectors.
The CSEP certification covers:
- Systems thinking and architecture
- Requirements engineering and management
- System integration and verification
- Risk management and decision analysis
As products become more interconnected and complex, systems engineering skills are increasingly in demand. This is one of the best certifications for engineers because it positions you as an expert in managing technical complexity while ensuring systems meet stakeholder needs.
Additional High-Value Engineering Certifications
Certified Energy Manager: Perfect for engineers focused on energy efficiency and sustainability. With growing emphasis on environmental responsibility, CEM certification opens doors in renewable energy, facility management, and environmental consulting.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect: As engineering organizations migrate to cloud platforms, this engineering certification demonstrates your ability to design scalable, secure cloud solutions. It's particularly valuable for software engineers and those working with IoT systems.
Certified Manufacturing Engineer: Offered by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, this certification validates expertise in manufacturing processes, automation, and production systems.
How Engineering Certifications Impact Your Salary and Career Growth
The numbers don't lie. Engineering certification can significantly boost your earning potential.
According to the Project Management Institute's official 2023 salary survey, professionals holding a PMP certification reported higher median salaries than project management practitioners without one. That’s 33% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed.
The median total income for a PMP Credential holder in the United States was also approximately $122,000. That figure makes this one of the most financially rewarding certifications for engineers transitioning into management roles.
Six Sigma Black Belt certification also delivers measurable salary benefits. According to Payscale, Six Sigma Black Belt Certified professionals earn an average salary of $116,233 per year.
Choosing the Right Engineering Certification for Your Field
Not all engineering certifications are created equally, and the best choice depends on your specific field, career goals, and industry trends. Consider the factors below when selecting your next certification.
- Industry requirements: Some sectors heavily favor specific certifications. Defense contractors often prefer CSEP-certified systems engineers, while manufacturing companies value Six Sigma credentials.
- Career trajectory: If you're interested in management roles, focus on PMP or leadership-oriented certifications. For technical specialization, pursue field-specific credentials like CEM or AWS certifications.
- Market demand: Research job postings in your target market to identify which certifications appear most frequently in requirements or preferred qualifications.
- Preparation time: Consider your current workload and family commitments. Some certifications require extensive study time, while others focus more on documented experience.
Start with foundational certifications like the PE license or PMP, then add specialized credentials as your career progresses. This approach builds a strong credential foundation while allowing you to adapt to changing market demands.
Jumpstart Your Engineering Career
Once you’ve earned one or more of the best certifications for engineers, Nesco Resources may be able to help you find a career that perfectly suits you. We work diligently to find the best positions for our engineering and IT clients, and we are sure we can find one for you.
Contact our company to jumpstart your career today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are certificates worth it in engineering?
Absolutely. Engineering certifications provide measurable returns through higher salaries, increased promotion opportunities, and enhanced job security.
Beyond financial benefits, certifications validate your expertise, demonstrate commitment to professional growth, and open doors to specialized roles and leadership positions. In today's competitive market, certification often distinguishes qualified candidates from the competition.
Which engineering is highest paid in the USA?
Computer engineering consistently ranks as the highest-paid engineering discipline, with average salaries exceeding $121,515 annually. However, compensation varies significantly by location, experience, and specialization. Other high-paying engineering fields include data engineering (especially in tech hubs), aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, and electrical engineering.