12 February, 2025
Six Sigma, developed by Bill Smith in 1986, is a framework that aims to eliminate defects in products and services, so that a business or organization is able to deliver the highest quality service. Specifically, Six Sigma attempts to keep outcomes within six standard deviations of the specification limits of a given process or product. This means that, when a Six Sigma process is working effectively, there should be no defects expected in 99.99966% of products or services.
Six Sigma is a powerful opportunity to improve business outcomes. This level of quality control ensures reliability, customer satisfaction, safety and a positive business reputation. And, when Six Sigma is paired with Lean methodologies — which use continuous improvement processes to improve efficiency and minimize waste — businesses can improve their processes and outcomes even more.
The significant positive impact of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) principles is well-documented by various sources, so it’s no surprise that organizations value LSS training in their employees. By gaining expertise in these methodologies, you can help your organization succeed, gain a valuable credential and increase your earning potential.
What Is Six Sigma?
Bill Smith developed Six Sigma while he was working as an engineer at Motorola in the 80s. When he introduced his Six Sigma process to Motorola, the quality improvement was so exceptional that the company won the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which is the nation’s highest honor for performance excellence in quality management. Today, the framework helps businesses across industries approach quality control with a strong framework designed to reduce defects and quality issues.
The Value of Effective Quality Control Methodologies
Many businesses seek to improve their production practices through various means that allow for more reliable and consistent quality. This can have impactful downstream effects on the organization by improving customer success and reputation, while mitigating expenses associated with poor quality control like refunds, recalls and wasted materials. As such, it’s no surprise that credentials such as Six Sigma can help candidates position themselves for future success in management and quality control.
Six Sigma Belt Levels
Professionals interested in Six Sigma training can pursue various levels of expertise, or “belts”. In total, there are five belt levels, which identify the various levels of achievement and certification levels. The belts typically include White, Yellow, Green, Black and the Master Black Belt. At Purdue University, online learners can pursue four distinct courses that combine Lean methodologies with Six Sigma belt training:
- 3-Course Series:
- Bonus: Take the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Refresher if you previously took a Green Belt course and need to brush up on your skills before pursuing a Black Belt!
We’ll be focusing on Green Belt and Black Belt levels in this article, since these two levels are the most common options and are typically the most recognized certifications by employers. We’ll discuss their focuses and learning outcomes, as well as how they might differ in salary potential and career development. We will also cover how these two levels compare to each other, and who the different paths might be best suited for.
Average Salary of Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt Holders
Completing a Lean Six Sigma training program doesn’t guarantee a certain salary or position, as these things can vary widely across industries, sectors, experience level, locations and organizations. However, we can take a look at some of the average earnings of Green and Black Belt holders and explore some potential roles to gain a better understanding of the landscape.
For those seeking a CSSC-accredited certification, the Council for Six Sigma Certification offers some average salary information for different belt levels:
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt average salary: $85,000
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt average salary: $95,000-$110,000
Other sources estimate an even higher average salary for Green Belt and Black Belt holders. Lightcast, a leading labor market data analytics organization, notes that the average annual salary for a Green Belt is $103,000 and the average annual salary for a Black Belt is $119,700.
The average salaries of professionals with these certifications demonstrates that employers recognize the value of Six Sigma and Lean training. Because of this, Lean Six Sigma credentials may allow you to earn a higher salary at a new job, and may even help you negotiate a raise or promotion with your current organization.
Career Paths & Skill Development
Green and Black Belt programs offer varying levels of engagement with the core domains of Lean Six Sigma. In general, the LSS Black Belt is a more advanced certification and job opportunities may be more relevant to advanced or senior-level roles, while the Green Belt is a foundational step that allows professionals to improve processes no matter their role.
You may be more suited to a Green or Black Belt depending on your level of experience or your career trajectory. However, any level of Lean Six Sigma training will be especially helpful to those who aspire to work as product owners, project managers and other leadership positions responsible for the quality of products.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Career Development
For businesses that utilize Six Sigma methodologies, a Green Belt certification can be important in a number of roles. This level of training indicates that professionals are able to lead process or quality improvement projects as part of their full-time jobs. Often, a Green Belt certificate can lead to careers in quality engineering, production supervision and project management.
While the outcome of Lean Six Sigma training will vary between organizations and candidates, Green Belt certification is one of the first steps that quality control and product professionals take toward critical middle-management roles. As they move up the ladder, Green Belt-level professionals may be tasked with making important departmental improvements or adhering a project to Six Sigma methodologies.
Since LSS Green Belts often focus on smaller scale projects, they may be mentored by or work under the supervision of Six Sigma Black Belts, who are often tasked with leading large-scale projects.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Career Development
While Green Belt certification positions individuals for success in middle management and project management roles, Black Belt certification is associated with broad-level strategic decision making and upper-level management.
There are many reasons to pursue a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, including that the Black Belt helps prepare professionals for roles in senior management, where they might make decisions regarding the organization’s most critical production, process or quality improvement projects. Six Sigma Black Belt holders are typically tasked with mentoring and leading Green Belts and making high-impact decisions.
Learn more about Black Belt certification in our article: “Becoming Certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt”
Finding the Right Program for You
If you’re looking for an effective Lean Six Sigma program, there are a few factors to consider so you can select the right program or certification for your needs and career development. Importantly, professionals will gain greater benefits from a program that is accredited by a recognized body, incorporates hands-on experience, provides access to expert faculty and has an exceptional reputation.
Accreditation
While there is no single governing body responsible for Six Sigma accreditation, there are several well-respected organizations that accredit the highest quality certificate programs. The most common bodies include the CSSC (The Council for Six Sigma Certification), ASQ (American Society for Quality) and IASSC (International Association for Six Sigma Certification). Finding a program that is accredited by an organization that you trust may help you narrow down your list of potential program offerings.
Purdue’s Lean Six Sigma certificate programs, for example, are accredited by The Council for Six Sigma Certification.
Hands-On Experience
Another factor you may consider is if the program incorporates hands-on learning experiences. Many fully online courses offer learners the opportunity to work on projects that incorporate practical application, so learners with a wide variety of goals, needs and preferences can find a program that works best for them.
Programs from commercial providers typically won’t provide this beneficial hands-on experience, whereas university-backed Lean Six Sigma programs emphasize it. In order to gain the long-term benefits of Lean Six Sigma training, it is crucial to choose a program that incorporates case studies, real-world projects or simulations.
Faculty Expertise
Programs guided by industry experts are typically superior to short mini courses, and access to faculty can often indicate that a program has long-term value. When pursuing Six Sigma training, it can be helpful to find programs that connect you with faculty who have extensive professional experience and the expertise to effectively share their knowledge with learners. As an added bonus, a faculty-led program gives you the opportunity to network, providing valuable connections with established professionals.
About Purdue’s Online Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Certificate Programs
Purdue University offers comprehensive online Lean Six Sigma (LSS) certificate programs designed for working professionals with varying levels of Lean Six Sigma experience. The online Lean Six Sigma certificate courses prepare professionals to satisfy the immense demand for Lean expertise, skills and certification.
Purdue offers the following courses 100% online:
Learn more about Purdue’s Lean Six Sigma programs by downloading a brochure, or register for a program to level up your career today.
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