The electrical engineering field is an excellent career path with high earning potential. An electrical engineering certification is a great way to supplement your previous education and prove to employers you meet the industry standard for skill and expertise. If you want to become an electrical engineer, then having these certifications will set you on the path to success.
In this article, we discuss the highest paying electrical engineering certifications, the types of certifications for electrical engineering, and the jobs each certification can get you, including modeling and blueprint design, project management, and leadership positions.
What Is a Professional Certification?
Professional certification is proof that you are well versed in your field of expertise, according to previously set and agreed upon professional standards. These standards are set by the industry you will represent and are crucial to being a successful employee.
What’s the Difference Between Certification and a Certificate?
A certificate is proof that you have acquired a certain level of education in a relevant field and have honed specialized skills. Certification is proof that the education you have acquired in the field is of industry and professional standards, recognized by the market you will work in.
Why Is Certification in Electrical Engineering Important?
Certification in any discipline is important because it means your education and experience meet the minimum industry standards required for employment, which will help you meet your career goals if you’re just starting out or promote career advancement for seasoned professionals. Electrical engineering certification shows your future employer that your skills as an electrical engineer meet industry standards.
Best Electrical Engineering Certifications by Salary
| Certification | Provider | Average Salary | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) | INCOSE | $132,000 | $350 |
| Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI | $110,000 | $405-$555 |
| Certified Energy Manager (CEM) | AEE | $89,000 | $400 |
| Certified LabVIEW Developer | National Instrument’s Organizations | $84,000 | $299 |
| Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) certification | Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) | $77,911 | $1700 |
| Software Engineering Master Certification (SEMC) | IEEE Computer Society | $74,000 | $445-$1,200 |
| Engineer In Training Certification (EIT) | NCEES | $71,000 | $175 |
| Autodesk AutoCAD Certified Professional | Autodesk, Inc | $67,000 | $90-$200 |
| Certified Manager Certification (CCM) | ICPM | $61,000 | $850 |
| Electrical Technician Certification | EETC | $61,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
Best Electrical Engineering Certifications to Further Your Career
This certification has you planning projects from scratch and overseeing it through its operational time period. You’ll be looking after a team of professionals that will help you complete the project under your supervision.
Certified Systems Engineering Professional Overview
- Average Salary: $132,000
- Cost: $350
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a related subject
- Valid For: 5 years
- Exam Length: 2 hours
- Best Suited For: Systems engineers with five or more years of experience
Potential Careers With Certified Systems Engineering Professional
This certification helps you learn about people, processes, and the business environment so you can better manage a team of electrical engineers. You will learn processes best suited to being a team leader and to better understand the business environments you’ll encounter.
Project Management Professional Overview
- Average Salary: $110,000
- Cost: $405-$555
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or associate degree
- Valid For: 3 years
- Exam Length: 230 minutes
- Best Suited For: Project managers
Potential Careers With Project Management Professional
This certification prepares you to take charge of any energy consumption and optimizations plan or for any building you are hired to oversee. You will analyze existing consumption data to better suit the needs in the future.
Certified Energy Manager Overview
- Average Salary: $89,000
- Cost: $400
- Requirements: A four-year engineering or architectural degree plus three years of work experience, or a four-year business degree plus five years of related work experience or 10 years of related work experience
- Valid For: 6 years
- Exam Length: 4 hours
- Best Suited For: Energy management
Potential Careers With Certified Energy Manager
Obtaining a Certified LabVIEW Developer certification is useful for project conception and design. You’ll be able to organize the project, develop and design functions that reduce the development time, and manage resources.
Certified LabVIEW Developer Overview
- Average Salary: $84,000
- Cost: $299
- Requirements: Proficiency of latest LabVIEW version
- Valid For: 2 years
- Exam Length: 4 hours
- Best Suited For: Project development
Potential Careers With Certified LabVIEW Developer
Having this certification means you’re well versed in the operation of programmable logic controllers used to run large scale plants in the manufacturing sector. You are equipped to handle the maintenance and monitoring of the programmable logic controllers that the plant is based on.
Programmable Logic Controller Overview
- Average Salary: $77,911
- Cost: $1,700
- Requirements: Basic knowledge of computers
- Valid For: Indefinite
- Exam Length: 90 minutes
- Best Suited For: Electrical engineers
Potential Careers With Programmable Logic Controller
The goal for this certification is to qualify as a team lead while learning how to provide software solutions to the company based on market research and market trends that help the company efficiency and grow.
Software Engineering Master Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $74,000
- Cost: $445-$1,200
- Requirements: A minimum 4 years of college in computer science
- Valid For: 3 years
- Exam Length: 3 hours
- Best Suited For: Engineering majors
Potential Careers With Software Engineering Master Certification
This is a great place to start your career as a professional engineer as it helps you get your foot in the door to higher-paying jobs in the engineering industry. EIT also helps you build up to the final PE Exam that gets you your professional engineering title.
Engineer in Training Overview
- Average Salary: $71,000
- Cost: $175
- Requirements: Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
- Valid For: Indefinite
- Exam Length: 6 hours
- Best Suited For: Professional engineering
Potential Careers With Engineer in Training
Autodesk certification helps you with project startup and makes you a valuable addition to a team. It helps you during the design and planning phase prior to the execution phase, taking a project from concept to completion. This will help the company and team allocate the resources needed for the project to run smoothly.
Autodesk AutoCAD Certified Professional Overview
- Average Salary: $67,000
- Cost: $90-$200
- Requirements: AutoCad experience (roughly 1,200 hours)
- Valid For: 3 years
- Exam Length: 50 minutes
- Best Suited For: Engineers and architects
Potential Careers With Autodesk AutoCAD Certified Professional
This certification qualifies you for a leadership position. It qualifies you to lead a group of people and guide them to the given tasks’ end. This marks you as competent for being a project manager and can land you director positions.
Certified Manager Overview
- Average Salary: $61,000
- Cost: $850
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Valid For: 3 years
- Exam Length: 120 minutes
- Best Suited For: Project managers
Potential Careers With Certified Manager
The certification qualifies you to maintain machinery in plants and factories. You’ll be tasked with overseeing equipment, as well as troubleshooting and maintaining equipment that falls under your jurisdiction after receiving this certification.
Electrical Technician Certification Overview
- Average Salary: $61,000
- Cost: $5,000 to $10,000
- Requirements: 21 years of age and a high school diploma or GED
- Valid For: 3 years
- Exam Length: 2 hours
- Best Suited For: Engineers
Potential Careers With Electrical Technician Certification
How to Choose the Best Electrical Engineering Certification for Your Career
To choose the best electrical engineering certification for your career you should first look at the course content to see if it contains enough technical skills, fundamental concepts, and advanced knowledge for you to get hired. You should also look at the cost of the certification and its reputation.
Course Content
While selecting your electrical engineering certification you should first check the course content thoroughly. This is an efficient way to make sure you get the best courses and resources on electrical engineering.
Affordability
Another important factor is to look at your budget and pick the most affordable certificate program that teaches enough technical electrical engineering skills without putting you into debt.
Reputation
Pick an electrical engineering certification with a great reputation. This ensures you’ll have no problem getting a job after the successful completion of the certification. If you choose the right certification you might be able to snag one of the highest-paying jobs for electrical engineers.
Which Electrical Engineering Certifications Pay the Most?
The electrical engineering certifications that pay the most include the Certified Systems Engineering Professional, Project Management Professional, Certified Energy Manager, Certified LabVIEW Developer, and Programmable Logic Controller Certification.
Highest-Paying Electrical Engineering Certifications
- Certified Systems Engineering Professional: $132,000
- Project Management Professional: $110,000
- Certified Energy Manager: $89,000
- Certified LabVIEW Developer: $84,000
- Programmable Logic Controller Certification: $77,000
Which Electrical Engineering Certifications Are the Best for Beginners?
The best electrical engineering certifications for beginners are the Programmable Logic Controller, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, and AutoCAD (electrical) certifications. These certifications are easier to get and open up great career opportunities.
Best College Certificate Programs
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How to Prepare for Your Electrical Engineering Certification Exam
To prepare for your electrical engineering certification exams, look into the individual courses and resources designed to help you successfully obtain that particular certification. Such courses are offered on Udemy, Coursera, and other online learning marketplaces.
Best Courses to Prepare for Electrical Engineering Certification Exams
The best courses to prepare for electrical engineering certification exams include Introduction to Electrical Systems Engineering and INCOSE ASEP Exam by Udemy, Power Exam Review Course from School of PE, and PM PrepCast 7 by PrepCast.
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- Cost: Free
- Duration: 36 minutes
- Best Suited For: Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP), Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP)
This course is designed for ASEP and CSEP exams conducted by the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE). You’ll learn the basics of electrical systems and electronic systems engineering, about INCOSE, and the questions asked during an INCOSE exam.
- Cost: $1,290
- Duration: 54 hours
- Best Suited For: PE Electrical and Computer: Power, EIT Exam
The PE Electrical and Computer: Power exam is for practicing engineers with at least four years of experience in the field. The test is conducted by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The preparation course is divided into refresher sessions and workshop sessions.
- Cost: $1,695
- Duration: 24 hours
- Best Suited For: CEM certification
This preparation course offered by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) teaches students about energy equations, calculations, and how to monitor them. Video lectures may include subjects like energy audits, high-performance green buildings, and energy basics.
- Cost: Free
- Duration: 4 weeks
- Best Suited For: PLC certification
This course if offered for free through University at Buffalo under the intelligent machining certificate program, which is also offered by The State University of New York. You learn integrating controls and smart sensors, process control strategies, and sensing techniques.
- Cost: $349
- Duration: 78 hours
- Best Suited For: PMP certification
This comprehensive course is centered around video-based agile training. It has a PM Exam Simulator tool with simulation techniques. This allows you to answer sample questions through mock exams similar to the real PMP exam by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Other Resources to Prepare for Your Electrical Engineering Certification Exams
Other resources for your electrical engineering certification exam prep include books, websites, and guides. A few of these resources include The CSEP Study Guide for INCOSE SEH v4, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide), and LabVIEW Tech Webcast. Below are five top resources you should look into to prepare for your exams.
The CSEP Study Guide for INCOSE SEH v4
This book is a great resource for electrical engineers wanting to pass their INCOSE, CSEP, and ASEP exams. It includes complete chapters on the systems engineering handbook scope, systems engineering overview, and technical processes.
The CSEP Study Guide for INCOSE SEH v4 Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $49.20
- Ideal For: CSEP and ASEP exam prep
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) Sixth Edition
The guide is a comprehensive tool for learning project management and passing the PMP exam as an electrical engineer. It includes chapters on project operation, project integration management, and project scope management.
A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $60
- Ideal For: Candidates wanting to pass the PMP exam
The CEM Body of Knowledge and Study Guide
This is a free resource offered by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) center. It lets you know the exact stats of what the CEM exam entails and which subjects to prepare for. You can pay $50 to take an online self-evaluation exam that simulates the conditions of the actual test.
The CEM Body of Knowledge and Study Guide Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: Free ($50 for self-evaluative exam)
- Ideal For: Preparation of CEM certification exam
LabVIEW Tech Webcast: Certified LabVIEW Developer Exam Preparation
This resource is an interactive webcast that helps you prepare for your Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) exam. The webcast includes different resources, stats on exam format, and information about the evaluation criteria.
LabVIEW Tech Webcast: Certified LabVIEW Developer Exam Preparation Overview
- Type of Resource: Webcast
- Cost: Free
- Ideal For: CLD exam prep
IEEE Computer Society Real-World Software Engineering Problems: A Self-Study Guide for Today’s Software Professional
This book is a guide for all certifications offered by the IEEE Computer Society in software development. It includes chapters on business practices and engineering economics, software requirements, software design, and software testing, among others.
IEEE Computer Society Real-World Software Engineering Problems: A Self-Study Guide for Today’s Software Professional Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $98.75
- Ideal For: Graduate students of software engineering, software engineering professionals, and those taking the IEEE certification exams
Best Online Courses
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Electrical Engineering Job Outlook and Average Salary
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for electrical and electronics engineers is seven percent between 2020 and 2030. In other words, there will be 22,700 average job openings per year for electrical engineers.
The average salary for an electrical engineer is $100,420, as reported by the BLS. Electrical engineers who work in top industries such as research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences field make an average of $125,080.
Best Electrical Engineering Jobs After Certification
The best electrical engineering jobs and electrical engineering certification jobs after completion include engineering PMP, energy manager, LabVIEW architect, chief technology officer, and PLC programmer. Below are descriptions of what each of these jobs entails.
As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) you are part of the executive team responsible for overall supervision of the technology department in your company. On top of technical skills, you will need leadership skills to lead your department.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Software Engineering Master Certification. This certification prepares you for leadership roles such as team lead, upper management, and chief technology officer positions.
After you completed your LabVIEW certification you can be hired by top companies like Sky, HKA Enterprises, and LMT Defense. You are responsible for developing and automating manual simulators through National Instruments (NI) LabVIEW, testing these simulators for meeting minimum product requirements, and implementing new NI technologies.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Certified LabVIEW Developer. The certification is meant as a stepping stone toward becoming a LabVIEW architect, engineer, or developer.
You will work with electrical engineers whilst managing projects and a team of engineers. You are responsible for keeping morale high, ensuring your team is focused, and getting electrical engineering tasks completed in the most efficient way possible.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Project Management Professional. This certification teaches you how to manage a team of people, processes, and electrical engineers in a business environment.
An energy manager works in an office, manages energy management operations and creates initiatives relating to energy conservation. As an energy manager, you will create documentation, such as reports, plans, and presentations for upper management.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Certified Energy Manager. This certification prepares you solely for the job of an energy manager.
As a PLC programmer, you will program automated machinery with the help of programmable logic controllers. You are responsible for writing PLC programs, automating the equipment, writing and installing other computer programs, designing schematics, and testing functionality after installation of the programs.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Programmable Logic Controller Certification. This certification trains you specifically as a PLC programmer.
Best Electrical Engineering Associations
The best electrical engineering associations include The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and International Association of Electrical, Electronic, and Energy Engineering (IAEEEE). Below are descriptions of each of these associations.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
This association for electrical and electronics engineers is a certifying accreditation body for electrical engineering certifications. If you become a member of this association you get access to volunteer resources and the latest industry news. You also get access to international conferences, publications, and communities.
Instituiton of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Being certified from IET or becoming a member of this well-reputed association for engineering and technology gives you access to electrical engineering fellowships, online training courses, and its state-of-the-art digital tools, such as Career Manager.
International Association of Electrical, Electronic, and Energy Engineering (IAEEEE)
This is a global, educational, and scientific organization for electrical, electronic, and energy engineers. The aim of this association is sustainable development through advancements in technology. As a member, you get access to electrical engineering conferences, an early call for papers, and the official IAEEEE publication.
Are Electrical Engineering Certifications Worth It?
Yes, electrical engineering certifications are absolutely worth it because it allows young professionals to progress in their careers. Electrical engineering certifications look great on your resume and improve your chances of getting hired for high-paying jobs.
Additional Reading About Electrical Engineering
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Electrical Engineering Certifications FAQ
The best certifications for electrical engineers include the Engineering in Training, Project Management Professional, and Certified Systems Engineer Professional certifications. Other common certifications include the Professional Engineer, Certified Energy Manager, and Programmable Logic Controller certifications.
Electrical engineers need math, physics, and critical thinking skills to solve complex problems in the workplace. Professional electrical engineers also need skills in AutoCad, MATLAB, project management, and engineering design.
Yes, electrical engineers need to know how to code. They need to be proficient in C and C++ for programming microcontrollers, designing and writing test firmware, and configuring registers. It also depends on your specific role in the electrical engineering field. For example, power engineers don’t need to know how to code.
To become an electrical engineer, you need to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. They also need to pass the Fundamental of Engineering (FE) exam to qualify as a licensed electrical engineer.
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