The Ultimate Lean Six Sigma Certification Cost Guide

Developed by Motorola in 1980, Six Sigma has aided various companies like Microsoft and government organizations in improving their quality standards and processes. Lean Six Sigma is a variation of this process focusing on managerial approaches to team performance.

While anyone can learn Lean Six Sigma principles, those who master it through certification get the best results. You must enroll in a training course to earn a Lean Six Sigma certification.

The Lean Six Sigma certification cost differs depending on the course you select and the level of certification you want. This article will break down Lean Six Sigma certification costs by level and assess the benefits of earning your certification. Keep reading to learn whether a Lean Six Sigma certification is worth it for your team.

Overview of Lean Six Sigma Certification Cost

A Lean Six Sigma certification is often worth the investment. You’ll see immediate benefits after learning and implementing the principles from the course. But the cost of certification will vary depending on a range of factors.

Reasons Why Lean Six Sigma Certification Cost Changes

Several factors impact the Lean Six Sigma certification cost. These include:

• Certification level
• Training provider
• Training location

The higher your certification level, the higher the Lean Six Sigma certification cost will be. Your Black Belt and Master Black Belt courses will often cost more than lower levels like Yellow or Green Belt.

Additionally, different providers offer a range of prices for each certification level. Often, this depends on where you live, the training quality, and the training mode.

Online Lean Six Sigma courses are often cheaper than in-person ones because they have less overhead costs. For similar reasons, you may expect higher prices in cities or urban areas per the cost of living.

For these reasons, the best choice for your budget may be online Lean Six Sigma courses. Online options also offer extra flexibility. You can complete them at your pace without any penalties.

Average Cost of Lean Six Sigma Certification

The average cost of Lean Six Sigma certification ranges from $100 to $5000. This wide range isn’t great for deciding whether a Lean Six Sigma certification suits you. Instead, you should consider each Lean Six Sigma certification cost per level.

Comparison of Costs Among Different Certification Levels

Let’s examine the different certification levels to understand better the costs involved in Lean Six Sigma certification.

Yellow Belt Certification Cost

Yellow Belt certification is the entry-level certification for Lean Six Sigma. A Yellow Belt course will take around one to two days to complete. In it, you will learn Lean Six Sigma basics like the 8 wastes, structured problem solving, 5S or workplace organization, and the 5 Whys for root cause analysis.

Yellow Belt is perfect for those who are new to Six Sigma methods. It’s also useful as a refresher for those who have previous experience with Six Sigma but haven’t studied or practiced it in a while.

Depending on the provider, Yellow Belt certification costs range between $100 and $400. Some cheaper courses might only offer an exam fee and lack coursework. Lean Six Sigma Toolbox provides the course and exam for a low cost of $199.

Green Belt Certification Cost

Green Belt certification is the most popular certification level. Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belts have the tools to lead and support projects. You’ll have the know-how to lead process improvement projects in your organization and get measurable results.

We recommend Green Belt certification for those who want a strong, working knowledge of Lean and Six Sigma principles. If you, or your team need the ability to streamline production, analyze data, and solve problems, Green Belt certificain is the place to start. 

The average cost of a Green Belt certification ranges from $250 to $4000 for in person courses. However, most less expensive options may lack coursework, hands-on instruction, or exam fees. Lean Six Sigma Toolbox offers the Green Belt course, exam, and certification for $599.

Black Belt Certification Cost

Black Belt is the second-highest Lean Six Sigma certification (only Master Black Belt is higher). Black Belt courses often take around seven weeks with 60 to 90 hours of coursework. Once certified, you will be able to lead and manage complex, cross-functional projects.

Few individuals begin at the Black Belt level because it focuses more on statistical analysis and Six Sigma tools, rather than the more easily understood concepts of Lean manufacturing. Those with a statistics background may feel comfortable skipping to this level. You also might start at Black Belt if your profession is in quality management, industrial engineering, operations management, or other leadership positions.

Black Belt certification ranges from $300 to well over $10,000 for multi-week, in-person courses. Lower-cost options may only cover exam fees but leave out coursework. Lean Six Sigma Toolbox Black Belt course includes the Yellow and Green Belt courses plus the Black Belt coursework, an exam, and certification for $999.

What is Lean Six Sigma?

Lean Six Sigma is a method by which organizations improve their team processes. Compared to Six Sigma, Lean Six Sigma focuses on managerial optimization.

Lean Six Sigma combines Lean manufacturing principles with Six Sigma. Through this method, it helps leaders identify and get rid of waste and variation that lead to process defects. The result is better customer satisfaction, increased profitability, and reduced costs.

The problem-solving process of Lean Six Sigma follows six distinct steps. These steps are: define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC). On our website you can see multiple examples of how, using the DMAIC methodology, we improved efficiency for manufacturing companies, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, and other industries.

Lean Six Sigma also follows five core leadership principles:

1. Focus on the Customer

As a business, you must remember your customer throughout all your processes. Define your quality standards based on your customer’s desires and pain points.

2. Continuous Improvement

Practice doesn’t make perfect – but it can always make it better. Lean Six Sigma encourages you to always try to improve problems. Implementing continuous improvement in your processes helps you identify and get rid of defects.

3. Data-Driven Decision-Making

The crux of the Lean Six Sigma process is data analysis. Data can help you identify flaws or unnecessary steps in your operations. 

4. Teamwork

Lean Six Sigma focuses on team process improvement. It will not work if the people using it aren’t working together. The process encourages collaboration among individuals across different functions to achieve common goals.

5. Respond to Change

Implementing Lean Six Sigma will mean changing your processes. You and your team need to learn how to adapt and react to rapid changes in the workplace. Greater resilience means fewer gaps in productivity as you shift gears.

Lean Six Sigma Certification Benefits

Knowing the Lean Six Sigma certification cost and how it works is one aspect of deciding whether pursuing a certification suits you. But you should also consider how a Lean Six Sigma certification can help your career. The following sections will discuss the general and career-specific benefits of investing in a Lean Six Sigma certification.

Career Advancement Opportunities

Six Sigma certification is a valuable asset that can improve the job outlook for qualified professionals. As organizations increasingly seek to improve quality, reduce costs, and increase efficiency, there is a growing demand for professionals with Six Sigma skills and expertise.

Lean Six Sigma certification is highly valued in various industries. It can help you advance in fields like:

• Manufacturing
• Healthcare
• Finance
• Information technology

Professionals with Lean Six Sigma certification can take on organizational leadership roles. You’ll move up the ladder and focus on more big-picture processes rather than day-to-day tasks.

Increased Earning Potential

Professionals with Lean Six Sigma certification can earn higher salaries than those without certification. Salary.com says the average salary for a Six Sigma Green Belt is $113,000 per year. The average Black Belt salary shoots up to $129,000 a year.

Competitive Advantage in Salary Negotiations

Lean Six Sigma certification can also give you a competitive advantage when negotiating your salary. Companies want Lean Six Sigma certified workers. If you can demonstrate your skills and expertise, your certification is an excellent bargaining token as you pursue higher compensation.

Lean Six Sigma for Business Analysts

As a business analyst, you are crucial in identifying and improving business processes. Lean Six Sigma certified analysts have a host of tools at their disposal. Here are some examples of how Lean Six Sigma can help business analysts.

Analyze Data and Identify Patterns

Lean Six Sigma is a data-driven approach to improving organizational processes. Business analysts can use Six Sigma techniques to collect and analyze data, identify patterns, and pinpoint areas for improvement.

Improve Process Efficiency

You can streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency with your newfound analytical skills. Business analysts can help their organizations save time and cut costs by eliminating unnecessary steps and automating processes.

Ensure Quality and Consistency

Lean Six Sigma will also help you create quality standards for your team. By following these standards, you’ll have established expectations and benchmarks by which you can track performance. This quality control will help you meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements.

Lean Six Sigma for Project Managers

Project managers are responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring projects to ensure they meet their goals and objectives. Six Sigma helps project managers to:

Manage Project Risks

Six Sigma provides a structured approach to risk management. Project managers can use Six Sigma tools and techniques to identify, assess, and mitigate risks. Thus, ensuring that you finish every project on time and within budget.

Improve Project Efficiency

Six Sigma can help project managers to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. By identifying and eliminating bottlenecks, project managers can optimize project workflows and increase productivity.

Ensure Project Quality

Streamlining your project processes helps you ensure a better final product. As Six Sigma helps you achieve efficiency, you’ll have more time for quality control. As you monitor project performance and implement Six Sigma principles, you can ensure your project meets the highest standards.

Start Your Lean Six Sigma Certification Today

Lean Six Sigma certification requires a small upfront financial investment as well as investing your time to learn the methodology. But it pays dividends in your ability to succeed at work and in career advancement opportunities. Whether you’re an operations leader, engineer, business analyst, or project manager, starting your Lean Six Sigma course now will kick your career into high gear.

If you’re ready to start your courses, you can sign up and start a 100% online, self-paced course today. Register here, https://leansixsigmatoolbox.teachable.com .

If you have questions you can talk to the experts at Lean Six Sigma Toolbox. Our experienced team can help you determine which level is right for your organization. We also offer tiered packages to provide a custom certification approach.

Request a quote today to start your Lean Six Sigma journey.