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
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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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.
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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