4th Annual iSixSigma Global Salary Survey Research Report

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Money, Money, Money, Money… MONEY! The world is infatuated with green. TV game shows of years past offered the chance to win thousands of dollars. Today, no game show is hip if its big payoff is less than $1 million. But, although game shows can be entertaining to watch, they are hardly the way to earn a living. If you are like the majority of the world, you earn your money the old fashioned way – you show up to work.

A typical Black Belt bringing home the current average Black Belt annual compensation (salary plus bonus) will earn a million dollars in about 11 and one-half years. Master Black Belts, Champions and Deployment Leaders will see their million in just over eight years. How long will it take you to earn your million?

This year 2,545 Six Sigma professionals currently employed in Black Belt (BB), Master Black Belt (MBB), Champion and Deployment Leader (DL) roles participated in iSixSigma’s Global Salary Survey.

Unlike in previous surveys, respondents this time around were asked to specify bonus/incentive compensation, in addition to the usual base salary. Although this is a more accurate representation of total pay, it leads to potential variation when comparing salary information to previous years.

Figure 1: Worldwide Participation and Average Salaries
Figure 2: Average Worldwide Base Salaries by Year
Figure 3: Average Salaries by Region
Figure 4: Average Bonus Pay by Region
Figure 5: U.S. Year-to-Year Comparison
Figure 6: Europe Year-to-Year Comparison
Figure 7: Asia and Pacific Nations Year-to-Year Comparison
Figure 8: Latin America Year-to-Year Comparison
Figure 9: Canada Year-to-Year Comparison

Table 1: Worldwide Average Compensation
Table 2: Survey Participation by Region
Table 3: Certification by Certifying Body
Table 4: Worldwide Salaries with and without Black Belt Certification
Table 5: Average Compensation for the United States
Table 6: U.S. Subregions
Table 7: Average Compensation for Europe (includes the Middle East and Africa)
Table 8: Average Compensation for Asia and Pacific Nations
Table 9: Average Compensation for Latin America
Table 10: Average Compensation for Canada

Table A: Worldwide Salary Summary
Table B: Worldwide Bonus Summary
Table C: Worldwide Salaries by Education
Table D: Worldwide Salaries by Experience
Table E: Worldwide Salaries by Industry
Table F: United States – Salaries by Education
Table G: United States – Salaries by Experience
Table H: United States – Salaries by Industry
Table I: United States – Subregional Summary
Table J: U.S. Northeast – Salaries by Education
Table K: U.S. Northeast – Salaries by Experience
Table L: U.S. South – Salaries by Education
Table M: U.S. South – Salaries by Experience
Table N: U.S. Central – Salaries by Education
Table O: U.S. Central – Salaries by Experience
Table P: U.S. West – Salaries by Education
Table Q: U.S. West – Salaries by Experience
Table R: Europe (includes the Middle East and Africa) – Salaries by Education
Table S: Europe (includes the Middle East and Africa) – Salaries by Experience
Table T: Asia and Pacific Nations – Salaries by Education
Table U: Asia and Pacific Nations – Salaries by Experience
Table V: Latin America – Salaries by Education
Table W: Latin America – Salaries by Experience
Table X: Canada – Salaries by Education
Table Y: Canada – Salaries by Experience

Sidebar: How the Salary Survey Is Conducted
Sidebar: A Closer Look at Manufacturing