Benefits of Becoming a Licensed Professional Engineer
Wasim Asghar 
September 28, 2023The benefits of becoming a Licensed Professional Engineer cannot be understated, as getting a PE license is a significant milestone in your engineering career journey. It offers a multitude of advantages that go beyond a mere certification.
These benefits are pivotal for personal and professional growth and contribute significantly to the engineering industry as a whole.
Reportedly, the salaries of Professional Engineers in the US start from USD 17,628 to USD 462,735, with a median pay of around USD 84,432. It’s not just about financial benefits but several other factors that make professional engineers claim the hottest seats in the US engineering industry.
In this blog, we will explore the significant benefits of becoming a Licensed Professional Engineer, focusing on their technical and practical aspects. Let’s discover more in detail.
Benefits of Obtaining a Professional Engineer License
Below are some of the most convincing benefits of becoming a Licensed Professional Engineer that give you immense freedom, authority, and perks associated with personal and financial growth.
1. Credibility and Authority
A PE license endows engineers with the capability to sign and seal engineering documents, tenders, and more. This accreditation also grants eligibility to establish your engineering firm, elevating your professional standing in the industry.
Engineers holding a PE license gain the trust of stakeholders, affirming their technical competence through the ability to authenticate and validate critical engineering documents. This leads to smoother project approvals, instills client confidence, and mitigates potential risks.
2. Career Advancement
A PE license propels engineers towards rapid career growth, providing a tangible advantage when vying for organizational leadership positions.
With a PE license, you are often better positioned to assume managerial roles and decision-making responsibilities in your field. This advancement results from your expertise and adherence to a rigorous code of ethics.
3. Increased Earning Potential
As a PE-licensed professional, you can claim the best-in-class salary packages and additional perks and benefits.
The PE credential highlights your commitment to excellence as a professional engineer, leading employers to recognize your higher market value. This results in more competitive compensation packages and enhances job satisfaction.
4. Job Security
Possessing a PE license affords you a higher degree of job security, underpinned by your capacity to deliver exceptional services and assume leading positions within organizations consistently.
Job security stems from the trust clients and employers place in PE-licensed engineers, knowing that their work adheres to rigorous industry standards, thus reducing the likelihood of costly errors and project setbacks.
5. Flexibility and Opportunities
PE-licensed professionals are not confined to a single domain or location. As a professional engineer, you have access to a diverse range of opportunities. This flexibility extends to cross-industry transitions, allowing you to adapt to evolving career landscapes.
Undoubtedly, the PE license opens doors to various industries and projects, enabling you to explore new horizons and adapt your expertise to changing market demands. This flexibility ensures a dynamic and fulfilling career.
6. Professional Development
Engineers with a PE license gain the opportunity to work on high-end projects, stay updated with the latest technology trends, and gain insights into their respective industries, providing a fertile ground for ongoing professional development.
In high-responsibility roles, for instance, you, being a PE-licensed engineer, engage with cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions. This hands-on experience bolsters their knowledge and skills, positioning them as leaders in their organizations and the broader engineering community.
Related: Electrical Engineer code of ethics
Frequently Asked Questions:
1 - What percent of engineers have a PE?
As of 2022, approx. 4.73 million engineers were present in the USA ( a growth of an average of 3.65% from 2019), of which 931,640 were licensed PE. This means approx. 19.7% of engineers have a PE license.
2 - What percent of engineers pass the PE exam?
The pass rates for the PE exam change every year, especially concerning different fields of specialization. You can check out our blog on the PE exam pass rates to keep yourself updated on the pass rates for the PE exam as of Feb 2023.
Conclusion
At Study for FE, we believe that the PE exam and license signify to an employer that you have the qualifications necessary to earn their respect. This shows a potential employer that you can handle more responsibilities.
Among other benefits of becoming a licensed professional engineer, it also earns you credibility from your coworkers. To yourself, it is indeed an emblem of encouragement and a reflection of your perseverance and determination.
Engineers typically finish a four-year university degree, train underneath a Professional Engineer for at least four years, complete two extensive competence examinations, and get a license from the country’s licensing board before being licensed. P.Es then must continuously upgrade their abilities during their employment to keep their license. Nonetheless, the end product is definitely worth it.
If you want to have detailed preparation for the exam, get in touch with us and ace your exams in the best possible way! It provides the most compelling presentations of complex ideas. You can expect a response personally from Wasim in 24-48 hours.
Best of luck!
Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas (PE), Florida (PE) and Ontario (P. Eng) with consulting experience in design, commissioning and plant engineering for clients in Energy, Mining and Infrastructure.