CPIM – Certified in Production and Inventory Management vs CSCP – Certified Supply Chain Professional vs Six Sigma Green Belt
| Factor | ✅ CPIM – Certified in Production and Inventory Management | CSCP – Certified Supply Chain Professional | Six Sigma Green Belt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | ASCM / APICS | ASCM / APICS | ASQ / IASSC |
| Level | Intermediate | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Exam Cost | $995–$1,295 | $1,295–$1,595 | $300–$595 |
| Pass Rate | ~65% | ~70% | ~65% |
| Avg Salary | $70K–$100K | $75K–$110K | $75K–$105K |
| Difficulty |
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
| Best For | Operations planners, inventory managers, and manufacturing professionals. | Supply chain managers, procurement specialists, and operations professionals.… | Quality engineers, process improvement specialists, and operations managers.… |
| Expiry | Typically 3 years — renewal at ascm.org | Check ascm.org | Check asq.org |
| Full Guide | View guide → | View guide → | View guide → |
Which Should You Choose?
The right certification depends on your current role, target employer, geography, and the specific skills gap you're trying to close. Here's a practical breakdown:
✅ Choose CPIM – Certified in Production and Inventory Management if…
You're targeting roles at organisations that specifically require ASCM / APICS credentials, or you're already working within the ASCM / APICS ecosystem. The CPIM – Certified in Production and Inventory Management carries the strongest recognition among ASCM / APICS customers and partners, and its salary premium of $70K–$100K is well-documented in the job market.
Full Guide →Consider CSCP – Certified Supply Chain Professional if…
You're targeting organisations in the ASCM / APICS ecosystem, or the CSCP – Certified Supply Chain Professional is more commonly required in your target industry or geography. Salary data: $75K–$110K. Issued by ASCM (ascm.org / apics.org), CSCP is the globally recognized standard for supply chain pro…
Full Guide →Consider Six Sigma Green Belt if…
You're targeting organisations in the ASQ / IASSC ecosystem, or the Six Sigma Green Belt is more commonly required in your target industry or geography. Salary data: $75K–$105K. Issued by ASQ (asq.org) or IASSC (iassc.org). Six Sigma Green Belt validates ability to lead and exe…
Full Guide →Detailed Analysis — CPIM – Certified in Production and Inventory Management
Strengths
- ✓Issued by ASCM / APICS — one of the most trusted credential authorities in Supply Chain & Operations
- ✓Salary premium of $70K–$100K documented across multiple independent sources
- ✓Exam fee of $995–$1,295 — strong ROI relative to salary gain
- ✓Global recognition at enterprise employers, government agencies, and consulting firms
- ✓Covers 5 core domains including: Basics of Supply Chain Management, Master Planning of Resources, Detailed Scheduling & Planning
Considerations
- ◆Pass rate is approximately ~65% — structured preparation is essential, not optional
- ◆Mid-level — assumes foundational domain knowledge
- ◆Renewal required — check current requirements at ascm.org
Made your decision? Start your preparation today.
CPIM – Certified in Production and Inventory Management Full Guide → Study Roadmap → Salary Data →