Master’s vs. PE License: What’s Better for Career Growth?

In today's competitive job market, it's not at all unusual to reach a point in your career at which it pays to invest in an advanced degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a master's degree correlates to about $300 extra per week—or roughly 20% more in average earnings—than a bachelor's degree.¹

In engineering, however, pursuing a master's degree is often about specializing: developing or extending expertise in a particular engineering discipline. Engineers might also consider acquiring a Professional Engineer license, which is an essential certificate for some senior roles within the profession.

Read on for more information on the distinct benefits and opportunities you can get from the PE license vs. a master's in engineering.

Requirements for a Professional Engineer Certification

The Professional Engineer (PE) license signifies a high standard of professional competence.² It's a certification required by all U.S. states for engineers who wish to take on roles requiring public trust. For example, you can be an engineer without a PE license, but only a PE-licensed professional can sign and seal engineering plans.

PE Licensing is regulated by states, creating some local variance in requirements for certification. Typically, however, candidates for Professional Engineer certification must have a four-year engineering degree plus four years of experience working under a licensed Professional Engineer. As a candidate, you must also pass two exams—Fundamentals of Engineering and Principles and Practice of Engineering.³

Some states also require continuing education and professional development to keep a PE license in good standing.

Pursuing a Master's Degree in Engineering

A master's degree in engineering is an advanced qualification that expands on the knowledge and skills acquired in an undergraduate degree program. The master's program will provide more in-depth practical application, technical knowledge or management insight than a bachelor's degree, typically focusing on a particular area or specialty of engineering.

There are two basic types of master's degree in engineering: the Master of Engineering and the Master of Science (MS). The former is more industry-centered, with a greater focus on coursework, while the latter is a more conventional academic qualification that prepares students for progression to research or doctoral studies.

Master's programs usually provide opportunities to focus on a particular discipline within engineering. For example, the online Master of Engineering from Case Western Reserve University offers concentrations in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, systems and control engineering, as well as engineering innovation, management and leadership.

A master's in engineering helps you transition from early-career work such as project management to specialized managerial and leadership positions in specific industries, such as manufacturing, aerospace and healthcare.

Time and Financial Investment

When it comes to the time and financial investment required, the differences between an engineering master's vs. licensure are significant. The typical Master of Engineering program is a 12-month, full-time course of study. An MS in engineering might take two years to complete. A PE license usually requires at least eight years of qualifying study in the form of a four-year degree plus four years of relevant experience.

Costs are also completely different. For a PE license, expect to pay a licensing fee, exam fees and an annual payment for licensure renewal. Specific fees vary by state, but are typically measured in hundreds (not thousands) of dollars. As an example, in late 2025, the Fundamentals of Engineering exam administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) cost $225.⁴

According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of a master's degree in the U.S. is $62,820.⁵ The online Master of Engineering program at CWRU is available with reduced tuition for new online students, for a total tuition cost of $39,000.

Career Opportunities and Salary Potential

Career path considerations are the most likely reason you'll find yourself contemplating PE licensure or a master's degree in engineering. The qualifications are so distinct from each other that many engineers will eventually acquire both.

If you aspire to greater depth of knowledge in a particular engineering field, or think you might be interested in a more research-oriented career path, you'll need the specific expertise gained from a master's in engineering.

The PE License is a requirement for certain public-facing engineering roles. Whether you have a master's or not, if you want to sell your services to the public as an engineer or sign and seal engineering plans, in most states, you need PE certification.

The distinction between the two qualifications is evident if you look at sample salary statistics. The national employment site ZipRecruiter puts the average salary for graduates with a master's in engineering at $146,868 per year.⁶ For Professional Engineers, ZipRecruiter estimates an average salary of $97,063.⁷ That's the difference between an advanced degree that trains you for specialized and leadership roles in the industry and a professional license that is based largely on work experience, designed for candidates with or without a graduate degree.

Combining Advanced Degrees and Professional Licensure

Combining a master's degree and professional licensure is not uncommon. For example, if you want to get your Civil Engineering Certification (CEC) from the American Society of Civil Engineers, you'll need at least 30 hours of postgraduate credit hours and a PE license.⁸

To achieve ideal salary and career growth over time, engineers benefit from the specialization that comes from a master's degree. Professional licensure provides general professional credibility and serves as a necessary legal requirement for certain engineering functions, identifying the top tier of experienced and qualified engineers.

Take the Next Step: World-Class Engineering Education That Fits Your Life

Designed to provide working professionals with the flexibility they need to continue their careers while acquiring an advanced degree, CWRU's online Master of Engineering curriculum enhances technical competence and practical experience.

Learn directly from CWRU's expert faculty: inspiring mentors including Professor Shuo Li, member of the 2025 Class of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows, and Dr Umut Gurkan, winner of the 2025 Distinguished Investigator Award from the Association for Clinical and Translational Science (ACTS).

Explore our online admissions requirements and tuition information to see how you can get a high-value, practice-focused master's in engineering at a competitive cost. CWRU offers a tuition reduction of more than $28,000 to all new online students.

Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to discuss how CWRU's real-world-focused curriculum, innovative faculty and influential alumni network help shape extraordinary careers in engineering.