CLS means monetary, career advantage for lubrication professionals

27 November 2012 – Lubricant-industry sales and marketing executives holding STLE’s Certified Lubrication Specialist® (CLS) credential reaped substantial salary and career benefits, according to the 2012 Lubricant Industry Salary Survey conducted by Lubes’n’Greases magazine.

CLS-certified sales and marketing execs earned more money, supervised larger staffs and were more likely to say they had received a raise during the past 12 months, survey data revealed. Lubes’n’Greases surveyed 257 sales and marketing execs in the lubricants industry, of which 71 individuals (28%) hold the CLS designation.

CLS holders and non-holders compared closely when it came to average age (51), years of experience (24 for CLS holders, 22 for the rest) and years with employer (15 for CLS holders, 13 for the non-CLS group). But the survey also revealed major benefits for sales and marketing professionals who hold the CLS credential:

• CLS holders reported earning an average pay of $140,000 compared to $126,000 for non-holders.
• The median pay for CLS holders was $120,000 vs. $115,000 for non-holders.
• CLS earners on average supervised 20 individuals compared to nine for those without the certification.
• The lowest reported pay for CLS holders was $54,000 compared to $32,000 for non-holders.
• 58% of CLS earners said they received a salary raise last year vs. 48% of those without the CLS.
• 83% of CLS holders expect to receive a bonus this year vs. 63% of the non-CLS crowd.

Created by STLE in 1993, the CLS recognizes those individuals who possess current knowledge of lubrication fundamentals and theory. Certification is obtained by scoring at least 70% on a three-hour exam with 150 questions chosen at random from a stockpile of questions covering nearly 20 technical areas. STLE is in the process of translating the CLS exam into other languages.

“Those with CLS are seeing more and more bonuses,” says Dr. Robert M. Gresham, STLE’s director of professional development. “Often, these are the people responsible for managing major accounts like national fleets and big manufacturers, not just normal sales.”

The CLS wasn’t the only key factor. Type of employer (manufacturer vs. distributor), geography, company size and number of employees supervised also were key compensation influencers. But the survey confirmed that the CLS certification has a visible impact on payday.

Lubes’n’Greases, based in Falls Church, Va., conducts its salary survey every other year. The magazine reported the results for sales and marketing execs in its November issue. In October the magazine examined salary data for plant managers, and its December issue will focus on laboratory and technical professionals. To see the articles or order a copy of the 2012 Salary Survey report, log on to www.Lubes’n’Greasespublishing.com.

For more information on the CLS, log on to www.stle.org. If you have questions about the certification or exam, e-mail Gresham at [email protected].

The Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) is a non-profit, international professional society dedicated to advancing the science of tribology and best practices in lubrication engineering. The society is headquartered in Park Ridge, Illinois. For more information, log on to www.stle.org.