Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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Human Factors Engineers

Human Factors Engineers design objects, facilities, and environments to optimize human well-being and overall system performance, applying theory, principles, and data regarding the relationship between humans and respective technology. Investigate and analyze characteristics of human behavior and performance as it relates to the use of technology.

Salary
$93610
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Master's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Job description

Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists design objects, facilities, and environments to optimize human well-being and overall system performance, applying theory, principles, and data regarding the relationship between humans and respective technology. Investigate and analyze characteristics of human behavior and performance as it relates to the use of technology.

  • Design or evaluate human work systems, using human factors engineering and ergonomic principles to optimize usability, cost, quality, safety, or performance.
  • Collect data through direct observation of work activities or witnessing the conduct of tests.
  • Conduct interviews or surveys of users or customers to collect information on topics such as requirements, needs, fatigue, ergonomics, or interfaces.
  • Prepare reports or presentations summarizing results or conclusions of human factors engineering or ergonomics activities, such as testing, investigation, or validation.
Read more about what does a Human Factors Engineer and Ergonomist really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$91630 per year

Average hourly wage
$44 per hour


Human Factors Engineers with little to no experience tend to make between $56470 and $69690 while the more experienced ones can earn over $108560 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
TX $53 $109,880
CA $52 $107,810
WA $51 $106,980
WY $49 $102,730
MA $49 $102,210

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Human Factors Engineer and Ergonomist is to move to a higher paying state like TX. Right now, the highest paying states for Human Factors Engineers are TX, CA, WA, WY and MA.

However, a higher pay at TX doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at TX might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Human Factors Engineer and Ergonomist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Master’s degree

We asked other Human Factors Engineers what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Master’s Degree followed by a Bachelor’s Degree.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Industrial Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Packaging Science
Read more about how to become a Human Factors Engineer and Ergonomist and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Human Factors Engineer and Ergonomist.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to solve problems mentally
Suitable for people who values achievements and are results-oriented
Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers)
Demand for this career is growing
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience is required for this career.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
70%

Is this job meaningful
60%


70% of Human Factors Engineers said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Thinkers and The Builders

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.



Learn more about Human Factors Engineers

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Human Factors Engineers job description, Human Factors Engineers salary, Human Factors Engineers information, what is the job of a Human Factors Engineer and Ergonomist like, pros and cons about Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists, colleges and universities for Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists, is Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists the right career for me, careers in Architecture and Engineering

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