Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Engineer
- Ergonomist
- Human Factors Engineer
- Occupational Ergonomist
Alternate Job Titles
- Board Certified Ergonomist
- Certified Professional Ergonomist
- Cognitive Engineer
- Engineer
- Engineering Psychologist
- Ergonomic Consultant
- Ergonomic Specialist
- Ergonomics Consultant
- Ergonomics Engineer
- Ergonomics Specialist
- Ergonomics Technical Advisor
- Ergonomist
- Human Factors Advisor
- Human Factors Engineer
- Human Factors Ergonomist
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
- Advocate for end users in collaboration with other professionals, including engineers, designers, managers, or customers.
- Inspect work sites to identify physical hazards.
- Prepare reports or presentations summarizing results or conclusions of human factors engineering or ergonomics activities, such as testing, investigation, or validation.
- Recommend workplace changes to improve health and safety, using knowledge of potentially harmful factors, such as heavy loads or repetitive motions.
- Perform functional, task, or anthropometric analysis, using tools, such as checklists, surveys, videotaping, or force measurement.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Assess systems to identify and quantify risk factors.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Psychology
- English Language
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Mathematics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Active Learning
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Systems Evaluation
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Fluency of Ideas
- Problem Sensitivity
- Information Ordering
- Category Flexibility
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Innovation
- Dependability
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Recognition
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- AJAX
- Apple Safari
- Atlassian JIRA
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- C++
Tools & Equipment
- Algometers
- Anthropometers
- Automated blood pressure measurement equipment
- Body fat measurement calipers
- Colorimeters
- Computer laser printers
- Desktop computers
- Digital audio recorders
- Digital force gauges
- Digital video cameras
- Electrocardiography EKG monitors
- Electroencephalography EEG equipment
- Electromagnetic motion analysis systems
- Electromyograph processing systems
- Electronic distance measuring devices
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Industrial Engineers occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $70,000 |
| Median | $101,140 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $157,140 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 350,230
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $109,660
Industrial Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $101,140
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $106,950
Validation Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $101,140
Data Scientists
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $112,590
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.