Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
SOC code 17-2112 · O*NET-SOC 17-2112.01 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$102,440
a year
Hourly
$49.25
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$109,900
$52.84 per hour
Middle 50%
$83,600 – $129,250
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$74,370 – $159,860
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
365,740
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Industrial Engineers”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $74,370
- $35.76/hr
- 25th percentile
- $83,600
- $40.19/hr
- Median percentile
- $102,440
- $49.25/hr
- 75th percentile
- $129,250
- $62.14/hr
- 90th percentile
- $159,860
- $76.85/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+11%
Growing much faster than average
351,100
jobs in 2024
389,600
projected for 2034
About 38,500 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do human factors engineers and ergonomists do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Provide technical support to clients through activities, such as rearranging workplace fixtures to reduce physical hazards or discomfort or modifying task sequences to reduce cycle time.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 50% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- 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
- 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.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree50%
- Bachelor's Degree40%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate10%
Common questions
How much does a human factors engineers and ergonomists earn?
The national median is $102,440 a year. The full range runs from $74,370 at the 10th percentile to $159,860 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a human factors engineers and ergonomists without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is 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). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is human factors engineers and ergonomists in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 11% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Psychology4.2/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Design3.9/5
- Engineering and Technology3.8/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Evaluation.