SOC 17-2112.01Bright outlook

    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.

    Median pay
    $102,440
    Growth
    +12.4%
    Much faster than average
    Openings a year
    23,100
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections · figures for the broader BLS group "Industrial engineers"

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $74,370
    Median
    $102,440
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $159,860
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    365,740 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Human factors engineers and ergonomists design technology, workplaces, and systems to fit human behavior and maximize safety and performance. The median annual pay for this field, based on the broader industrial engineering category, is $102,440.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What human factors engineers and ergonomists do

    Job Zone 5: Extensive preparation

    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.

    Most need a graduate degree, such as a master's, PhD, MD or JD.

    What the work is like

    Professionals in this field focus on the relationship between humans and technology. They investigate human behavior and performance to design objects, facilities, and environments that improve well-being. Day-to-day activities include gathering information, analyzing data, working with computers, and solving complex problems. These engineers must identify objects, actions, and events while making critical decisions to optimize systems.

    Success in this role requires strong skills in critical thinking, active listening, reading comprehension, and mathematics. Communication is vital, as workers frequently consult with others and present their findings through writing and speaking. Key knowledge areas include psychology, design, engineering, sociology, and computers.

    This career strongly appeals to individuals with investigative interests who enjoy intellectual curiosity and innovation. Workers must show high attention to detail, dependability, and adaptability. They must also exercise cautiousness and cooperation when collaborating with supervisors and peers to establish safe, efficient systems.

    How to get there

    To enter this career, the typical education required is a bachelor's degree. Common college majors that prepare students for this field include industrial engineering, systems engineering, manufacturing engineering, and other engineering-related fields. However, because this occupation involves extensive preparation, most professionals eventually need a graduate degree, such as a master's degree, PhD, MD, or JD.

    While gaining experience, individuals can pursue professional certifications to demonstrate their expertise. Available credentials include the Associate Ergonomics Professional, Associate User Experience Professional, and Certified User Experience Professional, all offered by the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics. Additionally, candidates can seek the Fundamentals of Engineering - Industrial and Systems certification from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. Some states also list specific licensing requirements for this line of work.

    Pay and outlook explained

    In 2025, the median annual pay for this occupation was $102,440, though this figure and other salary data represent the broader industrial engineers group. The lowest 10% of earners in this group made less than $74,370, while the highest 10% earned more than $159,860.

    There were 365,740 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 12.4%, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 23,100 job openings each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R)
    59 / 100
    Investigative (I) · strongest
    87 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    27 / 100
    Social (S)
    19 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    26 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    57 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code IRC. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Getting Information
    89
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    87
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    86
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    85
    Analyzing Data or Information
    80
    Working with Computers
    80
    Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
    78
    Processing Information
    76
    Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
    74
    Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
    74
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Active Listening
    • Complex Problem Solving
    • Critical Thinking
    • Reading Comprehension
    • Speaking
    • Writing
    • Active Learning
    • Judgment and Decision Making
    • Systems Evaluation
    • Mathematics

    Knowledge

    • Psychology
    • English Language
    • Design
    • Engineering and Technology
    • Education and Training
    • Mathematics
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Sociology and Anthropology
    • Administration and Management
    • Computers and Electronics

    Abilities

    • Deductive Reasoning
    • Inductive Reasoning
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Written Comprehension
    • Written Expression
    • Fluency of Ideas
    • Information Ordering
    • Problem Sensitivity
    • Category Flexibility

    Work styles

    • Attention to Detail
    • Intellectual Curiosity
    • Innovation
    • Dependability
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Adaptability
    • Cooperation
    • Cautiousness
    • Integrity
    • Perseverance

    Also called

    Board Certified Ergonomist · Certified Professional Ergonomist · Cognitive Engineer · Engineer · Engineering Psychologist · Ergonomic Consultant · Ergonomic Specialist · Ergonomics Consultant · Ergonomics Engineer · Ergonomics Specialist

    Career pathway

    From your interests to human factors engineers and ergonomists

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists$102,440 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1University of Virginia-Main Campus UVA logo
      University of Virginia-Main Campus UVA

      Charlottesville, VA · Systems Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $96,168
      4 yrs after
      $144,830
      Median debt
      $12,000
    2. 2Northwestern University-Illinois logo
      Northwestern University-Illinois

      Evanston, IL · Industrial Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $95,993
      4 yrs after
      $138,720
      Median debt
      $13,992
    3. 3Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus GA Tech logo
      Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus GA Tech

      Atlanta, GA · Industrial Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $128,003
      Median debt
      $20,071
    4. 4University of Florida logo
      University of Florida

      Gainesville, FL · Systems Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $87,546
      4 yrs after
      $122,299
      Median debt
      $19,472
    5. 5Lehigh University logo
      Lehigh University

      Bethlehem, PA · Industrial Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $84,946
      4 yrs after
      $121,498
      Median debt
      $19,000
    6. 6
      George Washington University

      Washington, DC · Systems Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $120,976
      Median debt
      Not reported
    7. 7Washington University in St Louis WUSTL logo
      Washington University in St Louis WUSTL

      Saint Louis, MO · Systems Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $119,297
      Median debt
      Not reported
    8. 8University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus logo
      University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus

      Ann Arbor, MI · Industrial Engineering · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $87,932
      4 yrs after
      $117,930
      Median debt
      $20,500

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What human factors engineers and ergonomists may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Engineering/Industrial Management
    • Industrial Engineering
    • Manufacturing Engineering
    • Packaging Science
    • Systems Engineering

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    49 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about human factors engineers and ergonomists

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some alternative job titles for this career?

    People in this profession are also called cognitive engineers, engineering psychologists, ergonomic consultants, and ergonomics specialists. Some may hold titles like Certified Professional Ergonomist or Board Certified Ergonomist.

    What is the job outlook for human factors engineers?

    Employment is projected to increase by 12.4% from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the average growth rate. This expansion is expected to generate 23,100 job openings annually.

    What academic majors are most relevant to this field?

    Students typically major in industrial engineering, systems engineering, manufacturing engineering, or other engineering-related fields. While a bachelor's degree is the typical entry level, most workers in this field eventually earn a graduate degree.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.