# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/human-factors-engineers-and-ergonomists
- SOC code: 17-2112.01
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $102,440 (10th percentile $74,370, 90th percentile $159,860)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +12.4%
- Openings a year: 23,100
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Industrial engineers".

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 59 |
| Investigative (I) | 87 |
| Artistic (A) | 27 |
| Social (S) | 19 |
| Enterprising (E) | 26 |
| Conventional (C) | 57 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 89/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 87/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 86/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 85/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 80/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 80/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 78/100)
- Processing Information (importance 76/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 74/100)
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (importance 74/100)

## 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

## Also called

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

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Engineering-Related Fields](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1515) (CIP 1515, 230 colleges)
- [Industrial Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1435) (CIP 1435, 151 colleges)
- [Systems Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1427) (CIP 1427, 119 colleges)
- [Manufacturing Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1436) (CIP 1436, 86 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Virginia-Main Campus UVA](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-virginia-main-campus-uva-3072) | Systems Engineering | $96,168 | $144,830 | $12,000 |
| [Northwestern University-Illinois](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northwestern-university-illinois-1966) | Industrial Engineering | $95,993 | $138,720 | $13,992 |
| [Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus GA Tech](https://www.collegesref.com/college/georgia-institute-of-technology-main-campus-ga-tech-1072) | Industrial Engineering | not reported | $128,003 | $20,071 |
| [University of Florida](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-florida-2910) | Systems Engineering | $87,546 | $122,299 | $19,472 |
| [Lehigh University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/lehigh-university-1472) | Industrial Engineering | $84,946 | $121,498 | $19,000 |
| [George Washington University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/george-washington-university-1066) | Systems Engineering | not reported | $120,976 | not reported |
| [Washington University in St Louis WUSTL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/washington-university-in-st-louis-wustl-3172) | Systems Engineering | not reported | $119,297 | not reported |
| [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-main-campus-2956) | Industrial Engineering | $87,932 | $117,930 | $20,500 |

## Related careers

- [Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/health-and-safety-engineers-except-mining-safety-engineers-and-inspectors): $115,160 median pay
- [Industrial Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/industrial-engineers): $102,440 median pay
- [Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioengineers-and-biomedical-engineers): $109,370 median pay
- [Validation Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/validation-engineers): $102,440 median pay
- [Data Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-scientists): $120,230 median pay
- [Computer and Information Research Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-and-information-research-scientists): $140,300 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

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.