All About Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists

Job Description & Duties 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.

Life As a Human Factors Engineer or Ergonomist

• Develop or implement research methodologies or statistical analysis plans to test and evaluate developmental prototypes used in new products or processes, such as cockpit designs, user workstations, or computerized human models.
• Train users in task techniques or ergonomic principles.
• 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.
• Analyze complex systems to determine potential for further development, production, interoperability, compatibility, or usefulness in a particular area, such as aviation.
• Develop or implement human performance research, investigation, or analysis protocols.
• Apply modeling or quantitative analysis to forecast events, such as human decisions or behaviors, the structure or processes of organizations, or the attitudes or actions of human groups.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Human Factors Engineer or Ergonomist?

These are the skills Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists say are the most useful in their careers:

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Types of Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists

• PI/Senior Research Associate
• Usability Specialist
• Managing Cognitive Engineer
• Ergonomic Specialist
• Chief Engineer

Is There Job Demand for Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists?

There were about 257,900 jobs for Industrial Engineers in 2016 (in the United States).

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.7% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 25,100 new jobs for Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 19,700 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Industrial Engineers are Michigan, California, and Texas.

Watch out if you plan on working in New Mexico, Vermont, or Hawaii. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists Make A Lot Of Money?

The typical yearly salary for Industrial Engineers is somewhere between $56,470 and $132,340. The median salary for this occupation is $87,040.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Texas	$109,880
California	$107,810
Washington	$106,980
Wyoming	$102,730
Massachusetts	$102,210
Maryland	$102,200
New Mexico	$102,120
Montana	$100,640
Colorado	$100,460
Louisiana	$99,090
New Jersey	$98,050
Rhode Island	$97,610
Arizona	$95,940
Hawaii	$95,590
Idaho	$94,830
New York	$94,700
Delaware	$94,590
West Virginia	$94,480
Virginia	$93,980
New Hampshire	$91,530
Oregon	$90,980
Minnesota	$90,580
Connecticut	$89,830
Utah	$89,830
Michigan	$89,330
Illinois	$88,850
District of Columbia	$88,380
Maine	$88,020
Alabama	$87,870
Missouri	$87,620
Nevada	$87,140
North Carolina	$87,110
South Carolina	$87,080
Georgia	$86,220
Pennsylvania	$86,080
Nebraska	$85,950
Oklahoma	$85,280
Tennessee	$84,070
Ohio	$84,060
South Dakota	$82,780
Iowa	$82,770
Mississippi	$82,040
North Dakota	$79,980
Vermont	$79,700
Kansas	$79,580
Kentucky	$79,170
Florida	$77,410
Wisconsin	$77,260
Arkansas	$77,100
Indiana	$74,430

What Tools & Technology do Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Visio
• The MathWorks MATLAB
• Microsoft Visual Basic
• Microsoft Excel
• IBM SPSS Statistics
• jQuery
• SAS
• Computer aided design CAD software
• Microsoft Office

Where Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists Work

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons