Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (occupation group), with detailed role definition from O*NET, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists salary by state
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
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About this role
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists is a professional role within the function in the Architecture and Engineering job family.
Typical entry preparation: Bachelor's Degree and up to 2 years of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
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.
Top skills:WritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive Listening
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists pay by experience level
Entry level$77,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$86,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$106,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$134,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$165,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+11%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
25,200
projected openings per year
Growing faster than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists salary by industry
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
55,900 workers
$112,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
52,400 workers
$123,000
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
41,320 workers
$121,000
Machinery Manufacturing
28,010 workers
$106,500
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing
25,680 workers
$120,500
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
25,420 workers
$120,000
Chemical Manufacturing
23,290 workers
$117,500
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
22,640 workers
$97,500
Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
20,060 workers
$126,000
Miscellaneous Manufacturing
18,550 workers
$111,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Pay trend
National median annual wage, 2020 to 2025: $88,950 to $102,440.
+15.2% over this period
Medians as published each May in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national estimates. Nominal dollars, not adjusted for inflation. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS.
Pay by experience level
How annual pay for this occupation spreads from newcomers to the highest paid, aged to 2026.
Entry10th percentile
$77,000
Early career25th percentile
$86,500
Median50th percentile
$106,000
Experienced75th percentile
$134,000
Top earners90th percentile
$165,500
Bands are the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages for this occupation nationally. Percentiles reflect the full mix of tenure, employer, and location, so they approximate but do not equal years of experience. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS national estimates.
Where this job pays most
Top-paying states for this occupation, average annual wage aged to 2026.
State averages for this occupation from the BLS OEWS state estimates. Cost of living differs by state; a higher wage does not always mean more buying power.
The abilities employers and analysts most associate with this occupation.
WritingSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive Listening
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET occupational database.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
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.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional, Administrative, or Executive exemption
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Exempt when paid above the salary threshold, provided they satisfy the duties test for one of the FLSA exemption categories. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
Pay outlook
Five-year pay outlook for this title
2026$113,500
2027$117,500
2028$121,500
2029$126,000
2030$130,000
2031$135,000
Projection assumes market wages keep rising about 3.5% a year, consistent with recent wage growth measured by the BLS Employment Cost Index. It reflects market movement for the title, not individual raises or promotions, which vary.
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Sources and assumptions
Modeled market estimate, aged to 2026. Underlying source families are BLS OEWS May 2025 for BLS-mapped occupations and the 2018–19 collection for corporate titles. Annual aging is compounded at approximately 3–4%; geographic, industry and company-size repricing are modeled. See the role details and methodology for the applicable source and assumptions.
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How much does a Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists make?
The median market pay for a Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists in the United States is about $113,500 per year in 2026, based on WePayFairly's market model.
What is the salary range for a Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists?
Most Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists pay falls between about $86,500 (25th percentile) and $134,000 (75th percentile), with top earners above $165,500.
What does a Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists do?
Core responsibilities include: collect data through direct observation of work activities or witnessing the conduct of tests; and conduct interviews or surveys of users or customers to collect information on topics, such as requirements, needs, fatigue, ergonomics, or interfaces.
Is pay for Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists roles growing?
Yes. The national median wage for this occupation moved from $88,950 in 2020 to $102,440 in 2025, a change of +15.2% in nominal dollars.
How this role compares
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists pays 5% above the average across 59 roles in the Architecture and Engineering job family (family average $108,000).
Similar-paying roles in Architecture and Engineering
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists make?
The average base salary for a Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists in the United States is $113,500 per year, or about $54.57 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $86,500 and $134,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Architecture and Engineering roles?
The Architecture and Engineering job family averages $108,000 across 59 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
