Human factors engineers and ergonomists design systems and products that fit how people actually work and live. You solve problems at the intersection of psychology, engineering, and design. The work is analytical, in demand, and requires a master's degree.
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Human factors engineers and ergonomists study how people interact with equipment, software, and environments. You gather information about user needs, identify safety risks, and make decisions about design improvements. Your work involves analyzing data, communicating findings to supervisors and teams, and using computers to model solutions. You apply psychology and design principles to create products and workspaces that reduce errors, improve efficiency, and protect people from injury. This might mean redesigning a cockpit layout, optimizing a medical device interface, or restructuring a factory floor.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists earn a median of $102,440 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 11 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average for all occupations, with about 25,200 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You need a master's degree to enter this field. Start with a bachelor's degree in engineering, psychology, or a related discipline. During your undergraduate years, take courses in design, mathematics, and engineering technology. Then pursue a master's program focused on human factors, ergonomics, or a related engineering specialty. These programs combine coursework in psychology, design, and engineering with hands-on projects. Internships during your studies help you build practical experience and professional connections before you graduate.
Most paths to this career involve a bachelor's degree followed by a master's program, so timing and program selection matter. If you are exploring which undergraduate major and graduate focus fit your goals, Pathly can map the human factor engineer and ergonomist path that fits you and turn it into a step-by-step plan with your counselor.
You do not need a license to work as a human factor engineer and ergonomist, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are drawn to understanding how systems work and why people behave the way they do. You enjoy solving complex problems through research and analysis, and you want your work to have a real impact on safety and usability.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).