Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists
Alternative careers
Related career paths that build on similar skills and experience
Why it fits
Applies ergonomics, risk controls, product safety, incident prevention, standards, testing evidence, and design review.
Why it fits
Uses workplace hazards, ergonomics, human performance, inspections, corrective actions, training, and compliance records.
Why it fits
Uses task analysis, learning needs, procedure design, performance feedback, instructional materials, and usability findings.
Occupation snapshot
What does this snowflake show?
What's this?
We rate jobs using four factors. These are:
- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions
These are some key things to think about when job hunting.
Risk & user votes
Calculated automation risk
Minimal Risk (0-20%): This occupation appears difficult to replace end-to-end with current or near-future automation, including AI software and robotics. Roles in this range usually depend on human judgement, creativity, care, leadership, specialist expertise, or adapting to messy real-world situations. AI and machines may still change parts of the work, but the occupation is likely to remain a distinct human role.
More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.
Human strengths important in this job
These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.
Decision-making and problem solving
Very importantWhy this matters
Psychology knowledge
Very importantWhy this matters
Thinking creatively
Quite importantWhy this matters
Coordinating others’ work
Quite importantWhy this matters
Communicating with people outside the organization
Quite importantWhy this matters
Show 4 more strengths
Consulting and advising others
Quite importantWhy this matters
Active learning
Quite importantWhy this matters
Operations analysis
Quite importantWhy this matters
Education and training expertise
Quite importantWhy this matters
What users think
Based on 26 votes
Our visitors have voted there's a low chance this occupation will be automated. This assessment is further supported by the calculated automation risk level, which estimates 10% chance of automation.
What do you think the risk of automation is?
What is the likelihood that Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?
View sentiment trend
Pay & outlook
Wages
In 2024, the median annual wage for Industrial Engineers was $101,140 ($49 per hour).
The median annual wage for Industrial Engineers was 104.3% higher than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.
Growth
The number of 'Industrial Engineers' job openings is expected to rise 11.0% by 2034
Updated projections are due 09-2025.
Volume
As of 2024 there were 350,230 people employed as 'Industrial Engineers' within the United States.
This represents around 0.23% of the employed workforce across the country
Put another way, around 1 in 440 people are employed as 'Industrial Engineers'.
People also viewed
Job description
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.
O*NET-SOC code: 17-2112.01
What people are saying (0)
Reply to comment