How To Become A Human Factors Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a human factors engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A human factors engineer applies human performance principles, methodologies, and technologies in designing human-machine systems and products. He/She identifies and analyzes technological problems and performs theoretical human factors investigations. He/She also develops and implements research and analysis plans. Similarly, he/she develops and implements research methodologies and statistical analysis plans. This is to test and evaluate prototypes used in new products and processes, like user workstations, cockpit designs, and computerized human models. Also, he/she collaborates with design engineers to create system designs, operating, and training requirements.

For this role, you need a bachelor's degree in engineering or its equivalent. Candidates must have a minimum of ten years of relevant work experience. You must have skills in research/experimental design, task analysis, Human-in-the-Loop (HITL) testing, statistical analysis, and report writing. Proficiency in simulation software like CATIA Human Builder is a plus. Human factors engineers make an average salary of $95,153 yearly. This varies between $67,000 and $136,000.

ScoreHuman Factors EngineerUS Average

Salary

7.5

Avg. Salary $96,427

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.2

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 11.47%

Black or African American 4.87%

Hispanic or Latino 11.98%

Unknown 3.97%

White 67.54%

Gender

female 36.10%

male 63.90%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress level

5.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a human factors engineer

Explore human factors engineer education requirements

Most common human factors engineer degrees

Bachelor's

69.3 %

Master's

21.5 %

Doctorate

5.3 %

Start to develop specific human factors engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
User Research	6.46%
Human Centered Design	6.26%
User Experience	5.98%
FDA	5.38%
Medical Devices	5.33%

Complete relevant human factors engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New human factors engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a human factors engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real human factors engineer resumes.

Research human factors engineer duties and responsibilities

Manage and conduct fusion analysis of HUMINT, SIGINT, IMINT and OSINT.
Provision, manage and deploy dedicated Linux hosting solutions for various small businesses.
Accomplish QA of inspector worksheets during shipboard inspection, and generate certification report for government approval.
Procure EEG, ergonomic testing equipment, receive approvals from elementary schools, school districts, and parents.

Prepare your human factors engineer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your human factors engineer resume.

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