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The differences between human factors engineers and engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a human factors engineer, becoming an engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a human factors engineer has an average salary of $96,427, which is higher than the $92,077 average annual salary of an engineer.
The top three skills for a human factors engineer include user research, human centered design and user experience. The most important skills for an engineer are python, cloud, and C++.
| Human Factors Engineer | Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $96,427 | $92,077 |
| Hourly rate | $46.36 | $44.27 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 57,075 | 618,207 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.33 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A human factors engineer is responsible for designing system technologies that would help people perform their duties efficiently and accurately. These engineers conduct an in-depth investigation of the human's needs and conceptualize in applying these theories to create technology solutions that adhere to the business requirements and budget limitations. They also perform data and statistical analysis through interviews and surveys to determine the best interface and feasibility. A human factors engineer runs diagnostic tests to ensure the stability and usability of the product with safe optimization and quality.
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
Human factors engineers and engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Human Factors Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average salary | $96,427 | $92,077 |
| Salary range | Between $74,000 And $124,000 | Between $65,000 And $130,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Huntsville, AL |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Fort Bend County | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a human factors engineer and an engineer in terms of educational background:
| Human Factors Engineer | Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Mechanical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | Michigan Technological University |
Here are the differences between human factors engineers' and engineers' demographics:
| Human Factors Engineer | Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.9% Female, 36.1% | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 11.5% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 15.0% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 5% |