Placement Opportunities for Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Professionals in Industry and Government/Military Positions

Abstract

During the period from January 2002 through December 2002, the Placement Service of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society distributed announcements describing 141 new positions available for human factors and ergonomics professionals. This paper describes placement opportunities for HF and ergonomics professionals in Industry and Government/Military (N=117). The attributes of the position descriptions examined include: employment sector, major field of study, degree requirements, required work experience, salary, geographic location, travel, and areas of expertise. The type of industry seeking most employees was Consulting at 32%. The most frequently specified major field of study was Human Factors (N=73). Forty-nine percent of positions describe the master's degree as the minimum requirement. The geographical areas with the most jobs were East Central (N=20) and the Mid Atlantic (N=17). Finally, the area of expertise most frequently requested by employers was Human Computer Interaction (N=23) and Human Factors/Ergonomics (N=32) was the most commonly specified job expertise/function.

Placement Opportunities for Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Professionals

“…However, for the 31 positions for which a salary range was specified, the salaries ranged from a low of $30,000 to a high of $162,000 (compared to a range of $30,000 to $85,210 in 2004 (Anderson et al, 2005); $30,000 to $121,000 in 2002 (Voorheis et al, 2003); $33,000 to $95,000 in 2000 (Schoeling, Goliber, & Moroney, 2001); $33,000 to $100,000 in 1998 (Cummings-Hill, Means, Harrison, & Moroney, 1999)). In 2005, the median minimum salary was $73,000 and the median maximum salary was $100,000.…”

“…The nine percent (11 positions) for 2006 is similar to 2005 in which the Government/Military sector accounted for 10% (8 positions), and less than 2004 in which it accounted for 15% (Anderson, Bakowski, & Moroney, 2005) and 2003 in which it accounted for 13%. (Voorheis, Snead, & Moroney, 2003). This decrease may reflect the government's outsourcing policy.…”

“…The number of positions available in industry was 81 in the 2004 survey (Anderson, Bakowski, & Moroney, 2005), 96 in the 2002 survey (Voorheis, Snead, & Moroney, 2003), and 111 in the 2005 survey (Loomer, Kish and Moroney, 2005) and 113 in the current analysis. Overall there was a positive increase in the number of positions.…”

Placement Opportunities for Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Professionals in Industry and Government/Military Positions

“…The 92 positions discussed in this paper were categorized into two employment sectors: Industry (88%), and Government/Military (12%). The Industry sector increased 6% from 2002 (Voorheis, Snead, & Moroney, 2003), while Government/Military deceased (6%). The number of positions available in industry was 96 in the 2002 survey (Voorheis, Snead, & Moroney, 2003), and 81 in this analysis.…”

“…The Industry sector increased 6% from 2002 (Voorheis, Snead, & Moroney, 2003), while Government/Military deceased (6%). The number of positions available in industry was 96 in the 2002 survey (Voorheis, Snead, & Moroney, 2003), and 81 in this analysis. The positions were classified by the authors according to industrial sector by type of industry (see Figure 1).…”