Ergonomist
Ergonomists research ways to design products, workplaces or systems to suit the people who use them.
Also known as: Human factors specialist
- Starter salary£30,000 a year
- Experienced£60,000 a year
- Typical hours38 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As an ergonomist, you could:
- visit businesses and speak to staff about how they work
- collect and analyse workplace data
- identify issues with equipment, processes and the working environment
- advise businesses on how to improve staff wellbeing, safety and efficiency
- contribute to the re-design of equipment and systems to benefit all staff
- act as an expert witness in cases of industrial injury
Working environment
You could work at a client's business, in an office or at a university.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of psychology
- analytical thinking skills
- complex problem-solving skills
- design skills and knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- maths knowledge
- active listening skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a ergonomist
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You can become an ergonomist by doing a degree that includes ergonomics as part of the course, for example:
- occupational therapy
- physiotherapy
- psychology
- sports science
- design engineering
You can also take a postgraduate course in ergonomics and human factors , after completing a first degree, or if you have a lot of professional experience in this type of work.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a related degree or several years' relevant experience
Apprenticeship
You may be able to apply to do a Human Factors Specialist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.
It can take around 3 years to complete, and is a mix of on-the-job training and higher education study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
Work
If you work in an area like transport, healthcare, design engineering or health and safety you could take industry-recognised training courses in ergonomics to further your career. You might then look to take up postgraduate study.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into line management or project management.
You might wish to specialise as a consultant in a particular industry, for example:
- robotics engineering
- healthcare and medical technology
- transport
- power generation
You could also work towards Chartered Ergonomist and Human Factors Specialist status . This gives recognition of your skills and expertise in ergonomics.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors for professional development training, events and networking opportunities.
Guides for this industry
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