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Human Factors Professional, Human Factors Specialist, Injury Prevention Specialist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Ergonomics is about ensuring a good fit between people and the tools, equipment, and products they use whether at play, travel, or work. This multidisciplinary field includes:
Ergonomists ensure that the design of products, tasks, and work methods is compatible with human capability. They evaluate human and machine systems by observing, measuring, and grading how people interact with each other and their own equipment and workspaces. They do this to maximize safety, efficiency, and well-being while optimizing performance. To accomplish this, they may:
Ergonomists work in diverse settings including laboratories, industry, offices, and teaching environments. They work with a wide variety of people including labourers, union officials, managers, other professionals, students, and the public.
They may work overtime, evenings, and weekends to meet project deadlines or assess systems involving shift workers.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in co-ordinating information to evaluate working and living environments
Interest in consulting with clients to ensure that the design, configuration and use of equipment, procedures and environmental conditions maximize safety, productivity and comfort
Interest in handling equipment to conduct research
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Ergonomists need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 47 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 27, 2021 and Dec 18, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Health benefits: Health care plan | 32 |
|---|---|
| Health benefits: Dental plan | 31 |
| Health benefits: Vision care benefits | 28 |
| Green Job: Involves duties and responsibilities that lead to positive environmental outcomes | 21 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 15 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 15 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 15 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 15 |
| Construction Specialization: Accurate | 15 |
| Tasks: Report and document investigations and conclusions/recommendations | 15 |
The minimum education requirement is generally a bachelor’s degree in ergonomics or a related discipline. This could include psychology, human kinetics, human factors, or biomedical engineering. Increasingly, ergonomists have graduate-level certification or a graduate degree. Those working in systems design may have a master’s degree in industrial engineering. For more information, see the Industrial Engineer occupational profile.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certification is voluntary in Alberta. Ergonomists may belong to the Association of Canadian Ergonomists and be certified through the Canadian College for the Certification of Professional Ergonomists. To qualify for certification, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with specified course content or an equivalent combination of education and experience. They must also meet competency and work experience requirements.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Ergonomists work for:
Self-employed ergonomists may contract their services to a variety of employers.
Advancement opportunities vary depending on the size and nature of the organization and the ergonomist’s qualifications.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers
2016 NOC: 4161
75.5% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $25.00 | $65.00 | $40.41 | $38.67 |
| Overall | $33.16 | $74.78 | $50.28 | $49.22 |
| Top | $34.31 | $100.84 | $62.90 | $58.36 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $95,293 |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $124,968 |
| Construction | $49,181 |
| Manufacturing | $132,716 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $105,721 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $90,208 |
| Educational Services | $88,648 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $71,152 |
| Public Administration | $91,008 |
Association of Canadian Ergonomists (ACE) website: ace-ergocanada.ca
Canadian College for the Certification of Professional Ergonomists (CCCPE) website: www.cccpe.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
