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Ergonomist

Ergonomists study the relationships between people and their tools, their equipment, and their working environments. Ergonomists apply their knowledge to enhancing people’s well-being, performance, comfort, and safety.

Also Known As

Human Factors Professional, Human Factors Specialist, Injury Prevention Specialist

NOC Codes

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

  • 4161.1: Ergonomists

2006 NOC-S

  • E031: Natural and Applied Science Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers

2011 NOC

  • 4161: Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers

2016 NOC

  • 4161: Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers

2021 NOC

  • 41400: Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers

2023 OaSIS

  • 41400.01: Ergonomists
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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:

  • Biological and life sciences such as biomechanics, kinesiology, and medicine
  • Behavioural and social sciences such as psychology, sociology, and anthropology
  • Technical sciences such as systems design, mathematical modelling, and operations research

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:

  • Develop experimental designs, collect data, and compare actual performance with pre-set criteria for performance
  • Study physical, postural, physiological, cognitive, stress, job parameters, and attitudes to work, compare them with pre-set criteria, and analyze the results
  • Use measuring instruments, subjective analysis, performance and response measurements, modelling, and simulations to assess physical environments
  • Rank the suitability of products and systems in relation to users’ motor, sensory, and cognitive abilities
  • Use creative techniques such as focus groups, participation-based design, and follow-up groups to design systems, put them in place, and audit resulting changes in performance
  • Teach workers about body mechanics and work practices
  • Consult about design and development problems with experts from a variety of disciplines, and integrate any data they bring from their differing professional perspectives
  • Advise organizations about personnel management as it relates to human factors in product and system design, evaluation, operation, and maintenance
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

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.

Interests & Abilities

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.

Ergonomists

2006 NOC: 4161.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
INNOVATIVE

Interest in co-ordinating information to evaluate working and living environments

DIRECTIVE

Interest in consulting with clients to ensure that the design, configuration and use of equipment, procedures and environmental conditions maximize safety, productivity and comfort

METHODICAL

Interest in handling equipment to conduct research

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

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.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Ergonomists need:

  • Creativity
  • Attention to detail
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • An interest in how people interact with their environments

They should enjoy:

  • Coordinating and analyzing information
  • Finding innovative approaches to problems
  • Consulting with people
  • Taking responsibility for projects
  • Bringing a systematic approach to their research
  • Working independently or with a team

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.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers

2016 NOC: 4161

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 44 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 27, 2021 and Oct 01, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Health benefits: Health care plan
Health benefits: Dental plan
Health benefits: Vision care benefits
Green Job: Involves duties and responsibilities that lead to positive environmental outcomes
Tasks: Report and document investigations and conclusions/recommendations
Team player
Other benefits: Learning/training paid by employer
Other benefits: Team building opportunities
Accurate
Flexibility
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary

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 Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Not Regulated

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.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Ergonomists work for:

  • Government departments concerned with workers’ compensation, occupational health and safety, transportation, communication, and defence
  • Research councils and institutes
  • Schools
  • Manufacturing companies, such as those that make computer equipment and office furniture
  • Processing companies (where production lines exist)
  • Heavy industrial and construction companies
  • Large corporations, such as oil and gas, utility, and telecommunications companies
  • Private consulting firms in areas such as health care and engineering

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.

Industry Concentration

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.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

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.

Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers
2021 NOC: 41400
Medium
Demand
5,900
Employed

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.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

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:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

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
2.5%
Annual Growth
(Above Average)
109
New Positions

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.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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.

Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers

2016 NOC: 4161
Average Wage
$50.28
Per Hour
Average Salary
$95,293.00
Per Year
Average Hours
36.7
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 4161 Wage Profile

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.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
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

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Oil & Gas Extraction
Construction
Manufacturing
Transportation and Warehousing
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
28%
28%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
9%
9%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
2%
2%
Vacancy Rate
2%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Engineering, Architecture and Related Studies
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
  • Physical Education and Recreation
  • Sciences
  • Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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.

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