Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Human Factors Engineer III Salary in the United States

How much does a Human Factors Engineer III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Human Factors Engineer III in the United States is $111,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

However, a Human Factors Engineer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,049
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $103,500 to $121,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $95,852
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Human Factors Engineer III Salaries

A Human Factors Engineer III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Human Factors Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Human Factors Engineer III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Human Factors Engineer II (2-4 years): $99,474
  • Human Factors Engineer III (4-7 years): $111,849
  • Human Factors Engineer IV (7+ years): $134,668
  • Human Factors Engineer V (7-10 years): $158,922
  • Human Factors Engineering Manager (10+ years): $151,328
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Human Factors Engineer II2-4 years$99,474
Human Factors Engineer III4-7 years$111,849
Human Factors Engineer IV7+ years$134,668
Human Factors Engineer V7-10 years$158,922
Human Factors Engineering Manager10+ years$151,328
View as Graph

How Do Human Factors Engineer III Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Human Factors Engineer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $123,900.
  • California: $123,400.
  • Massachusetts: $121,800.

Top Paying Cities for Human Factors Engineer IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $141,100
  • San Francisco: $139,600
  • Oakland: $136,600

What Skills Can Increase a Human Factors Engineer III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 19.26% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Software Engineering (Mentioned in 2.96% Job Postings): Software engineering is the application of engineering to the development of software in a systematic method. Notable definitions of software engineering include: "the systematic application of scientific and technological knowledge, methods, and experience to the design, implementation, testing, and documentation of software"—The Bureau of Labor Statistics—IEEE Systems and software engineering - Vocabulary "The application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software"—IEEE Standard Glossary of Software Engineering Terminology "an engineering discipline that is concerned with all aspects of software production"—Ian Sommerville "the establishment and use of sound engineering principles in order to economically obtain software that is reliable and works efficiently on real machines"—Fritz Bauer
  • Product Strategy (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): Product strategy is defined as the road map of a product. This road map outlines the end-to-end vision of the product, particulars on achieving the product strategy and the big picture context in terms of what the product will become. Companies utilise the product strategy in strategic planning and marketing to identify the direction of the company's activities. The product strategy is composed of a variety of sequential process in order for the vision to be effectively achieved. The company must be clear in terms of the target market of the product in order for them to plan the activities needed in order to reach the destination and to achieve its goals.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 19.26%
Software Engineering 2.96%
Product Strategy 2.22%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Human Factors Engineer III's salary.

  • Data Visualization: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Product Strategy: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Software Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Visualization $133,161
19%
Product Strategy $130,923
17%
Software Engineering $127,566
14%
Get Latest Data

Human Factors Engineer III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Human Factors Engineer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $125,053. While startup companies pay approximate $105,782.

Human Factors Engineer III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $105,782
Growth Stage 51~500 $111,875
Established 501~5000 $120,755
Enterprise 5000+ $125,053

Human Factors Engineer III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Human Factors Engineer III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Human Factors Engineer positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Human Factors Engineer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Human Factors Engineer III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$123,090$59.010%
Business Services$123,090$59.010%
Construction$123,090$59.010%
Energy & Utilities$123,090$59.010%
Healthcare$123,090$59.010%

Human Factors Engineer III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Human Factors Engineer III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$103,500
Average $111,900/year
$121,400
$8,625
Average $9,325/month
$10,117
$1,990
Average $2,152/week
$2,335
$50
Average $54/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $121,400 $10,117 $2,335 $58
Average $111,900 $9,325 $2,152 $54
25th Percentile $103,500 $8,625 $1,990 $50

Human Factors Engineer III Salary Growth & Career Path

Human Factors Engineer III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Human Factors Engineer III, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Human Factors Engineer IV $134,700 20%
R & D Support Associate IV $131,500 18%

Most common benefits for Human Factors Engineer III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Human Factors Engineer III

Here are companies hiring for Human Factors Engineer III and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Human Factors Engineer III Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Human Factors Engineer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Human Factors Engineer III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Human Factors Engineer III?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Human Factors Engineer III roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. Is 3000 usd a good salary in usa?

For some individuals, a salary of $3,000 a month may suffice for living expenses and savings. However, considering the salary range for a Human Factors Engineer, which is between $9,483 and $11,458 monthly, $3,000 falls significantly short, especially in high-cost areas. Thus, it may not be adequate for a comfortable lifestyle in the U.S.

3. What is a level 3 pay grade?

A Level 3 pay grade typically offers a salary range that may not align with the Human Factors Engineer salaries. For this role, the minimum salary is $113,800, the mid-salary is $123,600, and the maximum salary is $137,500. This indicates a more competitive compensation compared to the Level 3 figures provided.

4. Can you make 300k a year as an engineer?

As a Human Factors Engineer, the salary typically ranges from $113,800 to $137,500, with a mid-point of $123,600. While it's possible to earn a high salary in engineering, reaching $300,000 annually would generally require advanced degrees and significant experience in specialized fields.

5. What is the job outlook for human factors engineers?

Demand for Human Factors Engineers is projected to rise, with approximately 35,600 new positions anticipated by 2029, reflecting an annual growth rate of 1.36%. Salaries for this role range from $113,800 to $137,500, with a median salary of $123,600. Join our career community today to explore opportunities in this growing field!

6. What is the job outlook for human factors engineers?

Demand for Human Factors Engineers is projected to rise, with approximately 35,600 new positions anticipated by 2029, reflecting an annual growth rate of 1.36%. Salaries for this role range from $113,800 to $137,500, with a median salary of $123,600. Join our career community today to explore opportunities in this growing field!

7. How much does a Level 3 earn in USA?

How much does a Level 3 earn in the USA? Based on current data, a Human Factors Engineer at this level can expect to earn between $113,800 and $137,500 annually, with a median salary of $123,600. This translates to approximately $54.73 to $66.09 per hour, or $9,483 to $11,458 per month.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job