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Human Factors Researcher III Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Human Factors Researcher III in the United States is $111,849 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,006
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $103,439 to $121,353
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $95,782
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Human Factors Researcher III Salaries

A Human Factors Researcher 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 Researcher III Salaries?

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

How Do Human Factors Researcher IIIs 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 Researcher IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $123,839.
  • California: $123,369.
  • Massachusetts: $121,725.

Top Paying Cities for Human Factors Researcher III

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: $141,075
  • San Francisco: $139,531
  • Oakland: $136,590

What Skills Can Increase a Human Factors Researcher 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 Researcher 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 $133,100
19%
Product Strategy $130,863
17%
Software Engineering $127,508
14%
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Human Factors Researcher III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Human Factors Researcher III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $124,996. While startup companies pay approximate $105,734.

Human Factors Researcher III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $105,734
Growth Stage 51~500 $111,824
Established 501~5000 $120,700
Enterprise 5000+ $124,996

Human Factors Researcher III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Human Factors Researcher 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 Researcher positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Human Factors Researcher III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Human Factors Researcher III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$123,034$59.010%
Business Services$123,034$59.010%
Construction$123,034$59.010%
Energy & Utilities$123,034$59.010%
Healthcare$123,034$59.010%

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

Understanding how a Human Factors Researcher 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
$103,439
Average $111,849/year
$121,353
$8,620
Average $9,321/month
$10,113
$1,989
Average $2,151/week
$2,334
$50
Average $54/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $121,353 $10,113 $2,334 $58
Average $111,849 $9,321 $2,151 $54
25th Percentile $103,439 $8,620 $1,989 $50

Human Factors Researcher III Salary Growth & Career Path

Human Factors Researcher III

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Human Factors Researcher 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 Researcher IV $134,668 20%
Research and Development Associate IV $131,403 17%

Most common benefits for Human Factors Researcher III

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

Common company salaries for Human Factors Researcher III

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

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FAQ about Human Factors Researcher III

1. Where can a Human Factors Researcher III earn the most?

A Human Factors Researcher III's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Human Factors Researcher III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Human Factors Researcher III is $141,075.

2. What is the highest pay for Human Factors Researcher III?

The highest pay for Human Factors Researcher III is $130,006.

3. What is the lowest pay for Human Factors Researcher III?

The lowest pay for Human Factors Researcher III is $95,782.

4. What are the responsibilities of Human Factors Researcher III?

Conducts research studies and activities to support the development of user-centered product designs using human factors principles, standards, and methodologies. Develops research and test protocols that incorporate design principles, regulatory requirements, and behavioral methods. Plans and facilitates usability testing sessions and user interviews to evaluate product concepts and designs, and to identify problems or additional requirements. Develops and manages data collection instruments and protocols. Analyzes quantitative and qualitative data and presents research results to technical and development teams. Requires a bachelor's degree in human factors, usability engineering, cognitive psychology. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Human Factors Researcher III?

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

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.

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