Salary Report Not So Grim for Ergonomists
About 30 percent of respondents in the 2009 Salary Survey by HFES said they have made or expect to make layoffs of soon will impose a hiring freeze.
If you have some spare cash or a keen need to know, the 2009 Salary Survey became available May 20 from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. This survey was the first time since HFES began surveying its members that it asked about the employment environment for human factors/ergonomics professionals.
HFES said 613 members' responses are explained in 20 tables that include mean pay by region, summary of total pay by time in position, and more.
The society offers the 40-page report in PDF format delivered via e-mail to members for $50 and non-members for $300. It is free to survey respondents.
Results HFES revealed May 20 include these:
- About 30 percent of respondents indicate they anticipate making or have made layoffs/terminations or will institute a hiring freeze in the near future.
- About one-fourth of respondents are planning a salary freeze, but only 13 percent will reduce benefits. A third of respondents will reduce or eliminate employees' travel budget or benefits.
- Twelve respondents reported they are hiring human factors/ergonomics staffers.