Ergonomics Salary: How Much An Average Consultant Can Earn

Written by Tim Rhodes Last Updated: Sep 9, 2023

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Ergonomics salary is one thing that should be talked about as money earned for work done is very important.

Ergonomics consultants make it easier for individuals to do their work by examining human movement as they associate with the work setting.

They practice their knowledge of the musculoskeletal function and how an individual interacts with their surroundings to make the office efficient and safer.

How Much An Average Consultant Can Earn

Have you ever wondered how much an ergonomic consultant could earn?

In this context, we’re telling you everything from becoming an ergonomic consultant up to basic ergonomics salary based on research and data collected.

The Role of an Ergonomic Consultant in the Business Industry

As an ergonomics consultant to any establishments, you execute a role in delivering management and the board with a better understanding of the benefits and value of ergonomics.

When this happens, good news will easily go up the corporate ladder and very quickly as well.

Also, everyone in the organization becomes enthusiastic about massive new product sales.

Whenever not-so-good news comes up, the filters are in a position to prevent those in authority from knowing the real facts until it’s too late.

That can oftentimes be the problem with workplace injuries and ailments.

To comprehensively understand how ergonomics can be beneficial to business, you need to have a basic knowledge of management.

You’d also need to know how an individual interacts with the environment.

Fundamental Knowledge in Management

Knowledge in management has two principal aspects:

1. Administering the knowledge component of business enterprises as an explicit interest of business displayed in strategy, policy, and application at any level of the organization.

Comparing this to ergonomics, you improve on an ergonomics method that suits your organization and covers the objectives, written goals, procedures, and policies for the company to understand.

This brings into consideration the background and knowledge of your workers as contributors.

2. Making a straightforward link between the company’s intellectual assets, both tacit and explicit.

In ergonomics, this can be observed as involving workers in the “team” to recognize and help in improving solutions to difficulties in the workplace.

In traditional understandings of the purpose of knowledge in business structures, tacit awareness is often seen as the real key to making things done and building new value.

Human Capital or Intellectual Asset

Human capital is a means of describing and classifying peoples’ talents and capabilities that are utilized in employment.

Some economic assumptions refer to it solely as labor, one of three elements of production, and consider it to be an easily interchangeable commodity.

Human capital is similar to the “physical way of production,” e.g. machines and factories: a person can fund in it and his/her income depends partially on the return rates on the human capital that he/she holds.

Thus, human capital is a tangible asset of business owners.

It allows an individual to acquire an income flow out from the outputs made from the workforce.

Intellectual capital depicts the data assets of any company in terms of personal information and intelligence as well as the devices that augment the usefulness of this knowledge.

A company’s intellectual capital may be classified into three factors that can be estimated and aimed for investment.

It’s also described as the entirety of everything that most people of an organization perceive.

This can often be regenerated into value or formalized, gained, and leveraged to deliver a high-value asset.

This interprets the importance of all the knowledge taken in the intelligence and experience of workers.

Thus human and intellectual capital is important for success in the business.

What is the Greatest Asset?

In a solid and prosperous ergonomics process, the whole team is trained to identify issues and report problems before having an OSHA recordable and further quality problems.

Also, the workforce is not accused of injuries, but the works themselves are evaluated and adjusted when required.

Workers are one of the most valuable and yet the greatest asset to any business.

They exhibit a set of skills that are obtained on the work through rigid pieces of training and experiences, and which improve that their worth.

By sustaining the workers’ intellectual capital, the value is raised in every company.

An ergonomics consultant provides a roadmap to cost reduction by granting the knowledge and growing the intellectual capital for all workers.

Getting Started as an Ergonomics Consultant

Ergonomics can’t be applied to businesses only, but also to every working person in an office setting.

Specialists of physical therapists make ergonomics a natural fit for executing ergonomics evaluation.

On the other hand, professionals like occupational therapists, nurses, and others who have an educational background in health can also acquire certification in ergonomics.

Moreover, let’s discover why these health professionals are fitted for this career.

Physical Therapists Can Make As Good Ergonomics Consultant

Physical therapists are motion experts and anatomists.

By using the knowledge of human anatomy and motion, ergonomists can make a better-designed task and equipment for the user.

Ergonomic consultants can advise patients on how to execute tasks like lifting, and working at the workstation, or using the equipment without stressing the whole body.

They also advise workers on how to properly use their workstations and equipment around the workers.

Proper usage of equipment can eliminate and reduce symptoms of injuries and back pain.

By following the advice provided by ergonomists, patients and people involved can set up themselves appropriately to prevent repetitive strain injuries.

Physical Therapists who could also become ergonomic consultants can use their knowledge of ergonomics to consult with business owners, government employees, and other workers in any field.

They provide some protocols and proper workplace set up to aid in lessening the rate of injuries in any time of work setting.

Certificates Needed In Becoming A Licensed Ergonomists

Getting a certification in ergonomics distinguishes professionals who have some special expertise in ergonomics.

There are various types of certifications for ergonomics which include:

• Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist (CEAS)
• Certified Ergonomic Evaluation Specialist (CEES)
• Board Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE)

To obtain one of these certifications, one must get a particular course in ergonomics.

Several professionals that supervise the certification also have a blend of online and face-to-face courses.

For several of these certifications, they expect that you get their course, pass a written examination, and accomplish two ergonomic assessments, and submit your written report.

In trying to get a certification, it depends on whom you’re planning to perform ergonomic evaluations on.

Some organization groups may prefer those with a CEAS since they exercise guidelines set out by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

A CEES adopts guidelines from OSHA, the National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) protocol.

The International Ergonomics Association (IEA) acknowledges a BCPE certification.

Other business groups aren’t precise, as long as you manifest some training and expertise in ergonomics.

If you are still questioning which certification is best, you can simply ask around.

Is there a physical therapist in your clinic who now does ergonomic evaluations?

Inquire which type of certification they now have.

If you are intrigued in obtaining certification to excel in your clinic, you need to extend your research into inquiring other physical therapists in your local area or professors from your PT institution.

Benefits Of Getting Ergonomic Certification

Conducting an ergonomic assessment allows ergonomic consultants to see how an individual functions in their work environment.

Seeing how they work will make a consultant better understand each injury and how to treat them.

Groundless to say, helping someone to get a document holder to put next to her computer screen so that she will no longer have to turn her head so far goes a long way.

Having the capability to conduct ergonomic assessments may be helpful to many people.

Each evaluation should take about a half-day to perform and make a report of.

If you are a physical therapist, having certifications as an ergonomist opens wide opportunities for you to grow your career.

You are not only helping patients at the clinic or hospitals, you’ll also be helping the corporate world.

Ultimately, this is advantageous to physical therapists as they have the basic knowledge of human anatomy.

Aside from that, with a certification in ergonomics, salary and potential earnings will surely be higher than that of a person without one.

Road to Getting An Ergonomics Certification

In getting an ergonomic certification, you’ll have to take a course like The Back School of Atlanta and Matheson which offers advanced education credits that many states now demand to sustain licensure.

Moreover, educata.com offers a course on how to formulate a work-related injury consulting practice.

With many companies offering a variety of financial assistance with advancing education, you may also be able to lessen the financial impact of the expense of the course as well.

If you are worried that you will take the course and get the certification, but never use the skill, then think twice.

The course content may include learning how some workplace injuries arise, how to fix them, and how to prevent them from further casualties.

This will aid you in your clinical practice.

Being a certified ergonomic consultant won’t only aid your patients or prospective clients, but can also support you in diversifying your workload.

You’ll earn more knowledge on how to make a workplace efficient, functional, and safe.

Besides, having the perfect skill in providing ergonomics consultation is another key factor of a physical therapist.

This will open new opportunities for non-clinical jobs along the way.

Ergonomics Consultants And Their Diversified Expertise

When it comes to service providers, business owners and insurers must be aware of the various credentials ergonomic experts have.

There are huge differences in the ergonomics certifications given in today’s marketplace emerging in notable differences in abilities, skills, knowledge, expertise, and experience.

Following the 1997 Cal-OSHA ergonomics regulation and the push for more beneficial health and wellness in the worksite, and other changes, helping individual’s capabilities working in comfort have made ergonomic services immensely prominent.

Also, many perceive ergonomics as something that’s “simple” to do as a startup venture or an additional service.

In reality, this is a professional career path that demands strong education and training.

Ergonomics consultants must guarantee successful results in aiding business owners to integrate the most appropriate ergonomics process.

This is vital to every business in any field as this would affect the worker’s efficiency, productivity, and health.

Bussines owners need to be certain they contract with a certified ergonomics consultant who can efficiently provide them with a suitable assessment and solutions for the most desirable results.

Aside from choosing a legitimate board certified industrial ergonomist (CIE), and certified professional ergonomist (CPE), several ergonomics service providers have extra credentials or specialization.

The ergonomics consultant or assessor could also be a chiropractor, occupational therapist, loss control agent, safety manager, ergonomic product sales representative, or even facility manager, and a lot more.

With so numerous people dallying in ergonomics, it’s important to clarify all the confusion.

Apart from obtaining a Master’s Degree in Human Factors and Ergonomics, there isn’t a state or national licensing body at this time to credential ergonomists.

Only nationally acknowledged non-profit board certification organizations or privately owned for-profit organizations provide certificates.

Distinctions Between Certification and Certificates

A certification program is created to examine the abilities, knowledge, and skills.

It’s also required to execute a specific work.

If the certification test is successfully passed, it signifies a declaration of an individual’s remarkable professional competence.

In most professions, certification is a necessity for practice or employment.

On the other hand, an assessment-based certificate program is a training program or educational program that is utilized to teach learning goals and evaluate whether those goals were attained by the student.

Levels Of Certification

Becoming certified is an indication of a minimum level of professional capability.

However, displaying the essential competence has meaningful variability depending on the selected credential such as the content of the course and experience in ergonomics of every individual.

While certification is vital to raise the credibility of a profession, organizations must be mindful of what each credential makes.

When comparing and choosing an ergonomics service provider, choose the highly qualified and well-experienced professional required for the ergonomics project to guarantee the most successful result.

Choosing a CIE or perhaps a CPE reassures employers and workforce they are working together with a professional ergonomics consultant who has met the most solid standards available.

Specifically, the BCPE expects candidates to hold an advanced degree in a relevant field in engineering, human factors, industrial psychology, or physical therapy.

These agencies also provide a more mid-level credential like Associate Ergonomics Professional (AEP).

Importantly, these certificate courses are accessible to any interested individual who most likely will pay the entrance fee.

Certificates are merited by attending a two-day workshop in a face-to-face or online setting.

These programs primarily offer entry-level certifications, like a freshman in high school.

These cover COES or CEAS I, CEES, and COEE.

Ergonomic Consultant Career Outlook

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tells that the employment of health and safety professionals including ergonomists is forecasted to rise by 4% nationwide from 2014 up to 2024.

Employment increases will be enormously fueled.

Due to that fact, an ergonomics consultant job only focuses on how to reduce workplace risk and injuries.

Career opportunities must be advantageous for applicants with advanced educational qualifications.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) explains ergonomics as a very adaptive job for the worker rather than pushing the worker to adjust for a job.

This suggests that work methods and any required technology and equipment are outlined to maximize the productivity and safety of employees.

The job responsibilities of an ergonomic consultant include carrying ocular inspections of worksites and equipment to identify ergonomic enhancements and risks.

While doing so, they collaborate with building administration or with construction staff to customize workspaces to achieve a risk-free work environment.

They may conduct routine inspections of workspaces to ensure continued ergonomic compliance and determine if improvements are effective.

They may also need to educate and inspire employees to embrace ergonomic practices like proper stretching and posture while sitting.

Other work responsibilities could include organizing company health fairs, making project progress reports, and conducting safety training for employees.

Ergonomists may find a job for a consulting company or as an independent consultant.

Responsibilities of an Ergonomic Consultant

Whether hired by a privately owned company or public hospitals, ergonomic consultants conduct different tasks in their daily work.

They consult with potential clients in various ways in controlling workplace risks and hazards to create a safer, productive, and efficient working environment.

Ergonomic consultants also conduct ergonomic evaluations to organizations by examining, observing, interpreting, and documenting staffs’ motions and repetitive actions.

In that way, they may able to present the most suitable recommendations to their prospective clients.

They can also train their client’s staff on appropriate methods and proper body positioning to prevent further injuries from likely happen.

Ergonomics consultants can develop or perform research for insurance underwriters and government agencies.

Preparing a documented report based on their findings and keeping proper data are also common job functions.

Some experts predict events such as making a decision or behavior by examining groups or individuals and quantitative analysis to data.

Collaboration with other professionals such as engineers, designers, and clients is oftentimes part of an ergonomics consultant’s job.

What Else Can They Potentially Do?

Ergonomics consultant ensures the safety and efficiency of several equipment and systems in the workplace.

They adopt scientific information to guarantee the health condition, comfort, and safety of every worker who uses office tools and equipment.

Ergonomics consultants work in diverse environments.

Many businesses and manufacturers hire ergonomics consultants to prevent risks and injuries to their workers.

They usually work with office staff, plant employees, field safety groups, and many others.

They are often fully knowledgeable about human anatomy.

They need to design safe and comfortable work settings in business and trade areas.

To research and find solutions to ergonomic issues, they question individuals and examine what they do in a specific environment.

After examination, they often create reports of findings.

They must then create practical solutions to enhance workers’ conditions.

They train workers and provide recommendations on how to properly use the equipment for their job.

They respond to inquiries from workers regarding matters relevant to ergonomics.

Potential Earnings of Ergonomics Consultant

All over the US, safety specialists and occupational health had an average yearly wage of $72,480 as of 2016 in May, as recorded by BLS statistics.

Earnings for the top 10% in this career classification surpassed $104,460 annually.

Recent bachelor’s graduates will commonly set out toward the cheaper end of the range and can raise their potential earnings with advanced education, certification, and experience.

Dated Aug 9, 2021, the average yearly pay for an ergonomic consultant in the U.S. is $75,120 annually.

For someone working in ergonomics, the salary gotten at the end of the year in your locality is typically around $75,120.

Therefore, the annual wage of ergonomic consultants ranks first out of 50 states in the U.S.

Final Thoughts

Aside from knowing their core responsibilities, it’s important you also bear in mind other things like ergonomics salary and yearly pay.

In ergonomics, salary earnings are often proportional to the type of certification held and the experience such a consultant has in the field.

It’s also their obligation to continuously read professional journals related to this field.

Hiring management requires potential candidates to have a background in engineering, ergonomic, or related fields.

Having any previous job experience as an ergonomics consultant will surely give you an edge over others.