Civil Engineer vs Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher: Career Comparison
Choosing between Civil Engineer and Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher? This side-by-side compares salary, outlook, education, skills, and what the work actually looks like day-to-day. Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher typically pays more at the median. Both are research-backed Qoollege career guides — read either in full below.
Side-by-side
Higher salary ceiling: Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher. Faster projected growth: Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher. Same education level: no.
| Attribute | Civil Engineer | Human Factors Engineer / UX Researcher |
|---|---|---|
| Salary range | $60k – $118k | $95k – $165k |
| Outlook & demand | High · +5% by 2034 | High · +18% by 2034 |
| Education level | Bachelor | Master |
| Top skills | Problem-solving, Math, Design, Teamwork, Attention to detail | User Research, Statistics, Communication, Usability Testing, Empathy |
| Where they work | engineering firms, construction companies, government agencies, transportation, water resources, public works, consulting services | tech companies, consumer electronics, healthcare, transportation, telecommunications, consulting firms, government agencies, software companies, product teams, research labs |
| Day-to-day work | Daily work in civil engineering is a mix of design, analysis, coordination, and field checks. Some hours are spent at a desk reviewing plans, writing documents, and running calculations, while other hours may be on construction sites checking progress, safety, and compliance. | Daily work usually mixes interviews, usability tests, data analysis, and teamwork. Some projects focus on understanding people before a product is built, while others check whether an existing product is actually working for users. |
| Education routes | Bachelor's in civil engineering; Bachelor's in related engineering field; Work after degree + PE licensure; Specialized master's after the bachelor's | 4-year degree; Master's degree; Bootcamp / certificate route; Self-taught / adjacent-role pivot |
| Projected growth | +5% | +18% |