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Labor Relations Specialist Salary in 2026

Labor relations specialists manage relationships between organizations and labor unions, handling collective bargaining, grievances, and contract negotiations. They ensure compliance with labor laws.

Median Salary

$76,000

$6,333/mo

Entry Level

$50,000

starting pay

Senior Level

$101,000

experienced

Job Growth

+3%

10-yr outlook

Labor Relations Specialist Overview

Labor relations specialists manage relationships between organizations and labor unions, handling collective bargaining, grievances, and contract negotiations. They ensure compliance with labor laws.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Experience

3-5 years

Industry

Human Resources

Total Jobs (US)

90K

5-Year Growth

+14%

Category

Human Resources

Hourly Rate

$36.54/hr

Monthly Pay

$6,333

Labor Relations Specialist Salary Calculator

Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Labor Relations Specialist salary in your area.

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

Estimated Labor Relations Specialist Salary

$84,000

$7,000/month · $3,231/biweekly · $40.38/hr

Labor Relations Specialist Salary Range

Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Labor Relations Specialist field.

25th Percentile$60,400
$60K
Median (50th)$76,000
$76K
75th Percentile$88,500
$89K
90th Percentile$113,000
$113K
Top Earners$125,000
$125K

Entry-level Labor Relations Specialists earn around $50,000, while the top 10% earn $113,000 or more.

Top Paying States for Labor Relations Specialists

StateEst. Median Salaryvs National
California$90,000+$14,000
New York$87,000+$11,000
Illinois$79,000+$3,000
Pennsylvania$76,000$0
Michigan$72,000$-4,000

Top Paying Cities for Labor Relations Specialists

CityEst. Median Salaryvs National
New York$90,000+$14,000
Los Angeles$85,000+$9,000
Chicago$80,000+$4,000
Philadelphia$78,000+$2,000
Detroit$72,000$-4,000

Required Skills & Certifications

Key Skills

Collective BargainingEmployment LawGrievance HandlingMediationContract Negotiation

Certifications

SHRM-CPPHR

Labor Relations Specialist Career Progression

Typical salary growth path for a Labor Relations Specialist from entry level to expert.

Entry Level

$50,000

0-2 years

Mid Career

$76,000

3-7 years

Senior

$101,000

8-14 years

Lead / Expert

$125,000

15+ years

EntryExpert

Labor Relations Specialist Salary FAQ

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