Labor Relations Specialists earn a median of $95,420 per year ($45.87/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 2.1% through 2035, with about 4,800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 13-1075
- Business and Financial Operations
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Labor Relations Specialist in four numbers
- Median pay
- $95,420a year, or $45.87/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $50KTop 10% $156K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +2.1%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+2.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +2.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4,80066,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202566.3K
- Projected 203567.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 66.3K Projected 2035 67.7K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Some college9.5%
- Associate's9.5%
- Bachelor's33.3%
- Post-bacc certificate9.5%
- Master's9.5%
- Professional degree9.5%
Highest education held by labor relations specialists Segment Value Some college 9.5% Associate's 9.5% Bachelor's 33.3% Post-bacc certificate 9.5% Master's 9.5% Professional degree 9.5%
Also advertised as: Business Agent, Business Representative, Grievance Manager, Labor Relations Specialist, Labor Specialist.
Pay
How much do Labor Relations Specialists make?
Every labor relations specialist in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$95,420
Middle half earn $71,920 to $123,420
- 10th
- $50,490
- 25th
- $71,920
- 75th
- $123,420
- 90th
- $156,180
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $50,490 |
| 25th | $71,920 |
| Median | $95,420 |
| 75th | $123,420 |
| 90th | $156,180 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $95,420
- Median hourly wage
- $45.87/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $98,720
- People employed
- 64,810
Versus all US occupations
At $95,420, Labor Relations Specialists earn 87% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $44,440 a year.
Versus business and financial operations occupations
Inside the Business and Financial Operations group, where the middle occupation pays $80,730, this is 18% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $156,180 or more while the bottom 10% earn $50,490, a gap of 3.1×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 69% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
New Jersey posts the highest raw median ($118,370), but once local prices are taken into account North Dakota leads at $113,783 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Labor Relations Specialists the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New Jersey | $118,370 | $108,791 | 3,700 |
| 2District of Columbia | $115,600 | $105,186 | 160 |
| 3Massachusetts | $111,260 | $105,203 | 1,660 |
| 4California | $105,810 | $95,565 | 8,830 |
| 5Illinois | $104,180 | $104,224 | 3,670 |
| 6Washington | $104,100 | $97,278 | 2,760 |
| 7North Dakota | $101,220 | $113,783 | 90 |
| 8Minnesota | $100,760 | $102,169 | 1,710 |
| 9New York | $100,500 | $93,124 | 6,860 |
| 10Virginia | $98,730 | $97,652 | 990 |
Job outlook
Is Labor Relations Specialist a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +2.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Labor Relations Specialists | +2.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Labor Relations Specialists to change 2.1% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,400 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 4,800 openings are projected each year, 7.2% of the 66,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Despite limited employment growth, about 4,800 openings for labor relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
If union membership rates remain stable or decline, overall demand for these specialists will be limited. However, there will still be some need for labor relations specialists’ expertise as union negotiations and contract disputes continue.
Getting in
How to become a Labor Relations Specialist
To enter the occupation, these specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in labor and industrial relations, human resources, business, or a related field. Specialists also may need several years of experience in a related occupation.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as labor relations specialists.
- Bachelor's Degree33.3%
- Some College Courses9.5%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree9.5%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate9.5%
- Master's Degree9.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 33.3% |
| Some College Courses | 9.5% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 9.5% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 9.5% |
| Master's Degree | 9.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Labor Relations Specialist do?
Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
Labor relations specialists (also called employee relations specialists) resolve employee-management disputes, negotiate labor contracts, and coordinate grievance procedures regarding worker complaints. They may offer input on issues such as wages and salaries, nonwage benefits, and union or management practices.
Day-to-day tasks
- Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
- Research case law or outcomes of previous case hearings.
- Review employer practices or employee data to ensure compliance with contracts on matters such as wages, hours, or conditions of employment.
- Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
- Call or meet with union, company, government, or other interested parties to discuss labor relations matters, such as contract negotiations or grievances.
- Select mediators or arbitrators for labor disputes or contract negotiations.
- Mediate discussions between employer and employee representatives in attempt to reconcile differences.
- Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most labor relations specialists work full time. They sometimes work for long periods, such as when preparing for meetings or settling disputes.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where labor relations specialists work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Labor unions and similar labor organizations72%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals4%
- Management of companies and enterprises3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Labor unions and similar labor organizations | 72% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 4% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.4
- Speaking4.3
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Writing4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning3.5
- Monitoring3.4
- Learning Strategies3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.4 |
| Speaking | 4.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.5 |
| Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Negotiation4.1
- Persuasion3.9
- Social Perceptiveness3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Coordination3.4
- Service Orientation3.4
- Time Management3.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Negotiation | 4.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Coordination | 3.4 |
| Service Orientation | 3.4 |
| Time Management | 3.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Application server software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Human resources software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Labor Relations Specialist?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Labor Relations Specialist |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 1 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 6 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around leading, persuading, selling and making decisions, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Enterprising5.7
- Conventional4.6
- Social3.7
- Investigative3.1
- Artistic1.7
- Realistic1.3
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Labor Relations Specialist
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More business and financial operations careers
Median annual pay, with labor relations specialists highlighted
- Financial Advisor$105,070
- Labor Relations Specialist$95,420
- Accountant$83,680
- Insurance Underwriter$81,370
- Coroner$80,730
- Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator$78,000
- Loan Officer$76,690
- Human Resources Specialist$75,940
- Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate$67,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor | $105,070 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $95,420 |
| Accountant | $83,680 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $81,370 |
| Coroner | $80,730 |
| Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator | $78,000 |
| Loan Officer | $76,690 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,940 |
| Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate | $67,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Labor Relations Specialist appears on
Questions
Labor Relations Specialist: frequently asked questions
How much do Labor Relations Specialists make?
Labor Relations Specialists earn a median of $95,420 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 87% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $45.87/hr. The middle half earn between $71,920 and $123,420. The top 10% earn $156,180 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Labor Relations Specialist?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Labor Relations Specialists, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. Employers typically expect less than 5 years of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 33.3% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Labor Relations Specialist a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 2.1% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 4,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Labor Relations Specialist do?
Labor relations specialists (also called employee relations specialists) resolve employee-management disputes, negotiate labor contracts, and coordinate grievance procedures regarding worker complaints. A core O*NET task: investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability. Employers most often ask for Application server software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Which states pay Labor Relations Specialists the most?
The highest state medians for Labor Relations Specialists are New Jersey ($118,370), District of Columbia ($115,600), Massachusetts ($111,260) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $113,783.
What personality type suits a Labor Relations Specialist?
O*NET scores Labor Relations Specialists highest on the Enterprising, Conventional and Social interest areas, so the work mixes leading, persuading, selling and making decisions with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.