Labor Relations Specialists
SOC code 13-1075 · O*NET-SOC 13-1075.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Business and finance
Labor Relations Specialists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$95,420
a year
Hourly
$45.87
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$98,720
$47.46 per hour
Middle 50%
$71,920 – $123,420
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$50,490 – $156,180
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
64,810
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $50,490
- $24.27/hr
- 25th percentile
- $71,920
- $34.58/hr
- Median percentile
- $95,420
- $45.87/hr
- 75th percentile
- $123,420
- $59.34/hr
- 90th percentile
- $156,180
- $75.09/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
0%
Little or no change expected
65,400
jobs in 2024
65,400
projected for 2034
About 0 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
- Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
- Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations.
- Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
- Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
- Prepare evidence for disciplinary hearings, including preparing witnesses to testify.
- Mediate discussions between employer and employee representatives in attempt to reconcile differences.
- Review employer practices or employee data to ensure compliance with contracts on matters such as wages, hours, or conditions of employment.
How to become a labor relations specialist
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 33% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree33%
- Some College Courses10%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree10%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate10%
Common questions
How much does a labor relations specialist earn?
The national median is $95,420 a year. The full range runs from $50,490 at the 10th percentile to $156,180 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a labor relations specialist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is labor relations specialist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 0% between 2024 and 2034 — little or no change expected. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.4/5
- Speaking4.3/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Personnel and Human Resources4.0/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Law and Government3.6/5
- Administration and Management3.1/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.7/5
- Computers and Electronics2.7/5
- Mathematics2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Negotiation, Persuasion, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.