Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
Labor Relations Specialists
SOC: 13-1075 O*NET: 13-1075.00
Median Salary
$93,500
per year
Job Growth
📉 -0.1%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
What does a Labor Relations Specialists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$49,880
10th percentile
Early Career
$67,670
25th percentile
Median
$93,500
50th percentile
Experienced
$123,090
75th percentile
Top Earners
$153,440
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$49,880
25th
$67,670
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$93,500
Mean: $97,130
75th
$123,090
90th
$153,440
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $103,560 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $67,670 and $123,090
- •Salary spread is 59.3% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 64,590 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:65,400
Top Industries
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations78.4%
Other Services (except Public Administration)78.4%
Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations78.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-0.1%
Annual Openings:5,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)65,400
Current
2034 (Projected)65,400
-0.1%
-100
Employment Change
-0.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Labor Relations Specialists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
9,170 jobs$105,3201.21x
New York
6,990 jobs$98,2001.75x
Ohio
4,080 jobs$76,8101.76x
Illinois
3,720 jobs$95,0801.46x
Pennsylvania
3,500 jobs$79,3301.39x
New Jersey
2,920 jobs$118,9401.64x
Washington
2,780 jobs$108,1101.88x
Indiana
2,630 jobs$81,8201.97x
Texas
2,570 jobs$77,7500.44x
Michigan
2,420 jobs$78,6001.31x
Wisconsin
2,010 jobs$85,6201.64x
Florida
1,840 jobs$76,4900.45x
Massachusetts
1,680 jobs$97,4901.10x
Minnesota
1,660 jobs$95,6401.35x
Connecticut
1,150 jobs$96,7101.63x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Negotiation
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Persuasion
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Negotiation
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Persuasion
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Negotiation
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Persuasion
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products100%
5 shared skills
Lawyers100%
5 shared skills
Advertising Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators82%
5 shared skills
Chief Sustainability Officers82%
5 shared skills
Fundraising Managers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Negotiation
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Persuasion
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Negotiation
- ✓Writing
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Labor Relations Specialists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Kubernetes
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechServiceNow
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Kubernetes
Microsoft Access
ServiceNow
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Oracle PeopleSoft
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Management & Supervision (1)General Responsibilities (14)Analysis & Evaluation (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Communication & Coordination (2)
1
Advise management on matters related to the administration of contracts or employee discipline or grievance procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision100% perform100%
2
Call or meet with union, company, government, or other interested parties to discuss labor relations matters, such as contract negotiations or grievances.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Draft rules or regulations to govern collective bargaining activities in collaboration with company, government, or employee representatives.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Identify alternatives to proposals of unions, employees, companies, or government agencies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Mediate discussions between employer and employee representatives in attempt to reconcile differences.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Monitor company or workforce adherence to labor agreements.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on management & supervision activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Labor Relations Specialists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Labor Relations Specialists professionals typically have a ECS Holland code and highly value achievement
EEnterprising
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Labor Relations Specialists
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.38
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.33
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.29
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.10
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.05
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.00
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.4
Dependability
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
Cooperation
4.1
Initiative
4.0
Stress Tolerance
4.0
Persistence
4.0
Analytical Thinking
4.0
Self-Control
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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