What is a Labor Relations Specialist?
Job Description: Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
List of Labor Relations Specialist Job Duties
- Call or meet with union, company, government, or other interested parties to discuss labor relations matters, such as contract negotiations or grievances.
- Present the position of the company or of labor during arbitration or other labor negotiations.
- Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
- Advise management on matters related to the administration of contracts or employee discipline or grievance procedures.
- Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
- Train managers or supervisors on topics related to labor relations, such as working conditions, safety, or equal opportunity practices.
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Qualities of a Labor Relations Specialist
Below is a list of the skills most Labor Relations Specialists say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Types of Labor Relations Specialist
- Industrial Relations Worker
- Labor Conciliator
- Labor Relations Director
- Employer Relations Specialist
- Labor Relations Consultant
Is There Job Demand for Labor Relations Specialists?
There were about 81,100 jobs for Labor Relations Specialist in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Labor Relations Specialist. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 6,800 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Labor Relations Specialist are Georgia, Maryland, and Louisiana. Watch out if you plan on working in Ohio, Vermont, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Labor Relations Specialist Make?
Labor Relations Specialists make between $19,270 and $123,340 a year.

Labor Relations Specialists who work in New Jersey, North Dakota, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
How much do Labor Relations Specialists make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $42,590 |
Alaska | $83,200 |
Arizona | $71,400 |
Arkansas | $49,660 |
California | $80,270 |
Colorado | $76,620 |
Connecticut | $63,230 |
District of Columbia | $89,420 |
Florida | $62,580 |
Georgia | $61,620 |
Hawaii | $76,140 |
Idaho | $54,040 |
Illinois | $58,620 |
Indiana | $66,520 |
Iowa | $62,690 |
Kansas | $55,300 |
Kentucky | $57,460 |
Louisiana | $49,920 |
Maine | $79,850 |
Maryland | $83,860 |
Massachusetts | $72,500 |
Michigan | $72,320 |
Minnesota | $74,490 |
Mississippi | $68,590 |
Missouri | $55,240 |
Montana | $52,570 |
Nebraska | $51,040 |
Nevada | $72,870 |
New Hampshire | $63,830 |
New Jersey | $117,470 |
New Mexico | $64,350 |
New York | $85,870 |
North Carolina | $59,290 |
North Dakota | $94,440 |
Ohio | $47,600 |
Oklahoma | $65,460 |
Oregon | $85,820 |
Pennsylvania | $78,320 |
Rhode Island | $67,720 |
South Carolina | $64,410 |
Tennessee | $64,020 |
Texas | $69,310 |
Utah | $47,250 |
Vermont | $70,250 |
Virginia | $65,280 |
Washington | $77,070 |
West Virginia | $41,930 |
Wisconsin | $42,650 |
Wyoming | $61,600 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Labor Relations Specialists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Labor Relations Specialists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Oracle PeopleSoft
Becoming a Labor Relations Specialist
What kind of Labor Relations Specialist requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Labor Relations Specialists Work?

Below are examples of industries where Labor Relations Specialists work:

References:
Image Credit: Arunkumar Umapathy via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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