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Employee Communications Specialist IV Salary in the United States

How much does an Employee Communications Specialist IV make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Employee Communications Specialist IV in the United States is $117,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $56.

However, an Employee Communications Specialist IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $134,685
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $109,200 to $126,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $101,825
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Key Factors That Influence Employee Communications Specialist IV Salaries

An Employee Communications Specialist IV's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Employee Communications Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Employee Communications Specialist IV's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Employee Communications Specialist II (2-4 years): $71,612
  • Employee Communications Specialist III (4-7 years): $98,290
  • Employee Communications Specialist IV (7+ years): $117,291
  • Employee Communications Specialist V (7-10 years): $146,904
  • Employee Engagement and Communications Team Lead (10+ years): $105,443
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Employee Communications Specialist II2-4 years$71,612
Employee Communications Specialist III4-7 years$98,290
Employee Communications Specialist IV7+ years$117,291
Employee Communications Specialist V7-10 years$146,904
Employee Engagement and Communications Team Lead10+ years$105,443
View as Graph

How Do Employee Communications Specialist IV Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Employee Communications Specialist IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $129,900.
  • California: $129,400.
  • Massachusetts: $127,700.

Top Paying Cities for Employee Communications Specialist IVs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $148,000
  • San Francisco: $146,400
  • Oakland: $143,300

Employee Communications Specialist IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Employee Communications Specialist IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $131,088. While startup companies pay approximate $110,887.

Employee Communications Specialist IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $110,887
Growth Stage 51~500 $117,274
Established 501~5000 $126,582
Enterprise 5000+ $131,088

Employee Communications Specialist IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Employee Communications Specialist IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Employee Communications Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Employee Communications Specialist IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Employee Communications Specialist IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$146,625$70.025%
Financial Services$146,625$70.025%
Internet$140,760$68.020%
Pharmaceuticals$140,760$68.020%
Healthcare$134,895$65.015%

Employee Communications Specialist IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Employee Communications Specialist IV's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$109,200
Average $117,300/year
$126,400
$9,100
Average $9,775/month
$10,533
$2,100
Average $2,256/week
$2,431
$53
Average $56/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $126,400 $10,533 $2,431 $61
Average $117,300 $9,775 $2,256 $56
25th Percentile $109,200 $9,100 $2,100 $53

Employee Communications Specialist IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Employee Communications Specialist IV

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Advancement

For an Employee Communications Specialist IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Employee Communications Specialist V role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $147,000 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Employee Communications Specialist IV

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Employee Communications Specialist IV

Here are companies hiring for Employee Communications Specialist IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Employee Communications Specialist IV

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Employee Communications Specialist IV?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Employee Communications Specialist IV roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. What is the average salary of a US employee?

The average salary for an Employee Communications Specialist in the U.S. ranges from $106,300 to $136,700, with a midpoint of $121,500. This reflects a specialized role that typically commands higher compensation compared to the general average annual salary of $66,622 and median of $61,984, which can vary significantly by state.

3. Is employee relations above HR?

Employee relations (ER) can be viewed as a subset of human resources (HR) responsibilities. While some organizations maintain dedicated ER teams, others integrate these functions within HR. The role of an Employee Communications Specialist, which focuses on fostering effective communication, typically offers a salary range from $106,300 to $136,700, reflecting the importance of both HR and ER in organizational success.

4. What is the role of an employee relations specialist?

This position provides a broad range of professional employee relations activities, including employee consulting, training, conflict resolution, complaint investigation, policy interpretation, and the preparation and delivery of related summary reports and recommendations. The salary for this role ranges from $106,300 to $136,700, with a midpoint of $121,500.

5. How much do employee relations specialists make in the US?

Employee Communications Specialists in the US earn between $106,300 and $136,700 annually, with a median salary of $121,500. This reflects a more specialized role compared to general employee relations specialists, whose salaries typically range from $58,000 to $87,500, with top earners making around $116,500.

6. What is the career path for a communication specialist?

Communications Specialists typically start with roles in content creation, media relations, and internal communications. As they gain experience, they can advance to positions like Communications Manager, where they oversee strategic communication plans and lead teams. Salaries for this role range from $106,300 to $136,700, with a midpoint of $121,500.

7. Can you make 6 figures in communications?

Yes, you can make six figures in communications. For an Employee Communications Specialist, salaries range from a minimum of $106,300 to a mid-level of $121,500, reaching up to a maximum of $136,700. This demonstrates that high-paying communication roles can indeed command salaries well above the average.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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