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Entry Labor Relations Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Labor Relations Specialist make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Labor Relations Specialist in the United States is $65,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, an Entry Labor Relations Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,037
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,400 to $73,300
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,303

Key Factors That Influence Entry Labor Relations Specialist Salaries

An Entry Labor Relations Specialist'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Labor Relations Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Labor Relations Specialist'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:

  • Entry Labor Relations Specialist (0-2 years): $65,866
  • Industrial Relations Specialist II (2-4 years): $80,774
  • Industrial Relations Specialist III (4-7 years): $97,913
  • Industrial Relations Specialist IV (7+ years): $120,219
  • Industrial Relations Manager (7+ years): $135,293
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Labor Relations Specialist0-2 years$65,866
Industrial Relations Specialist II2-4 years$80,774
Industrial Relations Specialist III4-7 years$97,913
Industrial Relations Specialist IV7+ years$120,219
Industrial Relations Manager7+ years$135,293

How Do Entry Labor Relations Specialist 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 Entry Labor Relations Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $73,000.
  • California: $72,700.
  • Massachusetts: $71,700.

Top Paying Cities for Entry Labor Relations Specialists

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: $83,100
  • San Francisco: $82,200
  • Oakland: $80,500

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Labor Relations Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.2% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.42% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 0.88% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.2%
Microsoft Office 1.42%
Economics 0.88%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Entry Labor Relations Specialist's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Workforce Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Employment Law: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $81,057
23%
Workforce Planning $77,762
18%
Employment Law $75,126
14%

Entry Labor Relations Specialist Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Labor Relations Specialist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $73,646. While startup companies pay approximate $62,297.

Entry Labor Relations Specialist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $62,297
Growth Stage 51~500 $65,885
Established 501~5000 $71,115
Enterprise 5000+ $73,646

Entry Labor Relations Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Labor Relations Specialist 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 Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Entry Labor Relations Specialist positions in Software & Networking or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Labor Relations Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Entry Labor Relations Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$85,670$41.030%
Financial Services$82,375$40.025%
Biotechnology$79,080$38.020%
Internet$77,762$37.018%
Aerospace & Defense$72,490$35.010%

How Education impacts an Entry Labor Relations Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Entry Labor Relations Specialists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Entry Labor Relations Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $69,979 and $76,615).

Entry Labor Relations Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Entry Labor Relations Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.2%
High School 8.2%
Associates 6.1%
Bachelors 40.8%
Masters 30.6%
Doctorate 14.3%

Entry Labor Relations Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Labor Relations Specialist'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
$61,400
Average $65,900/year
$73,300
$5,117
Average $5,492/month
$6,108
$1,181
Average $1,267/week
$1,410
$30
Average $32/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $73,300 $6,108 $1,410 $35
Average $65,900 $5,492 $1,267 $32
25th Percentile $61,400 $5,117 $1,181 $30

Entry Labor Relations Specialist Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Entry Labor Relations Specialist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Industrial Relations Specialist II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $80,800 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Entry Labor Relations Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Entry Labor Relations Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Entry Labor Relations Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Entry Labor Relations Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Labor Relations Specialist?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Labor Relations Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. How much do labor relations representatives make?

Labor Relations Specialists typically earn between $62,400 and $82,200 annually, with a median salary of $73,500. While some regions may offer higher salaries, this range reflects the general compensation for entry-level positions in the field.

3. Is labor relations the same as HR?

Labor relations is a specialized area within human resources that deals with managing employee relations, particularly for those under collective bargaining agreements or union contracts. Entry-level Labor Relations Specialists typically earn between $62,400 and $82,200, with a median salary of $73,500, reflecting the importance of this role in maintaining workplace harmony.

4. How much does a employee relations specialist make at Glassdoor?

The estimated total pay for an Entry Labor Relations Specialist ranges from $62,400 to $82,200 per year, with a mid-salary of $73,500. These figures reflect the typical salary range for this position, based on collected data.

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

Employee Relations Specialists in the US typically earn between $62,400 and $82,200 annually, with a median salary of $73,500. This range reflects entry-level positions, while more experienced specialists may earn higher salaries.

6. What does a labor relations specialist do?

Labor relations specialists, also known as employee relations specialists, resolve employee-management disputes, negotiate labor contracts, and coordinate grievance procedures. They provide input on issues like wages, salaries, and benefits. The salary for an entry-level position ranges from $62,400 to $82,200, with a midpoint of $73,500.

7. Is employee relations above HR?

Employee relations (ER) can be viewed as a specialized area within human resources (HR). While some organizations maintain dedicated ER teams, others integrate these responsibilities into their HR functions. The salary for an Entry Labor Relations Specialist typically ranges from $62,400 to $82,200, with a midpoint of $73,500, reflecting the importance of this role in managing workplace dynamics.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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