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Industrial Relations Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Industrial Relations Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Industrial Relations Manager in the United States is $135,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $143,706
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,900 to $139,700
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,790

Key Factors That Influence Industrial Relations Manager Salaries

An Industrial Relations Manager'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 Industrial Relations Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Industrial Relations Manager'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:

  • Industrial Relations Specialist III (4-7 years): $97,913
  • Industrial Relations Specialist IV (7+ years): $120,219
  • Industrial Relations Manager (7+ years): $135,293
  • Director of Industrial Relations (7+ years): $153,413
  • Chief Labor Relations Officer (7+ years): $207,633
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Industrial Relations Specialist III4-7 years$97,913
Industrial Relations Specialist IV7+ years$120,219
Industrial Relations Manager7+ years$135,293
Director of Industrial Relations7+ years$153,413
Chief Labor Relations Officer7+ years$207,633

Top Paying Cities for Industrial Relations Managers

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: $170,700
  • San Francisco: $168,800
  • Oakland: $165,300

What Skills Can Increase an Industrial Relations Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 4.93% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Contract Negotiation (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Creating an agreement to legally binding terms to obtain favorable results.
  • PowerPoint (Mentioned in 1.01% Job Postings): A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.93%
Contract Negotiation 2.06%
PowerPoint 1.01%

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 Industrial Relations Manager's salary.

  • Practice Management: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Performance Review: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Practice Management $156,948
16%
Innovation $148,830
10%
Performance Review $144,771
7%

Industrial Relations Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Industrial Relations Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $151,203. While startup companies pay approximate $127,903.

Industrial Relations Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $127,903
Growth Stage 51~500 $135,270
Established 501~5000 $146,006
Enterprise 5000+ $151,203

Industrial Relations Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Industrial Relations Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 75% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Industrial Relations Manager positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Industrial Relations Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Industrial Relations Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$169,125$81.025%
Biotechnology$162,360$78.020%
Insurance$155,595$75.015%
Telecom$155,595$75.015%
Chemicals$148,830$72.010%

How Education impacts an Industrial Relations Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Industrial Relations Managers 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 Industrial Relations Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $137,879 and $148,936).

Industrial Relations Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Industrial Relations Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 2.2%
Associates 4.4%
Bachelors 34.1%
Masters 30.8%
Doctorate 27.5%

Industrial Relations Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Industrial Relations Manager'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
$120,900
Average $135,300/year
$139,700
$10,075
Average $11,275/month
$11,642
$2,325
Average $2,602/week
$2,687
$58
Average $65/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $139,700 $11,642 $2,687 $67
Average $135,300 $11,275 $2,602 $65
25th Percentile $120,900 $10,075 $2,325 $58

Industrial Relations Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Industrial Relations Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Director of Industrial Relations role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $153,500 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Industrial Relations Manager

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

Common company salaries for Industrial Relations Manager

Here are companies hiring for Industrial Relations Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Industrial Relations Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Industrial Relations Manager?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Industrial Relations Manager roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. What is the difference between HR and industrial relations?

The difference between industrial relations and human resource management lies in their focus. Industrial relations centers on fostering relationships among stakeholders, while human resource management is concerned with effectively managing the workforce within an organization. For those in industrial relations management, salaries typically range from $126,300 to $165,800, with a midpoint of $146,600.

3. How much a manager gets paid in USA?

In the USA, an Industrial Relations Manager typically earns an annual salary ranging from $126,300 to $165,800. The average salary is around $146,600, translating to a monthly pay of approximately $10,525. This reflects the specialized nature of the role and the importance of effective industrial relations in organizations.

4. How much do relationship managers earn?

The salary for an Industrial Relations Manager typically ranges from $10,525 to $13,817 per month, with a minimum salary of $126,300, a mid-salary of $146,600, and a maximum salary of $165,800 annually. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field.

5. How much do industrial labor relations make?

As of now, the salary for an Industrial Relations Manager ranges from a minimum of $126,300 to a maximum of $165,800, with a mid-range salary of $146,600. This reflects the current compensation trends in the field, indicating a competitive salary for professionals in this role.

6. How many hours do PR managers work?

PR managers typically work a standard schedule of at least 40 hours per week, often with additional overtime. Their salaries range from $126,300 to $165,800, with a median salary of $146,600, reflecting the demands and responsibilities of the role.

7. How much do industrial and labor relations jobs pay?

Industrial Relations Manager salaries range from $126,300 to $165,800, with a median salary of $146,600. These professionals provide guidance and support to managers and employees on employee relations issues and disciplinary matters, ensuring a harmonious workplace environment.

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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