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Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist in the United States is $80,780 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $92,587
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,440 to $86,960
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,936

Key Factors That Influence Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist Salaries

An Intermediate 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 Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate 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
  • Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist (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
Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist2-4 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 Intermediate 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 Intermediate Labor Relations Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $89,440.
  • California: $89,100.
  • Massachusetts: $87,910.

Top Paying Cities for Intermediate 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: $101,890
  • San Francisco: $100,770
  • Oakland: $98,650

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 4.38% 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 1.86% Job Postings): Creating an agreement to legally binding terms to obtain favorable results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.19% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.38%
Contract Negotiation 1.86%
Microsoft Office 1.19%

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 Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist's salary.

  • Employment Law: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Consulting Services: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Employment Law $89,666
11%
Consulting Services $87,242
8%
Partnering $87,242
8%

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

Intermediate 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 $90,275. While startup companies pay approximate $76,363.

Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $76,363
Growth Stage 51~500 $80,762
Established 501~5000 $87,172
Enterprise 5000+ $90,275

Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$88,858$43.010%
Biotechnology$88,858$43.010%
Business Services$88,858$43.010%
Chemicals$88,858$43.010%
Construction$88,858$43.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate 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 Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $85,655 and $92,021).

Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.9%
High School 5.9%
Associates 29.4%
Bachelors 64.7%
Masters 29.4%
Doctorate 0.0%

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

Understanding how an Intermediate 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
$71,440
Average $80,780/year
$86,960
$5,953
Average $6,732/month
$7,247
$1,374
Average $1,553/week
$1,672
$34
Average $39/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $86,960 $7,247 $1,672 $42
Average $80,780 $6,732 $1,553 $39
25th Percentile $71,440 $5,953 $1,374 $34

Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Industrial Relations Specialist III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $98,000 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist

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

Common company salaries for Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist

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

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FAQ about Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. What is the career path of an employee relations specialist?

Employee Relations Specialists often start as HR generalists, gaining experience in areas like employee engagement and conflict resolution. With specialization, they may advance to roles such as Employee Relations Coordinators, focusing on policy interpretation and employee advocacy. Salaries for this role range from $79,060 to $102,700, with a midpoint of $88,860.

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

Employee Relations Specialists in the U.S. earn between $79,060 and $102,700 annually, with a median salary of approximately $88,860. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and industry, reflecting the diverse nature of the role across different sectors.

4. Where do labor relations specialists work?

Labor relations specialists typically work in organizations with unionized workforces, helping to protect workers' rights and negotiate better pay. Their expertise is crucial in ensuring fair labor practices. Salaries for these specialists range from $79,060 to $102,700, with a median salary of $88,860, reflecting the importance of their role in enhancing employee compensation and workplace conditions.

5. Who is the highest paid specialist?

The highest-paid specialist in the realm of labor relations is the Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist, with a maximum salary of $102,700. This role involves managing complex labor issues and requires a deep understanding of labor laws and regulations. The average salary for this position is around $88,860, reflecting its importance in organizational dynamics.

6. What is the average salary for a specialist in the US?

The average salary for an Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist in the US ranges from $79,060 to $102,700 per year, with a mid-salary of $88,860. This reflects the competitive compensation for specialists in this field, highlighting the value of their expertise and experience.

7. Who is the manager of labor relations for the post office?

Thomas Blum was named vice president of Labor Relations in January 2023, a position he has held since March 2022. He reports to the Deputy Postmaster General and chief human resources officer. The salary range for an Intermediate Labor Relations Specialist in this field is between $79,060 and $102,700, with a midpoint of $88,860.

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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