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Employee Relations Specialist II Salary in the United States

How much does an Employee Relations Specialist II make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Employee Relations Specialist II in the United States is $82,972 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,537
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,421 to $88,502
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,725
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Employee Relations Specialist II Salaries

An Employee Relations Specialist II'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 Employee Relations Specialist II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Employee Relations Specialist II'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 Relations Specialist I (0-2 years): $64,324
  • Employee Relations Specialist II (2-4 years): $82,972
  • Employee Relations Specialist III (4-7 years): $100,556
  • Employee Relations Specialist IV (7+ years): $114,642
  • Employee Relations Manager (7+ years): $123,342
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Employee Relations Specialist I0-2 years$64,324
Employee Relations Specialist II2-4 years$82,972
Employee Relations Specialist III4-7 years$100,556
Employee Relations Specialist IV7+ years$114,642
Employee Relations Manager7+ years$123,342
View as Graph

How Do Employee Relations Specialist IIs 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 Relations Specialist IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $91,867.
  • California: $91,518.
  • Massachusetts: $90,298.

Top Paying Cities for Employee Relations Specialist II

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: $104,653
  • San Francisco: $103,507
  • Oakland: $101,325

What Skills Can Increase an Employee Relations Specialist II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Initiative (Mentioned in 3.72% Job Postings): Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
  • Food Safety (Mentioned in 2.45% Job Postings): Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.
  • Labor Relations (Mentioned in 1.1% Job Postings): Is the term used to define the process between employers and employees, management and unions in order to make decisions in organizations. The decisions taken refer to wages, working conditions, hours of work, and safety at work, security and grievances.
Skills Demand Percentage
Initiative 3.72%
Food Safety 2.45%
Labor Relations 1.1%
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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 Employee Relations Specialist II's salary.

  • Organizational Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Labor Relations: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Analytical Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Organizational Management $90,439
9%
Labor Relations $87,950
6%
Analytical Skills $87,950
6%
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Employee Relations Specialist II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Employee Relations Specialist II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $92,882. While startup companies pay approximate $78,576.

Employee Relations Specialist II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $78,576
Growth Stage 51~500 $83,104
Established 501~5000 $89,694
Enterprise 5000+ $92,882

Employee Relations Specialist II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Employee Relations Specialist II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Employee Relations Specialist positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Employee Relations Specialist II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Employee Relations Specialist II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$103,715$50.025%
Software & Networking$101,226$49.022%
Aerospace & Defense$95,418$46.015%
Internet$95,418$46.015%
Energy & Utilities$91,269$44.010%

How Education impacts an Employee Relations Specialist II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Employee Relations Specialist II enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Employee Relations Specialist II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $78,978 and $83,871.

Employee Relations Specialist II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Employee Relations Specialist II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.8%
High School 10.8%
Associates 6.5%
Bachelors 43.0%
Masters 35.5%
Doctorate 4.3%
View as Graph

Employee Relations Specialist II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Employee Relations Specialist II'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 August 01, 2026
$73,421
Average $82,972/year
$88,502
$6,118
Average $6,914/month
$7,375
$1,412
Average $1,596/week
$1,702
$35
Average $40/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $88,502 $7,375 $1,702 $43
Average $82,972 $6,914 $1,596 $40
25th Percentile $73,421 $6,118 $1,412 $35

Employee Relations Specialist II Salary Growth & Career Path

Employee Relations Specialist II

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Advancement

For an Employee Relations Specialist II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Employee Relations Specialist III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $100,556 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Employee Relations Specialist II

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

Common company salaries for Employee Relations Specialist II

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

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FAQ about Employee Relations Specialist II

1. Where can an Employee Relations Specialist II earn the most?

An Employee Relations Specialist II's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Employee Relations Specialist II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Employee Relations Specialist II is $104,653.

2. What is the highest pay for Employee Relations Specialist II?

The highest pay for Employee Relations Specialist II is $93,537.

3. What is the lowest pay for Employee Relations Specialist II?

The lowest pay for Employee Relations Specialist II is $64,725.

4. What are the responsibilities of Employee Relations Specialist II?

Administers human resources policies and procedures that pertain to employee relations. Researches and analyzes data pertaining to human resources. Implements programs to increase employee satisfaction. Helps identify and analyze any employee relations issues and possible resolutions. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Employee Relations Specialist II?

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

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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