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Employee Relations Specialist III Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Employee Relations Specialist III in the United States is $100,556 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $117,928
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $90,585 to $109,649
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,507
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Employee Relations Specialist III Salaries

An Employee Relations Specialist III'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 III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Employee Relations Specialist III'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 IIIs 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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $111,336.
  • California: $110,913.
  • Massachusetts: $109,435.

Top Paying Cities for Employee Relations Specialist III

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: $126,831
  • San Francisco: $125,443
  • Oakland: $122,799

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 4.04% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Case Management (Mentioned in 1.89% Job Postings): Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
  • HRIS (Mentioned in 0.79% Job Postings): HRIS is a management system designed specifically to provide managers with information to make HR decisions. Is a system that lets you keep track of all your employees and information about them.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 4.04%
Case Management 1.89%
HRIS 0.79%
See More Skills

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 III's salary.

  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • HRIS: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Labor Relations: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis $113,628
13%
HRIS $112,623
12%
Labor Relations $111,617
11%
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Employee Relations Specialist III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Employee Relations Specialist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $112,567. While startup companies pay approximate $95,229.

Employee Relations Specialist III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $95,229
Growth Stage 51~500 $100,716
Established 501~5000 $108,703
Enterprise 5000+ $112,567

Employee Relations Specialist III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Employee Relations Specialist III 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 Biotechnology and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Employee Relations Specialist positions in Aerospace & Defense or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Employee Relations Specialist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Employee Relations Specialist III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$110,612$53.010%

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

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Employee Relations Specialist III 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 III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $97,547 and $103,571.

Employee Relations Specialist III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Employee Relations Specialist III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.2%
High School 6.2%
Associates 2.5%
Bachelors 55.6%
Masters 33.3%
Doctorate 2.5%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Employee Relations Specialist III'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
$90,585
Average $100,556/year
$109,649
$7,549
Average $8,380/month
$9,137
$1,742
Average $1,934/week
$2,109
$44
Average $48/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $109,649 $9,137 $2,109 $53
Average $100,556 $8,380 $1,934 $48
25th Percentile $90,585 $7,549 $1,742 $44

Employee Relations Specialist III Salary Growth & Career Path

Employee Relations Specialist III

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Advancement

For an Employee Relations Specialist III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Employee Relations Specialist IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $114,642 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Employee Relations Specialist III

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

Common company salaries for Employee Relations Specialist III

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

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FAQ about Employee Relations Specialist III

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

An Employee Relations Specialist III'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 III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Employee Relations Specialist III is $126,831.

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

The highest pay for Employee Relations Specialist III is $117,928.

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

The lowest pay for Employee Relations Specialist III is $81,507.

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

Designs and administers human resources policies and procedures that pertain to employee relations. Researches and analyzes data pertaining to human resources. Helps develop and implement programs aimed at increasing employee satisfaction. Identifies and analyzes complex employee relations issues and possible resolutions. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience.

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Employee Relations Specialist III roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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