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Labor Relations Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Labor Relations Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Labor Relations Manager in the United States is $135,293 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $143,754
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $120,806 to $139,722
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $107,616
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Labor Relations Manager Salaries

A Labor 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 Labor Relations Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Labor 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:

  • Labor Relations Specialist III (4-7 years): $97,914
  • Labor Relations Specialist IV (7+ years): $120,227
  • Labor Relations Manager (7+ years): $135,293
  • Labor Relations Director (7+ years): $153,416
  • VP of Labor Relations (7+ years): $205,610
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Labor Relations Specialist III4-7 years$97,914
Labor Relations Specialist IV7+ years$120,227
Labor Relations Manager7+ years$135,293
Labor Relations Director7+ years$153,416
VP of Labor Relations7+ years$205,610
View as Graph

How Do Labor Relations Managers 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 Labor Relations Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $149,796.
  • California: $149,228.
  • Massachusetts: $147,239.

Top Paying Cities for Labor Relations Manager

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: $170,645
  • San Francisco: $168,777
  • Oakland: $165,220

What Skills Can Increase a Labor 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%
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 a Labor 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 $156,940
16%
Innovation $148,822
10%
Performance Review $144,764
7%
Get Latest Data

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

Labor Relations Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $151,453. While startup companies pay approximate $128,125.

Labor Relations Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $128,125
Growth Stage 51~500 $135,508
Established 501~5000 $146,254
Enterprise 5000+ $151,453

Labor Relations Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Labor 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, Labor Relations Manager positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Labor Relations Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Labor Relations Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$169,116$81.025%
Biotechnology$162,352$78.020%
Insurance$155,587$75.015%
Telecom$155,587$75.015%
Chemicals$148,822$72.010%

How Education impacts an Labor Relations Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Labor Relations Manager 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 Labor Relations Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $138,519 and $149,634.

Labor Relations Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Labor 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%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Labor 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 August 01, 2026
$120,806
Average $135,293/year
$139,722
$10,067
Average $11,274/month
$11,644
$2,323
Average $2,602/week
$2,687
$58
Average $65/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $139,722 $11,644 $2,687 $67
Average $135,293 $11,274 $2,602 $65
25th Percentile $120,806 $10,067 $2,323 $58

Labor Relations Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Labor Relations Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For a Labor Relations Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Labor Relations Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $153,416 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Labor Relations Manager

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

Common company salaries for Labor Relations Manager

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

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FAQ about Labor Relations Manager

1. Where can a Labor Relations Manager earn the most?

A Labor Relations Manager'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, a Labor Relations Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Labor Relations Manager is $170,645.

2. What is the highest pay for Labor Relations Manager?

The highest pay for Labor Relations Manager is $143,754.

3. What is the lowest pay for Labor Relations Manager?

The lowest pay for Labor Relations Manager is $107,616.

4. What are the responsibilities of Labor Relations Manager?

Implements and maintains a company's labor relations programs, policies, and procedures. Ensures satisfactory labor-management relations and helps interpret collective bargaining agreements. Leads grievance procedures including arbitrations and assists all levels of management on labor matters. Requires a bachelor's degree in a related area. Typically reports to a head of a unit/department. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Labor Relations Manager?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Labor Relations Manager 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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