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Labor Relations Specialist I Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Labor Relations Specialist I in the United States is $65,866 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,887
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,388 to $73,205
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,311
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Labor Relations Specialist I Salaries

A Labor Relations Specialist I'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 Specialist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Labor Relations Specialist I'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 I (0-2 years): $65,866
  • Labor Relations Specialist II (2-4 years): $80,774
  • Labor Relations Specialist III (4-7 years): $97,913
  • Labor Relations Specialist IV (7+ years): $120,219
  • Labor Relations Manager (7+ years): $135,293
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Labor Relations Specialist I0-2 years$65,866
Labor Relations Specialist II2-4 years$80,774
Labor Relations Specialist III4-7 years$97,913
Labor Relations Specialist IV7+ years$120,219
Labor Relations Manager7+ years$135,293
View as Graph

How Do Labor Relations Specialist I 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 Specialist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $72,927.
  • California: $72,650.
  • Massachusetts: $71,682.

Top Paying Cities for Labor Relations Specialist Is

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: $83,077
  • San Francisco: $82,167
  • Oakland: $80,436

What Skills Can Increase a Labor Relations Specialist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.2% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.42% 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.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 0.88% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.2%
Microsoft Office 1.42%
Economics 0.88%
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 Specialist I's salary.

  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Workforce Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Employment Law: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment $81,015
23%
Workforce Planning $77,722
18%
Employment Law $75,087
14%
Get Latest Data

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

Labor Relations Specialist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $73,608. While startup companies pay approximate $62,265.

Labor Relations Specialist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $62,265
Growth Stage 51~500 $65,851
Established 501~5000 $71,078
Enterprise 5000+ $73,608

Labor Relations Specialist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Labor Relations Specialist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Labor Relations Specialist positions in Software & Networking or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Labor Relations Specialist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Labor Relations Specialist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$85,626$41.030%
Financial Services$82,332$40.025%
Biotechnology$79,039$38.020%
Internet$77,722$37.018%
Aerospace & Defense$72,453$35.010%

How Education impacts a Labor Relations Specialist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Labor Relations Specialist I 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 Specialist I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $70,289 and $76,937.

Labor Relations Specialist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Labor Relations Specialist I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.2%
High School 8.2%
Associates 6.1%
Bachelors 40.8%
Masters 30.6%
Doctorate 14.3%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Labor Relations Specialist I'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
$61,388
Average $65,866/year
$73,205
$5,116
Average $5,489/month
$6,100
$1,181
Average $1,267/week
$1,408
$30
Average $32/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $73,205 $6,100 $1,408 $35
Average $65,866 $5,489 $1,267 $32
25th Percentile $61,388 $5,116 $1,181 $30

Labor Relations Specialist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Labor Relations Specialist I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Labor Relations Specialist I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Labor Relations Specialist II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $80,774 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Labor Relations Specialist I

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

Common company salaries for Labor Relations Specialist I

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

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FAQ about Labor Relations Specialist I

1. Where can a Labor Relations Specialist I earn the most?

A Labor Relations Specialist I'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 Specialist I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Labor Relations Specialist I is $83,077.

2. What is the highest pay for Labor Relations Specialist I?

The highest pay for Labor Relations Specialist I is $79,887.

3. What is the lowest pay for Labor Relations Specialist I?

The lowest pay for Labor Relations Specialist I is $57,311.

4. What are the responsibilities of Labor Relations Specialist I?

Participates in labor contract negotiations. May prepare contract agreements. Must be familiar with federal, state and local regulations pertaining to labor issues. Represents the organization in legal hearings on labor issues and with labor governing bodies. Makes recommendations for changes to existing policies to ensure compliance with new or proposed regulations. Requires a bachelor's degree in a related area. Typically reports to a manager. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed.

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

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Labor Relations Specialist I roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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