As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Labor Relations Specialist III in the United States is $97,915 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a Labor Relations Specialist III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Labor 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Labor 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Relations Specialist I | 0-2 years | $65,866 |
| Labor Relations Specialist II | 2-4 years | $80,779 |
| Labor Relations Specialist III | 4-7 years | $97,915 |
| Labor Relations Specialist IV | 7+ years | $120,235 |
| Labor Relations Manager | 7+ years | $135,293 |
What Am I Worth?
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 IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 4.38% |
| Contract Negotiation | 1.86% |
| Microsoft Office | 1.19% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Security Clearance
|
$108,686 |
11%
|
|
Consulting
|
$103,790 |
6%
|
|
Analysis
|
$103,790 |
6%
|
|
Communication Skills
|
$103,790 |
6%
|
|
Onboarding
|
$102,811 |
5%
|
|
Coordination
|
$102,811 |
5%
|
Labor 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 $109,517. While startup companies pay approximate $92,619.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $92,619 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $97,959 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $105,760 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $109,517 |
For Labor Relations Specialist III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 58% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 28% above the average. In contrast, Labor Relations Specialist positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Labor Relations Specialist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $125,331 | $60.0 | 28% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $118,477 | $57.0 | 21% |
| Software & Networking | $117,498 | $56.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $112,602 | $54.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $109,665 | $53.0 | 12% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Labor Relations Specialist IIIs 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 a Labor Relations Specialist III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $105,774 and $113,279).
Labor Relations Specialist III Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 6.7% |
| High School | 6.7% |
| Associates | 6.7% |
| Bachelors | 40.0% |
| Masters | 40.0% |
| Doctorate | 6.7% |
Understanding how a Labor 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 July 01, 2026For a Labor Relations Specialist III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Labor Relations Specialist IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $120,235 - a projected growth of 23% over your current level.
Salaries for a Labor Relations Specialist III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $89,607 in 2023 to around $89,692 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Labor Relations Specialist III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $89,607 |
| 2024 | $90,081 |
| 2025 | $89,692 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Labor 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, a Labor Relations Specialist III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Labor Relations Specialist III is $123,500.
The highest pay for Labor Relations Specialist III is $110,507.
The lowest pay for Labor Relations Specialist III is $84,135.
Participates in labor contract negotiations. May prepare contract agreements. Must be knowledgeable in 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. May report directly to an executive or head of a unit/department. Typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature.
The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Labor Relations Specialist III roles, with salaries approximately 28% above the market median.
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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