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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Employee Relations Specialist in Kentucky is $78,332 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, an Employee Relations Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Employee Relations Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $83,604 | $6,967 | $1,608 | $40 |
| Average | $78,332 | $6,528 | $1,506 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,775 | $5,815 | $1,342 | $34 |
Ford Motor Company - Glendale Junction, KY
BrightSpring Health Services - Louisville, KY
Ford Motor Company - Glendale Junction, KY
Service Pros Auto Glass - Lexington, KY
An Employee Relations Specialist'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Employee Relations Specialist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Employee ... Level Employee Relations Specialist | $60,426 |
| Employee ... Level Employee Relations Specialist | $77,944 |
| Employee ... Level Employee Relations Specialist | $94,462 |
| Employee ... Level Employee Relations Specialist | $107,695 |
| Employee ... Level Employee Relations Specialist | $115,868 |
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 Employee Relations Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Employee Relations Specialist 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 as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $97,914 | $47.0 | 25% |
| Software & Networking | $95,565 | $46.0 | 22% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $90,081 | $43.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $90,081 | $43.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $86,165 | $41.0 | 10% |
Understanding how an Employee Relations Specialist'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $83,604 | $6,967 | $1,608 | $40 |
| Average | $78,332 | $6,528 | $1,506 | $38 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,775 | $5,815 | $1,342 | $34 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Employee Relations Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Urbanex Pest Control
Louisville, KY
Urbanex Pest Control | Louisville, KY
Job Description. Job Description. Customer Relations SpecialistAbout UrbanexUrbanex is a rapidly growing, family and veteran-owned pest control company ded... more
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Eye Care Partners Career Opportunities
Lexington, KY
Eye Care Partners Career Opportunities | Lexington, KY
Job Description. Job Description. EyeCare Partners is the nation's leading provider of clinically integrated eye care. Our national network of over 300 oph... more
2 Days Ago
Christus Health
SANTA FE, NM
Christus Health | SANTA FE, NM
Description. Summary. Responsible for managing, coordinating and integrating all Care Coordination services within CHRISTUS St. Vincent Health System. Prov... more
3 Days Ago
Lesley University
CAMBRIDGEPORT, MA
Lesley University | CAMBRIDGEPORT, MA
Director of Labor Relations Cambridge, MA Full time JR101662 The Opportunity Lesley University is seeking a Director of Labor Relations to join the Human R... more
2 Days Ago
City of Fort Lauderdale
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
City of Fort Lauderdale | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
Position Title: Employee Relations Manager Department: Human Resources Job Type: Full Time Salary Range: $105,207.85 - $163,037.26 Annually Job Number: NB1... more
1 Day Ago
CHRISTUS Health
SANTA FE, NM
CHRISTUS Health | SANTA FE, NM
Description Summary: Responsible for managing, coordinating and integrating all Care Coordination services within CHRISTUS St. Vincent Health System. Provi... more
7 Days Ago
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