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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Employee Relations Specialist in Washington is $90,260 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
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 | $96,336 | $8,028 | $1,853 | $46 |
| Average | $90,260 | $7,522 | $1,736 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,401 | $6,700 | $1,546 | $39 |
Snap - Bellevue, WA
King County Housing Authority - Seattle, WA
Us Tech Solutions - Everett, WA
The Boeing Company - Bellevue, WA
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 | $69,628 |
| Employee ... Level Employee Relations Specialist | $89,814 |
| Employee ... Level Employee Relations Specialist | $108,848 |
| Employee ... Level Employee Relations Specialist | $124,095 |
| Employee ... Level Employee Relations Specialist | $133,512 |
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 | $112,825 | $54.0 | 25% |
| Software & Networking | $110,118 | $53.0 | 22% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $103,799 | $50.0 | 15% |
| Internet | $103,799 | $50.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $99,286 | $48.0 | 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 | $96,336 | $8,028 | $1,853 | $46 |
| Average | $90,260 | $7,522 | $1,736 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,401 | $6,700 | $1,546 | $39 |
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.
Downtown Seattle Association
Seattle, WA
Downtown Seattle Association | Seattle, WA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Established in 1958, the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) is a nonprofit membership organization whose mis... more
6 Days Ago
Valvoline
Issaquah, WA
Valvoline | Issaquah, WA
Valvoline - 50 Northwest Holly Street - Responsibilities: Greet customers and manage first impressions. Guide vehicles in and out of service bays. Perform ... more
6 Days Ago
KNOWiNK
Spokane, WA
KNOWiNK | Spokane, WA
A leading election technology firm is seeking a Mid-Senior level candidate for a full-time role focused on customer support and technical assistance.Candid... more
7 Days Ago
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
University of Washington | Seattle, WA
Job DescriptionUWMEDICINE CONTRACTING & PAYER RELATIONS has an outstanding opportunity for a PAYER RELATIONS SPECIALIST .WORK SCHEDULEFull-Time - 100% FTEH... more
7 Days Ago
The University of Washington
Seattle, WA
The University of Washington | Seattle, WA
Employee Relations (60%)Interprets and provides guidance and advises managers on UW Administrative Policy Statements, UW Human Resources policies and colle... more
7 Days Ago
ProSidian Consulting
Seattle, WA
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