### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Labor Relations Specialists Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			labor-relations-specialists_summaryLabor relations specialists interpret and administer labor contracts regarding issues such as employee welfare, healthcare, and pensions.							
						Quick Facts:     Labor Relations Specialists2023     Median Pay
            						$89,980     per year
										$43.26     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    Less than 5 yearsOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    64,600Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -1% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -500What Labor Relations Specialists Do
                                                
                        
                        
Labor relations specialists resolve employee-management disputes and negotiate labor contracts.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Labor relations specialists typically work in an office setting. Most work full time.
            
                                                How to Become a Labor Relations Specialist
                                                
                        
To enter the occupation, these specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in labor and industrial relations, human resources, business, or a related field. Specialists also may need several years of experience in a related occupation.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for labor relations specialists was $89,980 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of labor relations specialists is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 5,200 openings for labor relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for labor relations specialists.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of labor relations specialists with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about labor relations specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Labor Relations Specialists Do 
            

			Labor relations specialists draft proposals and rules or regulations in order to help facilitate collective bargaining.			
Labor relations specialists (also called employee relations specialists) resolve employee-management disputes, negotiate labor contracts, and coordinate grievance procedures regarding worker complaints. They may offer input on issues such as wages and salaries, nonwage benefits, and union or management practices.
Duties
Labor relations specialists typically do the following:
Support interactions and negotiations between management and employee representatives, such as labor unions
Develop, draft, and implement an organization’s policies, handbooks, and codes of conduct
Ensure compliance with collective bargaining or other agreements and employment policies
Investigate worker misconduct and advise management on appropriate response and disciplinary procedures
Manage employee grievances and discipline processes
Resolve internal workplace disputes
Guide employees on the terms of their employment
Train management on labor relations and other policies and proceduresLabor relations specialists work with representatives for an organization’s management and employees. In addition to leading meetings between the two groups, labor relations specialists draft an agreement regarding organizational policies and procedures. These contracts, called collective bargaining agreements when negotiated between management and labor unions, serve as a legal and procedural guide for employee-management relations.
Once an organization’s policies are in place, labor relations specialists may work with either side to enforce them. For example, specialists may guide a manager in taking disciplinary action against an employee according to proper procedures. Other specialists may address worker grievances to ensure that they comply with relevant processes.
Labor relations specialists also instruct managers and employees about their organization’s policies and procedures. For example, they may provide trainings to management or share informational newsletters with employees that cover different issues specific to each group.
 Work Environment
			labor relations specialists WORK ENVIRONMENTLabor relations specialists generally work in offices.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Labor relations specialists held about 64,600 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of labor relations specialists were as follows:
        Labor unions and similar labor organizations
                74%Government
                4Management of companies and enterprises
                2Labor relations specialists typically work in an office setting. Travel, such as to attend meetings or to engage with workers onsite, may be required. The work of labor relations specialists may be stressful if negotiating contracts and resolving grievances become tense.
Work Schedules
Most labor relations specialists work full time. They sometimes work for long periods, such as when preparing for meetings or settling disputes.
 How to Become a Labor Relations Specialist

			Labor relations specialists shaking hands in a meeting.Labor relations specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree, and they may need experience in a related occupation.			
To enter the occupation, these specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree in labor and industrial relations, human resources, business, or a related field. Specialists also may need several years of experience in a related occupation.
Education
Labor relations specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree. Some schools offer a bachelor’s degree in labor and industrial relations. Candidates also may qualify for labor relations specialist positions with a bachelor’s degree in a field such as human resources or business. Coursework for these majors typically includes business, human resource management, and accounting.
Some colleges and universities offer labor relations certificates in specialized topics, such as mediation. Earning these certificates gives participants a better understanding of labor law, the collective bargaining process, and worker grievance procedures.
College students who participate in internships or job shadowing, such as with an organization’s human resources department, may have an opportunity to gain insight into labor relations while still in school.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Many positions require that candidates have work experience. Candidates can gain experience as human resources specialists, compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists, or human resources generalists before specializing in labor relations.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Although not required, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have professional certification. Certification demonstrates a level of proficiency in the skills required for the occupation. For labor relations specialists, human resources credentials may either be general or cover specific workforce topics.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.***Labor relations specialists must be able to convey information, both orally and in writing. For example, they talk with workers and managers, conduct trainings, and draft proposals and other materials.
***Detail oriented.*** Labor relations specialists must pay attention to minutiae in tasks such as evaluating labor laws, ensuring compliance with policies, and maintaining records.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Labor relations specialists need to interact well with others. For example, they must be able to establish rapport with workers when conducting interviews to resolve internal disputes.
***Organizational skills.***Labor relations specialists often handle several cases at once. They must be able to multitask and keep clear files to maintain records properly.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Labor relations specialists help management and employees consider their options to reach consensus, such as when resolving grievances or negotiating contracts.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Labor Relations SpecialistsMedian annual wages, May 2023Labor relations specialists$89,980  Business operations specialists$78,500  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for labor relations specialists was $89,980 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,360, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $139,520.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for labor relations specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Management of companies and enterprises
                $105,780Labor unions and similar labor organizations
                90,740Government
                85,480Most labor relations specialists work full time. They sometimes work long periods, such as when preparing for meetings or settling disputes.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Labor Relations SpecialistsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Business operations specialists6%  Total, all occupations3%  Labor relations specialists-1%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of labor relations specialists is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 5,200 openings for labor relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
If union membership rates decline, overall demand for these specialists will be limited. However, there will still be some need for labor relations specialists’ expertise as union negotiations and contract disputes continue.
			

                        Employment projections data for     labor relations specialists, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Labor relations specialists**
			13-1075
			64,600
			64,000
			-1
			-500
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Labor relations specialists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of labor relations specialists. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators**
            Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation and dialogue between disputing parties to help resolve conflicts outside of the court system.
            Bachelor's degree
            $71,540**Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists**
            Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists oversee wage and nonwage programs that an organization provides to its employees in return for their work. They also evaluate position descriptions to determine details such as classification and salary.
            Bachelor's degree
            $74,530**Human Resources Managers**
            Human resources managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative functions of an organization.
            Bachelor's degree
            $136,350**Human Resources Specialists**
            Human resources specialists recruit, screen, and interview job applicants and place newly hired workers in jobs. They also may handle compensation and benefits, training, and employee relations.
            Bachelor's degree
            $67,650**Lawyers**
            Lawyers advise and represent clients on legal proceedings or transactions.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $145,760**Public Relations Specialists**
            Public relations specialists create and maintain a positive public image for the clients they represent.
            Bachelor's degree
            $66,750**Training and Development Managers**
            Training and development managers plan, coordinate, and direct skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization’s staff.
            Bachelor's degree
            $125,040**Training and Development Specialists**
            Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,340**Social and Human Service Assistants**
            Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $41,410
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about labor relations careers, training, or related certifications, visit
Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)
HR Certification Institute (HRCI)
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Related BLS articles
For more information about union membership, read the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Union Membership Annual News Release.
CareerOneStop
For a career video on labor relations specialists, visit
Labor Relations Specialists

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Labor Relations Specialists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Labor Relations Specialists, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/labor-relations-specialists.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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