Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, New Jersey
$119,000 / year
≈ $9,900 per month · $57.21 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for New Jersey · median $122,500
25th percentile
$89,500Average
$119,00075th percentile
$137,500
$89,500Average
$119,00075th percentile
$137,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Labor Relations Specialist salary by state
Alabama$57,000
Alaska$86,500
Arizona$99,000
Arkansas$80,000
California$116,000
Colorado$100,000
Connecticut$101,000
Delaware$107,000
District of Columbia$129,000
Florida$90,000
Georgia$81,000
Hawaii$110,000
Idaho$84,500
Illinois$106,500
Indiana$77,500
Iowa$104,000
Kansas$92,000
Kentucky$73,000
Louisiana$84,000
Maine$101,500
Maryland$101,000
Massachusetts$115,000
Michigan$78,500
Minnesota$113,500
Mississippi$85,000
Missouri$100,500
Montana$83,500
Nebraska$92,500
Nevada$97,500
New Hampshire$100,500
New Jersey$119,000
New Mexico$91,500
New York$115,000
North Carolina$94,000
North Dakota$100,500
Ohio$89,500
Oklahoma$78,500
Oregon$99,000
Pennsylvania$102,500
Rhode Island$99,000
South Carolina$84,500
South Dakota$86,500
Tennessee$86,500
Texas$88,000
Utah$84,000
Vermont$97,000
Virginia$106,500
Washington$117,500
West Virginia$98,000
Wisconsin$97,500
Wyoming$92,000
About this role
Labor Relations Specialist is a professional role within the function in the Business and Financial Operations job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Labor Relations Specialists do
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree
- Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
- Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
- Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations.
- Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
- Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
Top skills: Active Listening Speaking Negotiation Writing Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Labor Relations Specialist pay by experience level
Entry level$52,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$74,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$99,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$127,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$161,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-0.1%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
5,100
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Labor Relations Specialist salary by industry
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
50,560 workers
$102,000Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations
50,420 workers
$102,000Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
2,320 workers
$95,500Management of Companies and Enterprises
2,190 workers
$109,500Management of Companies and Enterprises
2,190 workers
$109,500State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,260 workers
$86,000Educational Services
1,200 workers
$101,500Insurance Carriers and Related Activities
1,080 workers
$84,500Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,050 workers
$106,500Hospitals
890 workers
$110,500National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Labor Relations Specialist pays 8% above the average across 47 roles in the Business and Financial Operations job family (family average $94,500).
Similar-paying roles in Business and Financial Operations
Credit Analyst$104,500
Budget Analyst$100,000
Accountants and Auditors$98,000
Business Continuity Planner$97,500
Financial Examiner$110,000
Logistician$93,000
Compliance Officer$91,500
Loan Officer$91,000
Careers related to Labor Relations Specialist
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Labor Relations Specialist make?
The average base salary for a Labor Relations Specialist in the United States is $102,000 per year, or about $49.04 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $74,500 and $127,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Business and Financial Operations roles?
The Business and Financial Operations job family averages $94,500 across 47 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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