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Business & Office career
Labor Relations Specialist
Also called: Labor Relations Representative · Union Representative · Employee Relations Specialist · Labor Negotiator
What labor relations specialists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a labor relations specialist do?
Labor relations specialists interpret and administer labor contracts and resolve grievances and disputes between management and unions. The median pay is $95,420 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Less than 5 years of experience, and employment is projected to grow +2.1% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$95,420$45.87/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+2.1%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year4,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to trainLess than 5 years of experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs66,300Employment, 2025
What labor relations specialists do
Labor relations specialists work where unions and management meet. They prepare for and negotiate collective bargaining agreements, interpret contracts, handle grievances, advise managers and represent either the employer or the union in disputes and arbitration.
Most have a bachelor’s degree in labor relations, HR, law or business and some related experience.
Typical duties
- Negotiate labor contracts
- Interpret contract language
- Handle grievances
- Prepare for arbitration
- Advise managers or members
- Research wages and benefits
- Train supervisors on the contract
Work environment and schedule
Specialists work in offices for employers, unions and government, with travel to meetings and hearings.
Schedule: Full time, with long hours during bargaining.
A day in the life
- Review a grievance file.
- Meet the union steward.
- Advise a manager on discipline.
- Research wage comparisons.
See a full day in the life of a labor relations specialist →
Labor Relations Specialist salary
Half of labor relations specialists earned more than $95,420 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $50,490 for the lowest 10% to $156,180 for the top 10%.
Full labor relations specialist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a labor relations specialist
- Earn a bachelor’s
- Work in HR or a union
- Handle grievances
- Join bargaining teams
- Advance
A bachelor’s degree in labor relations, HR, law or business is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a labor relations specialist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Collective bargaining
- Labor law
- Contract interpretation
- Grievance handling
- Arbitration
People skills
- Negotiation
- Patience
- Listening
- Composure
All labor relations specialist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Negotiation-focused work
- Good pay
- Important role in workers’ lives
- Varied cases
Cons
- Conflict-heavy
- Long bargaining sessions
- Slow growth
- High stakes
Certifications and licenses
- Labor relations certificate: University programs.
- SHRM credential: HR credential.
- Mediation training: Helpful.
- J.D.: Optional for arbitration work.
Career path
- HR or Union Assistant: Entry.
- Labor Relations Specialist: Handle cases.
- Senior Specialist: Negotiate.
- Director of Labor Relations: Lead strategy.
Learn the job before day one
Our Labor Relations Specialist training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as prepare for collective bargaining and handle a union grievance step by step, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Labor Relations Specialist vs. Human Resources Manager · Labor Relations Specialist vs. HR Specialist · Labor Relations Specialist vs. Lawyer · Labor Relations Specialist vs. Mediator
Labor Relations Specialist FAQ
Do labor relations specialists work for unions or employers?
Both.
Do I need a law degree?
No, though some have one.
Is the field growing?
BLS projects slow growth.
How much does a labor relations specialist make?
The median annual wage for labor relations specialists was $95,420 ($45.87 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $50,490 and the highest 10% earned more than $156,180.
How long does it take to become a labor relations specialist?
Most people need about Less than 5 years of experience of training. A bachelor’s degree in labor relations, HR, law or business is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a labor relations specialist?
Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.
More labor relations specialist questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 13-1075 (Labor relations specialists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Labor relations specialists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.