Labor Relations Specialists
Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
Also called: Appeals and Grievances Specialist, Arbitration Specialist, Business Agent, Business Representative, Collective Bargaining Specialist, Conciliator
Median pay
$95,420
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$50,490 – $156,180
People employed
64,810
Holland code
ECS
Enterprising · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 2.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 3.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 4.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
- Tight deadlines are common
Labor Relations Specialists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What labor relations specialists do
- 01Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
- 02Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
- 03Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations.
- 04Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
- 05Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
- 06Prepare evidence for disciplinary hearings, including preparing witnesses to testify.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Personnel and Human Resources
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Social Orientation
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from labor relations specialists
- Human Resources Managers95% · +56%
- Compliance Managers91% · group pay
- Compensation and Benefits Managers90% · +56%
- Public Relations Managers85% · +54%
- Social and Community Service Managers81% · −16%
Change into labor relations specialists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators91% · $75,530
- Compliance Managers84% · $141,900
- Credit Counselors80% · $52,230
- Human Resources Managers80% · $149,280
- Social and Community Service Managers80% · $80,390
Majors that lead here
- Dispute Resolution
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
- Labor and Industrial Relations
- Labor Studies
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.