Labor relations specialists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Labor relations specialists in the United States earn a median salary of $95,420 per year — about $46 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 65K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of 0%.
AI & Automation Risk
This occupation is predominantly digital and knowledge-based, involving the drafting of contracts, policy development, and legal compliance—all areas where AI excels. While the high-stakes interpersonal negotiation and dispute resolution provide a buffer, AI will significantly automate the research, document generation, and investigative analysis components of the role.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WABEST VALUE | $126,160 | Above avg (104.0) | $121,294 |
| Vallejo, CA | $131,680 | Above avg (109.4) | $120,411 |
| Decatur, IL | $103,780 | Below avg (86.7) | $119,754 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $133,270 | Above avg (113.1) | $117,877 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $115,940 | Average (98.9) | $117,253 |
| Peoria, IL | $102,910 | Below avg (88.8) | $115,845 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $100,520 | Below avg (87.2) | $115,300 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $112,740 | Average (98.9) | $114,011 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $128,320 | Above avg (112.8) | $113,785 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $103,230 | Below avg (91.5) | $112,785 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $105,210 | Below avg (93.4) | $112,655 |
| Springfield, IL | $101,980 | Below avg (90.7) | $112,497 |
| Erie, PA | $102,870 | Below avg (91.9) | $111,887 |
| Rockford, IL | $100,480 | Below avg (90.2) | $111,439 |
| Rochester, MN | $103,540 | Below avg (93.0) | $111,384 |