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 (103.3) | $122,090 |
| Vallejo, CA | $131,680 | Above avg (108.5) | $121,388 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $133,270 | Above avg (110.4) | $120,690 |
| Decatur, IL | $103,780 | Below avg (88.4) | $117,369 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $128,320 | Above avg (109.9) | $116,765 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $115,940 | Average (100.0) | $115,977 |
| Rochester, MN | $103,540 | Below avg (90.8) | $114,004 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $100,520 | Below avg (88.8) | $113,239 |
| Erie, PA | $102,870 | Below avg (91.0) | $113,106 |
| Peoria, IL | $102,910 | Below avg (91.2) | $112,802 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $112,740 | Average (100.1) | $112,651 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $105,210 | Below avg (93.6) | $112,457 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $103,230 | Below avg (92.8) | $111,244 |
| Charleston, WV | $98,380 | Below avg (88.7) | $110,892 |
| Springfield, IL | $101,980 | Below avg (92.7) | $109,957 |