Work Environment

Labor relations specialists held about 73,500 jobs in 2020. The largest employers of labor relations specialists were as follows:

• Labor unions and similar labor organizations - 75%
• Government - 4%
• Management of companies and enterprises - 2%

Labor relations specialists generally work in offices. Some may travel for arbitration meetings or to discuss contracts with employees or management. The work of labor relations specialists can be stressful because negotiating contracts and resolving labor grievances can be tense.

Work Schedules

Most labor relations specialists work full time during regular business hours. Some specialists work longer periods when preparing for meetings or settling disputes.

Job Outlook

Employment of labor relations specialists is projected to decline 4 percent from 2020 to 2030.

Despite declining employment, about 6,400 openings for labor relations specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

The rate of union membership in 1983 was 20.1 percent; the current rate is about half that. The number of wage and salary workers who are union members is likely to continue declining. Although this will result in less overall demand for the services of labor relations specialists, their expertise and unique skills will maintain some demand for these workers as union negotiations and contract disputes continue.

Earnings

The median annual wage for labor relations specialists was $77,010 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,880, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $126,330.

In May 2021, the median annual wages for labor relations specialists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

• Management of companies and enterprises - $94,480
• Government - $80,500
• Labor unions and similar labor organizations - $74,970

Most labor relations specialists work full time during regular business hours. Some specialists work longer periods when preparing for meetings or settling disputes.