Business & Finance
Labor Relations Specialists
Also called: Business Agent, Business Representative, Grievance Manager, Labor Relations Specialist
US median pay
$95,420
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+2.1%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
4,800
66,300 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
What they do day to day
- Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
- Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
- Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations.
- Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
- Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
- Prepare evidence for disciplinary hearings, including preparing witnesses to testify.
- Mediate discussions between employer and employee representatives in attempt to reconcile differences.
- Review employer practices or employee data to ensure compliance with contracts on matters such as wages, hours, or conditions of employment.
- Recommend collective bargaining strategies, goals, or objectives.
- Monitor company or workforce adherence to labor agreements.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Negotiation4.1/5
- Persuasion3.9/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Time Management3.4/5
- Service Orientation3.4/5
- Coordination3.4/5
Knowledge
- Personnel and Human Resources4.0/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Law and Government3.6/5
- Administration and Management3.1/5
- Education and Training2.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree33%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.