Human Resources Managers vs Labor Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $46,530 more per year than Labor Relations Specialists professionals — that's 49.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
Labor Relations Specialists$49,880 – $153,440
$49,880$153,440
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Human Resources Managers | Labor Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $83,790 | $49,880 | +$33,910 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,590 | $67,670 | +$37,920 |
| Median (50th) | $140,030 | $93,500 | +$46,530 |
| 75th Percentile | $189,960 | $123,090 | +$66,870 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $153,440 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $160,480 | $97,130 | +$63,350 |
Employment Numbers
Human Resources Managers
215,520
employed nationwide
Labor Relations Specialists
64,590
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
Best Cities for Labor Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $145,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,460 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $118,620 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $106,180 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,710 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Human Resources Managers or Labor Relations Specialists?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $46,530 (49.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
What is the salary range for Labor Relations Specialists?
Labor Relations Specialists salaries range from $49,880 (10th percentile) to $153,440 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,500.
How many Human Resources Managers and Labor Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions and 64,590 Labor Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Labor Relations Specialists to Human Resources Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Human Resources Managers has a median salary of $140,030 while Labor Relations Specialists earns $93,500. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS