Labor Relations Specialist salary in California
Labor Relations Specialists in California earn a median of $105,810 a year ($50.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,110 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $95,420. California ranks 4th of 51 states for labor relations specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.48 labor relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $112,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for labor relations specialists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,350 | $25.65 |
| 25th percentile | $76,770 | $36.91 |
| Median | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| 75th percentile | $129,970 | $62.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,110 | $82.75 |
| Average (mean) | $112,210 | $53.95 |
Half of labor relations specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,817.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,408.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,069.62 |
| Weekly | $2,034.81 |
| Hourly | $50.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Labor Relations Specialist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $133,270 | 510 |
| Vallejo, CA | $131,680 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $128,320 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $124,400 | 2,000 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $108,760 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $105,850 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $103,790 | 930 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $102,980 | 3,300 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $102,230 | 470 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $102,000 | 410 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $101,660 | 30 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $101,050 | 140 |
| Salinas, CA | $100,810 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $99,630 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $89,940 | 90 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $83,360 | 70 |
| Modesto, CA | $63,640 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for labor relations specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $118,370 |
| District of Columbia | $115,600 |
| Massachusetts | $111,260 |
| California | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $104,180 |
| Washington | $104,100 |
| North Dakota | $101,220 |
| Minnesota | $100,760 |
| New York | $100,500 |
| Virginia | $98,730 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 | $42.10 |
| Management Analyst | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| Project Management Specialist | $120,910 | $58.13 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Compliance Officer | $96,980 | $46.63 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Logistician | $92,890 | $44.66 |
| Cost Estimator | $85,460 | $41.09 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $91,790 | $44.13 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $91,410 | $43.95 |
| Fundraiser | $79,710 | $38.32 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1075. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a labor relations specialist make in California?
The median salary for labor relations specialists in California is $105,810 a year, or $50.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $172,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid labor relations specialists make in California?
The top 10% of labor relations specialists in California earn at least $172,110 a year. The top 25% earn $129,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for labor relations specialists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,350 a year, and a quarter of labor relations specialists earn $76,770 or less.
How many labor relations specialists work in California?
About 8,830 labor relations specialists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.