Labor Relations Specialist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Labor Relations Specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $103,570 a year ($49.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,290 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $95,420. Pay here is 1% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $104,180. There are 0.69 labor relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,990, close to the median.
Pay range for labor relations specialists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,250 | $27.04 |
| 25th percentile | $77,190 | $37.11 |
| Median | $103,570 | $49.79 |
| 75th percentile | $116,340 | $55.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,290 | $65.04 |
| Average (mean) | $99,990 | $48.07 |
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 | $8,630.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,315.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,983.46 |
| Weekly | $1,991.73 |
| Hourly | $49.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Labor Relations Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL | $103,780 | 70 |
| Peoria, IL | $102,910 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $102,010 | 750 |
| Springfield, IL | $101,980 | 240 |
| Rockford, IL | $100,480 | 50 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $100,150 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $96,760 | 170 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $95,350 | 580 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $79,050 | 100 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $78,430 | 70 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $77,990 | 310 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $77,380 | 190 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $76,980 | 530 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $75,810 | 120 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $73,780 | 40 |
| Evansville, IN | $73,300 | 210 |
| Columbus, IN | $38,920 | 60 |
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 |
See Labor Relations Specialist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $105,090 | $50.53 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $80,400 | $38.65 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $81,170 | $39.02 |
| Project Management Specialist | $105,320 | $50.64 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $78,510 | $37.74 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,050 | $32.23 |
| Logistician | $79,900 | $38.42 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,640 | $37.81 |
| Compliance Officer | $82,020 | $39.43 |
| Cost Estimator | $83,640 | $40.21 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $62,640 | $30.12 |
| Fundraiser | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,990 | $38.46 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for labor relations specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $103,570 a year, or $49.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid labor relations specialists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of labor relations specialists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $135,290 a year. The top 25% earn $116,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for labor relations specialists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,250 a year, and a quarter of labor relations specialists earn $77,190 or less.
How many labor relations specialists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 3,090 labor relations specialists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.