Labor Relations Specialist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Labor Relations Specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $81,960 a year ($39.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,500 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $95,420. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $79,140. There are 0.55 labor relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for labor relations specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,950 | $30.75 |
| 25th percentile | $76,000 | $36.54 |
| Median | $81,960 | $39.40 |
| 75th percentile | $125,420 | $60.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,500 | $72.84 |
| Average (mean) | $102,160 | $49.11 |
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 | $6,830 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,415 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,152.31 |
| Weekly | $1,576.15 |
| Hourly | $39.40 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $96,760 | 170 |
| Dubuque, IA | $89,150 | 40 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $81,910 | 120 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $79,980 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $78,920 | 40 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $77,020 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $86,540 | $41.61 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Project Management Specialist | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $71,600 | $34.42 |
| Management Analyst | $90,730 | $43.62 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| Compliance Officer | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| Cost Estimator | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Logistician | $77,860 | $37.43 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $77,990 | $37.50 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $60,410 | $29.04 |
| Fundraiser | $65,060 | $31.28 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for labor relations specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $81,960 a year, or $39.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid labor relations specialists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of labor relations specialists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $151,500 a year. The top 25% earn $125,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for labor relations specialists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,950 a year, and a quarter of labor relations specialists earn $76,000 or less.
How many labor relations specialists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 220 labor relations specialists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.