Labor Relations Specialist salary in Illinois
Labor Relations Specialists in Illinois earn a median of $104,180 a year ($50.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,670 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,200 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $95,420. Illinois ranks 5th of 51 states for labor relations specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.60 labor relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $102,970, close to the median.
Pay range for labor relations specialists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,150 | $30.36 |
| 25th percentile | $79,380 | $38.16 |
| Median | $104,180 | $50.09 |
| 75th percentile | $116,890 | $56.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,200 | $69.33 |
| Average (mean) | $102,970 | $49.51 |
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 | $8,681.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,340.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,006.92 |
| Weekly | $2,003.46 |
| Hourly | $50.09 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL | $103,780 | 70 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $103,570 | 3,090 |
| 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 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $73,780 | 40 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Project Management Specialist | $103,470 | $49.75 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,010 | $37.02 |
| Logistician | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,550 | $38.73 |
| Cost Estimator | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Fundraiser | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,300 | $38.13 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for labor relations specialists in Illinois is $104,180 a year, or $50.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid labor relations specialists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of labor relations specialists in Illinois earn at least $144,200 a year. The top 25% earn $116,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for labor relations specialists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,150 a year, and a quarter of labor relations specialists earn $79,380 or less.
How many labor relations specialists work in Illinois?
About 3,670 labor relations specialists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.