Labor relations specialists
SOC Code: 13-1075
Labor relations specialists carries a 38% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $93,500 and -0.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 65,400 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Labor relations specialists (SOC 13-1075) carries an AI exposure score of 38%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 65,400 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -0.1% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $93,500, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus Less than 5 years of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Labor relations specialists. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
- 2. Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
- 3. Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations.
- 4. Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations.
- 5. Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes.
- 6. Prepare evidence for disciplinary hearings, including preparing witnesses to testify.
- 7. Mediate discussions between employer and employee representatives in attempt to reconcile differences.
- 8. Review employer practices or employee data to ensure compliance with contracts on matters such as wages, hours, or conditions of employment.
- 9. Recommend collective bargaining strategies, goals, or objectives.
- 10. Monitor company or workforce adherence to labor agreements.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Negotiation
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Persuasion
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge Areas
- Personnel and Human Resources
- English Language
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Labor relations specialists?
Labor relations specialists has an AI exposure score of 38%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Labor relations specialists?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Labor relations specialists is projected to decline by 0.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 65,400 workers.
What skills are needed for Labor relations specialists?
Key skills for Labor relations specialists include Active Listening, Speaking, Negotiation, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Labor relations specialists earn?
The median annual wage for Labor relations specialists is $93,500, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Labor relations specialists?
The typical entry-level education for Labor relations specialists is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect Less than 5 years of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Labor relations specialists?
Labor relations specialists roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).