Labor Relations Specialists Salary
Labor Relations Specialists in New Jersey make a median of $118,370 a year, or about $56.91 an hour. The range runs from $73K at the entry level to $167K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.34), that's roughly $119,156 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,067/month, or 28.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New Jersey. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $118K get you in New Jersey?
About labor relations specialists
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What this looks like in New Jersey
New Jersey sits well above the national pay line for labor relations specialists, local pay runs about 24% higher than the U.S. median of $95K. Rent runs $2,067/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 99.34) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Jersey
Entry-level labor relations specialists (10th percentile) start around $73K. Mid-career wages sit at $118K. Top earners bring in $167K or more, a $94K spread from bottom to top.
Labor Relations Specialists salary by metro in New Jersey
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton | $107K | -10% | 380 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $102K | -14% | 160 |
Compare to other states
Track labor relations specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Jersey numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a labor relations specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Jersey?
Yes — at the median salary of $118K, rent takes 28.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,067/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for labor relations specialists in New Jersey?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new labor relations specialists typically earn — is $73K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,389/month. At HUD’s $2,067/month FMR, rent would take 47% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is labor relations specialist a high-paying job in New Jersey?
Local pay is 24% above the national median — $118K here vs. $95K nationally.
How does New Jersey compare to the national average for labor relations specialists?
New Jersey pays $118K median vs. the U.S. average of $95K — that’s +24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 99.34), the purchasing-power equivalent is $119K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do labor relations specialists make in New Jersey?
The median is $118,370 a year, that works out to about $57 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $73,150, and experienced labor relations specialists can clear $167,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $118K enough to live in New Jersey?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,187/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,067/month, which eats 28.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a labor relations specialists salary go in New Jersey?
New Jersey has a Regional Price Parity of 99.34 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median labor relations specialists salary is worth about $119,156 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do labor relations specialists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.