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The differences between labour relations managers and employee relations specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a labour relations manager and an employee relations specialist. Additionally, a labour relations manager has an average salary of $86,150, which is higher than the $56,574 average annual salary of an employee relations specialist.
The top three skills for a labour relations manager include human resources, collective bargaining agreements and arbitration. The most important skills for an employee relations specialist are performance management, excellent interpersonal, and corrective action.
| Labour Relations Manager | Employee Relations Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $86,150 | $56,574 |
| Hourly rate | $41.42 | $27.20 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 31,787 | 30,109 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Also called labor relations negotiators, labor relations managers enforce and maintain the labor relations policies, procedures, and programs of an organization. The managers ensure satisfactory relations between management and labor. They interpret the collective bargaining agreements. It is their job to resolve complaints, strikes, and disputes. They work hand in hand with arbitrators and mediators in determining new labor agreement conditions. Skills necessary for this position include leadership, communication, management, and customer service.
An employee relations specialist is someone who identifies the recruitment needs of employers. The specialist collects and analyzes employee data, organizes and updates employee files, and oversees employee orientation and training. Employee relations specialists promote colleges' majors to employers through mass mailings, off-site employer visits, and cold calls. They help with on-campus recruitment events and manage employment opportunity posting. The skills necessary for this job include customer service, communications skills, knowledge in software applications, and attention to detail.
Labour relations managers and employee relations specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Labour Relations Manager | Employee Relations Specialist | |
| Average salary | $86,150 | $56,574 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $130,000 | Between $39,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | eBay | Adobe |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Finance |
There are a few differences between a labour relations manager and an employee relations specialist in terms of educational background:
| Labour Relations Manager | Employee Relations Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between labour relations managers' and employee relations specialists' demographics:
| Labour Relations Manager | Employee Relations Specialist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.2% Female, 44.8% | Male, 30.6% Female, 69.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 7.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |