| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability. |
| Importance: 100 (%) | Description: Research case law or outcomes of previous case hearings. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Review employer practices or employee data to ensure compliance with contracts on matters such as wages, hours, or conditions of employment. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Select mediators or arbitrators for labor disputes or contract negotiations. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Call or meet with union, company, government, or other interested parties to discuss labor relations matters, such as contract negotiations or grievances. |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Mediate discussions between employer and employee representatives in attempt to reconcile differences. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Draft rules or regulations to govern collective bargaining activities in collaboration with company, government, or employee representatives. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Negotiate collective bargaining agreements. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Schedule or coordinate the details of grievance hearings or other meetings. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Monitor company or workforce adherence to labor agreements. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Recommend collective bargaining strategies, goals, or objectives. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Present the position of the company or of labor during arbitration or other labor negotiations. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Identify alternatives to proposals of unions, employees, companies, or government agencies. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Assess risk levels associated with collective bargaining strategies. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Prepare evidence for disciplinary hearings, including preparing witnesses to testify. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Draft contract proposals or counter-proposals for collective bargaining or other labor negotiations. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Write letters related to labor relations activities, such as letters to amend collective bargaining agreements, letters of dispute or conciliation, or letters to seek clarification of contract terms. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Review and approve employee disciplinary actions, such as written reprimands, suspensions, or terminations. |
Associate Degree Careers and Jobs
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with an Associate's Degree or Less - All On One Page.
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Associate's Degree or less.
An associate's degree can open doors to skilled technical, healthcare, and business support roles without the time commitment of a four-year degree. For people who want a faster, more affordable path into a stable career. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.
Here is a short Helper Video 
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Associate's Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Associate's Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Associate Degree Jobs
What jobs can you get with an Associate's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Associate's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having an Associate's Degree. - 484 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Associate's Degree or less) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Labor Relations Specialists.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Labor Relations Specialists" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Labor Relations Specialists
Description: Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Labor Relations Specialists":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
73,500U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
70,300
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
-3,200 (-4.3%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
6,400
Core Duties
Supplemental Duties
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Assess the impact of union proposals on company or government operations. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Advise management on matters related to the administration of contracts or employee discipline or grievance procedures. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Train managers or supervisors on topics related to labor relations, such as working conditions, safety, or equal opportunity practices. |
| Importance: 57 (%) | Description: Provide expert testimony in legal proceedings related to labor relations or labor contracts. |
| Importance: 57 (%) | Description: Develop employee health and safety policies. |
| Importance: 57 (%) | Description: Develop methods to monitor employee satisfaction with policies or working conditions, including grievance or complaint procedures. |
| Importance: 48 (%) | Description: Prepare reports or presentations to communicate employee satisfaction or related data to management. |
| Importance: 38 (%) | Description: Prepare and submit required governmental reports or forms related to labor relations matters, such as equal employment opportunity (EEO) forms, new hire forms, or minority compensation reports. |
Work Activities
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 90 (%) | Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
| Importance: 89 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 74 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
| Importance: 67 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
| Importance: 65 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
Specific Work Activities
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Advise others on human resources topics. | |
| Arrange collective bargaining agreements. | |
| Assess risks to business operations. | |
| Collect evidence for legal proceedings. | |
| Establish business management methods. | |
| Establish organizational guidelines or policies. | |
| Evaluate personnel practices to ensure adherence to regulations. | |
| Measure effectiveness of business strategies or practices. | |
| Negotiate agreements to resolve disputes. | |
| Organize special events. | |
| Prepare regulatory or compliance documentation. | |
| Present business-related information to audiences. | |
| Testify at legal or legislative proceedings. | |
| Train personnel on managerial topics. | |
| Update knowledge of legal or regulatory environments. | |
Knowledge Required
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems. |
| Importance: 72 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. |
Essential Skills
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 73 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 58 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
Transferable Skills
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Importance: 60 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people. |
| Importance: 56 (%) | Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
Day-in-the-Life Summaries
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Advise others on business or operational matters. |
| Activity: Analyze business or financial risks. |
| Activity: Coordinate group, community, or public activities. |
| Activity: Develop organizational policies, systems, or processes. |
| Activity: Evaluate programs, practices, or processes. |
| Activity: Investigate criminal or legal matters. |
| Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise. |
| Activity: Monitor operations to ensure compliance with regulations or standards. |
| Activity: Negotiate contracts or agreements. |
| Activity: Prepare legal or regulatory documents. |
| Activity: Present information in legal proceedings. |
| Activity: Provide information to guests, clients, or customers. |
| Activity: Train others on operational or work procedures. |
Software Skills
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| High-Priority Tech Skills | |||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||||||
| ServiceNow | |||||||||
| Electronic mail software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Outlook | |||||||||
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | |||||||||
| Workday software | |||||||||
| Office suite software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Office software | |||||||||
| Presentation software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | |||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Excel | |||||||||
| Widely Used Tech Skills | |||||||||
| Human resources software: | |||||||||
| Oracle HRIS | |||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | |||||||||
| Application server software: | |||||||||
| Kubernetes | |||||||||
| Data base user interface and query software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Access | |||||||||
| Document management software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft SharePoint | |||||||||
| Enterprise resource planning ERP software: | |||||||||
| Oracle PeopleSoft | |||||||||
| Word processing software: | |||||||||
| Microsoft Word | |||||||||
| General Software Tools | |||||||||
| Human resources software (scroll table below): | |||||||||
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Preparation Required
| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed |
| A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. |
| Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
| Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. |
| Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators. |
Education Required
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 33.3 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.5 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.5 (%) | Level of Education: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.5 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.5 (%) | Level of Education: Master's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 9.5 (%) | Level of Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession. |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Education: Post-Secondary Certificate |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Education: Doctoral Degree |
Training and Experience Required
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 33.3 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 28.6 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 23.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months |
| Frequency of Attainment: 4.8 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year |
Local Salary Information
Select a State (scroll and Select) :
Please select a State to see State and National Salaries
Professional Associations
| Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities? |
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Actors Equity Association (AEA)
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AFL-CIO
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American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
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American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
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American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA)
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American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
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American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
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International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
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Job Listings
Related Careers to Consider
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Labor Relations Specialists". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Videos
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Job Description
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
Interviews
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Step-by-Step
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Labor Relations Specialists
LinkedIn®
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page
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