Labor Relations Specialists
Machines can already do 25% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 52%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Labor Relations Specialists in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 25% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 52% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 64,810 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $95,420 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 68% for contact with people.
- Also called: Business Agent, Business Representative, Grievance Manager, Labor Relations Specialist.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call or meet with union, company, government, or other interested parties to discuss labor relations matters, such as contract negotiations or grievances | 9% | 10% to 30% | |
| Negotiate collective bargaining agreements | 7% | 10% to 30% | |
| Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability | 7% | 40% to 80% | |
| Advise management on matters related to the administration of contracts or employee discipline or grievance procedures | 7% | 35% to 65% | |
| Interpret contractual agreements for employers and employees engaged in collective bargaining or other labor relations processes | 6% | 10% to 30% | |
| Mediate discussions between employer and employee representatives in attempt to reconcile differences | 6% | 10% to 30% | |
| Review employer practices or employee data to ensure compliance with contracts on matters such as wages, hours, or conditions of employment | 5% | 40% to 80% | |
| Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations | 4% | 10% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills labor relations specialists use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives47% of tasks by 2035 · US median $106,040
- Human Resources Managers51% of tasks by 2035 · US median $149,280
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses33% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,400
- General and Operations Managers49% of tasks by 2035 · US median $105,770
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Labor Relations Specialists?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of labor relations specialists?
Machines can do 25% of the tasks of labor relations specialists today and 52% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 13-1075.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Labor Relations Specialists: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/labor-relations-specialists/