Labor Relations Specialist Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Labor Relations Specialists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $105,250 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $78,676 take-home, or $6,556 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$14,325
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,526
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,526
- Wisconsin income tax$4,198
- Take-home pay$78,676
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Labor Relations Specialist pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,720 | $28.23 | $47,559 | $3,963 |
| 25th percentile | $71,220 | $34.24 | $56,539 | $4,712 |
| Median (50th) | $105,250 | $50.60 | $78,676 | $6,556 |
| 75th percentile | $124,860 | $60.03 | $91,371 | $7,614 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $153,380 | $73.74 | $109,353 | $9,113 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $105,250 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median labor relations specialist's $78,676 take-home pay has the buying power of $81,162 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Milwaukee, WI has 1.5× the national concentration of labor relations specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for labor relations specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #3 of 32 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $133,270 | $92,459 | $83,732 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $119,200 | $92,687 | $83,402 |
| 3 | Milwaukee, WI | $105,250 | $78,676 | $81,162 |
| 4 | St. Louis, MO | $102,010 | $76,737 | $80,701 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $118,520 | $86,503 | $79,898 |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $96,100 | $74,576 | $78,115 |
| 7 | Cincinnati, OH | $95,350 | $74,069 | $77,665 |
| 8 | San Francisco, CA | $124,400 | $87,337 | $75,542 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 32 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a labor relations specialist make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median labor relations specialist salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $105,250 a year, or about $50.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $71,220 and $124,860.
What is a labor relations specialist’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $105,250 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $78,676 a year ($6,556 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,198 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a labor relations specialist?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $95,420. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $81,162 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #3 of 32 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a labor relations specialist afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 17% of a median labor relations specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- Personal Financial Advisor — $125,810
- Insurance Underwriter — $106,570
- Management Analyst — $102,900
- Project Management Specialist — $100,350
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $96,700
- Loan Officer — $83,660
- Compliance Officer — $81,540
- Accountant and Auditor — $80,290
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $79,770
- Logistician — $78,560
- Cost Estimator — $78,090
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists — $77,860