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Labor Studies Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This work requires quantitative and qualitative analysis of data, processes, and people (i.e. labor studies, new technologies, etc. * 25% Drive continuous process improvement and lead Lean Six Sigma ...

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Labor Studies information

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$10

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How much do labor studies jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for labor studies in the United States is $17.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are labor studies?

Labor studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the world of work, workers, labor unions, and employment relations. It explores the history, politics, and economics of labor movements, as well as issues like workers' rights, workplace justice, and collective bargaining. Students and professionals in labor studies analyze how labor policies and practices impact society and advocate for fair labor standards. The field prepares individuals for careers in union leadership, human resources, labor law, and social justice organizations.

What profession makes $300,000 a year?

In labor studies, high-paying roles such as senior industrial or construction managers, project directors, or consultants can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities. These positions often require strong management skills, industry knowledge, and sometimes specialized technical expertise.

What can you do with a degree in labor studies?

A degree in labor studies prepares individuals for careers in labor relations, union organizing, human resources, and workforce advocacy. Graduates often work as labor relations specialists, union representatives, or policy analysts, utilizing skills in negotiation, communication, and understanding employment laws.

What kinds of career advancement opportunities are available for professionals in Labor Studies?

Professionals in Labor Studies often find advancement opportunities in roles such as labor relations specialists, union organizers, human resources managers, or policy analysts. With experience, many move into leadership positions within labor organizations, government agencies, or nonprofit advocacy groups. Networking, ongoing education, and active participation in industry conferences can further enhance your prospects for growth. Additionally, some professionals transition to academic or research roles, contributing to the field through teaching or policy development.

What professions make 200,000 a year without a degree?

In labor-related fields, high-paying roles such as commercial pilots, elevator installers, and power plant operators can earn around $200,000 annually, often requiring specialized training, certifications, or apprenticeships rather than a traditional degree. Skilled trades, combined with experience and licensing, can lead to these lucrative positions in industries like construction, transportation, and energy.

What is the difference between Labor Studies vs Human Resources Specialist?

AspectLabor StudiesHuman Resources Specialist
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree often in Labor Studies, Sociology, or related fieldsBachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or related fields
Work EnvironmentAcademic settings, research organizations, advocacy groupsCorporate offices, HR departments, staffing agencies
Industry UsageLabor unions, government agencies, advocacy organizationsPrivate companies, government agencies, consulting firms
Common Search & ComparisonLabor Studies vs Human Resources Specialist

Labor Studies focuses on understanding labor movements, policies, and workforce issues, often in academic or advocacy settings. Human Resources Specialists handle employee relations, recruitment, and organizational policies within companies. While both fields involve workforce understanding, Labor Studies emphasizes research and policy, whereas Human Resources is more about employee management and organizational support.

What is the highest paid labor job?

In labor-related fields, construction managers and industrial superintendents tend to be among the highest paid roles, often earning six-figure salaries due to their leadership responsibilities and specialized skills. Skilled trades such as elevator installers and power plant operators also have high earning potential, especially with experience and certifications. Salary levels vary based on experience, location, and industry demand.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Labor Studies Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Labor Studies Specialist, you need a solid background in labor relations, employment law, and collective bargaining, often supported by a degree in labor studies or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis tools, HR information systems, and industry-specific legal databases is commonly required. Exceptional communication, negotiation, and research skills help you effectively advocate for workers and navigate complex workplace dynamics. These competencies are crucial for analyzing labor trends, supporting fair workplace practices, and promoting productive employer-employee relationships.
More about Labor Studies jobs
What cities are hiring for Labor Studies jobs? Cities with the most Labor Studies job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Labor Studies jobs? The most popular types of Labor Studies jobs are:
What states have the most Labor Studies jobs? States with the most job openings for Labor Studies jobs include:
Infographic showing various Labor Studies job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,442 per year, or $17.5 per hour.
Call for Subject Matter Experts in Child Labor, Human Trafficking & Supply Chain, ILAB Research S...

Call for Subject Matter Experts in Child Labor, Human Trafficking & Supply Chain, ILAB Research S...

Tetra Tech

Arlington, VA • On-site

Other

Posted 8 days ago


Tetra Tech rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

348th of 369 rated engineering


Job description

Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Proposal Summary
MSI is pursuing a five-year contract to provide research and support services to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). DOL/ILAB is commissioning research support services to produce high-quality, timely Congressional and Executive Order reports on forced labor, child labor, and other labor policy priorities. Our team will deliver rigorous data analysis, policy research, technical editing, and communications support, while also strengthening ILAB's capacity through training, stakeholder engagement, and specialized supply chain and trade-related studies.

Position Summary
To augment the core project team, MSI requires a pool of short-term technical experts to support the delivery of work on forced labor, child labor, and other adjacent research issues.  Specifically, this SOW solicits expressions of interest and qualifications for the following three roles:

    Child Labor & Forced Labor Specialist
    Human Trafficking Specialist
    Supply Chain Specialist
Short-term experts will be engaged on an as-needed basis-typically for assignments of 2-8 weeks each-to provide deep technical input, rapid desk reviews, methodological guidance, and in-country advisory support. 
Responsibilities:   
Technical Review & Methodology
    Review and advise on research instruments (questionnaires, interview guides, sampling protocols) for inclusion of child-labor, forced-labor, trafficking, or supply-chain tracing elements.
    Conduct desk reviews of national legislation, ILO/UNESCO statistics, trade data, and academic literature.
    Provide methodological memos on best practices and ethical safeguards for working with vulnerable populations and survivors.
Advisory & Capacity Building
    Participate in and facilitate technical working groups with ILAB staff, implementing partners, and in-country researchers.
    Deliver focused webinars or workshops (2-4 hours) to train field teams on specialized techniques (e.g., supply-chain mapping, victim-centered interview protocols)
Rapid Analysis & Reporting
    Produce concise technical briefs (5-10 pages) analyzing specific country or commodity contexts (child labor prevalence, trafficking routes, supply-chain vulnerabilities).
    Draft sections of human-interest story narratives or policy analyses, ensuring technical accuracy and alignment with ILAB editorial standards.
Field Support
    When authorized, advise in-country teams on data-collection logistics, risk mitigation, and survivor engagement protocols.
    Review and validate field-generated data, interview notes, and preliminary findings.
Qualifications: 
Child Labor & Forced Labor Specialist
    Advanced degree in international development, sociology, child rights, or related field
    Minimum 8 years of technical experience on child labor and forced labor research, policy, or program evaluation
    Demonstrated expertise in mixed-methods research and ethical engagement of vulnerable children and survivors
    Experience supporting DoL assignments in ILAB priority countries, such as Colombia, Vietnam Bangladesh, Honduras, Mexico, Dominican Republic, OR via child-labor and forced-labor studies, grants, and partnerships  throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East/North Africa region 
Human Trafficking Specialist
    Advanced degree in human rights, criminology, law, or related field
    Minimum eight years of technical experience on human trafficking research, victim protection, or prosecution policy
    Experience liaising with law-enforcement, CSOs, and survivor networks
    Experience supporting DoL assignments in ILAB priority countries, such as Colombia, Vietnam Bangladesh, Honduras, Mexico, Dominican Republic, OR via child-labor and forced-labor studies, grants, and partnerships  throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East/North Africa region
Supply Chain Specialist
    Advanced degree in supply-chain management, business ethics, international trade, or related field
    Minimum eight years of experience mapping and analyzing global supply chains for labor-risk identification
    Proficiency with supply-chain tracing tools, commodity flow analysis, and stakeholder mapping
    Experience supporting DoL assignments in ILAB priority countries, such as Colombia, Vietnam Bangladesh, Honduras, Mexico, Dominican Republic, OR via child-labor and forced-labor studies, grants, and partnerships  throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East/North Africa region
MSI Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.

Reasonable Accommodations:

If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech's Disability Assistance Page .Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Additional Information
  • Organization: 216 MSI

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