Top 20 Highest Paying Jobs in International Relations

Disclosure: International Relations Careers may be compensated by course providers.

Professions in foreign politics can be gratifying since they have the potential to influence global policies, as well as populations. Those that work in this field strive to make a positive impact in the community and are not in it for the money. However, with the right seniority and experience, international relations professionals can earn well too. The following is a list of 20 highest paying jobs in international relations.

International Relations Lecturer

Professors in international relations theory, foreign policy, and political history provide university courses on these subjects. They might also do their own analysis and create articles or books about international affairs. They earn a median of $107,789 annually or $52 hourly in the United States. The upper ten percent of them earn more than $220,000 each year, whereas the lower ten percent get less than $52,000.

Policy Analyst

A policy analyst examines policies for state agencies and major corporations. They utilize extensive research to promote reforms and other policy solutions. Such suggestions assist policymakers in developing new laws and revising current ones. In America, the average annual pay is $73,337, or $35 hourly. The highest ten percent receive more than $103,000 each year, while the bottom ten percent earn less than $51,000.

Diplomat

A diplomatic envoy or foreign office agent is a person who represents a nation and goes to different countries in order to build friendly ties and encourage peace and development. They might help citizens going abroad and those stranded in their host nation amid emergencies, along with informing foreign countries about their cultures and heritage. Diplomats earn an average of $90,304 annually, however, their salary might vary depending on position, country, experience, seniority and education.

International Lawyer

Lawyers with a background in foreign politics handle cases in matters involving international crime or disputes. Human rights, international trade, and maritime law are some of the areas in which international attorneys specialize. They prepare legal papers, conduct research, negotiate contracts, and appear in court on behalf of their clients. For persons with dual diplomas in international relations and law, becoming an international lawyer is a typical career path. In the United States, an International Lawyer’s annual total salary is assessed to be $153,462.

Economic Analyst

An economic analyst is a researcher that examines macroeconomic data in order to identify commercial movements and thereafter develop projections and plans for their company based on such trends. These specialists might operate either for private or government companies. Economic analysts generally need to be informed about commercial and financial developments, as well as the financial market. In the United States, an Economic Analyst’s annual total salary is reported to be $80,864.

Nonprofit Program Coordinator

Nonprofit program coordinators collaborate with other program directors to create and manage programs that promote the foundation’s aims. Fundraising, financing, public outreach, and technical assistance are among their tasks. International program coordinators frequently display a grasp of the cultures related to their company’s objective and use this expertise to build connections with foreign customers. In the United States, the average Program Coordinator (Non-Profit) remuneration ranges from $57,566 to $76,194. Salary ranges rely on a variety of factors, such as degree, qualifications, other expertise, and the length of time they have served in that field.

Regulatory Affairs Manager

These specialists supervise a company’s production operations to verify that it meets all state regulations as well as other regulatory authorities. They keep permits and certificates current and relevant, but also oversee critical assessments of organizational processes. A regulatory affairs manager acts as a link among regulatory agencies and their company’s operations team. In the United States, the approximate total compensation for a Regulatory Affairs Manager is $123,663 annually, with a median wage of $104,318.

Immigration Specialist

The Immigration Specialist is in charge of the certification process and serves as a point of contact for immigration attorneys, candidates, and operations. An immigration specialist’s responsibilities include creating strategies and responses to establish numerous strategies to present legal and judicial processes, teaching clients on various laws and regulations, and preparing visa paperwork. As of March 29, 2022, the average Immigration Specialist pay in the United States was $78,790, with a pay scale of $68,514 to $92,518.

Government Social Research Officer

A government social research officer, conducts analysis to assist ministers in their assessment and judgment about the development, implementation, and evaluation of new and current government programs. The function entails conducting policy review and study, and also procuring and overseeing projects. Government social researchers collaborate with agency experts such as logistic researchers, economists, and statisticians, and also administrative staff. In the United States, most Government Social Research Officer wages generally vary between $34,500 (25th percentile) and $59,000 (75th percentile), where the top (90th percentile) earn around $100,000 yearly. Their wage mostly depends on education level, experience and location.

 

Language Specialist

A language specialist uses interpreting and transcribing in order to translate written text and spoken conversations. A language expert is generally multilingual, allowing them to efficiently express the essential meaning of information from one language to another while taking into account complexity, slang, and figurative language. Most international relations students have curriculums filled with foreign languages, since this kind of knowledge might be useful in their future career. The nationwide median wage for a Language Specialist in the United States is $78,203 annually.

International Logistics Manager

These experts oversee the transportation, processing, and distribution of goods in a worldwide business, with the main goal being proper supply-chain management of a business. Problem-solving capabilities, flexibility, and great communication skills are all qualities that a successful international logistics manager might embody. International Logistics Manager wages in the United States vary from $36,300 to $149,770, with an average of $88,854. International Logistics Managers in the midrange earn $75,000, while the top 83 percent earn $149,770.

Lobbyist

Lobbyists are skilled communicators that act on behalf of individuals and groups to sway political decisions. This effort might result in new policy being proposed or current laws and regulations being amended. Lobbyist wages in the United States vary from $18,102 to $480,369, with an average of $100,561. Lobbyists in the midrange earn between $100,561 and $226,911, with the top 86% receiving $480,369.

Public Relations Specialist

Public relations specialists, often known as media experts or communications strategists, endeavor to establish and sustain a strong image and reputation for the companies they represent. Their responsibilities include assisting businesses in proper communication with the general audience. As of March 29, 2022, the median income in the United States is $69,515, with an income range of $61,088 to $78,836.

International Journalist

International journalism positions include journalistic activities that have an international scope. The tasks involve investigating and commenting regarding current news and events for broadcast, television, internet, papers, and publications. Even though average incomes for International Journalists span from $35,000 (25th percentile) to $75,500 (75th percentile) on ZipRecruiter, a significant proportion of International Journalist salaries currently fluctuate from $35,000 (25th percentile) to $75,500 (75th percentile), with high income earners (90th percentile) getting $110,000 yearly across the United States.

Political Consultant

These specialists assist politicians and government authorities in their initiatives and public reputation management. To push for policy action, they might collaborate with corporations, groups, or lobbyists. Political Consultant incomes in the United States vary from $18,477 to $492,998, with a typical compensation of $88,965. Those in the median earn around $88,965 and $223,508, with the top 86 percent receiving $492,998.

Consular Officer

These personnel are responsible for arranging adoptions, relocating Americans in cases of emergency, and combating human trafficking. Consular officers typically receive between $32,291 and $142,180 per year, based upon their degree and years of service and experience.

Political Affairs Officer

Political Affairs Officers are committed to assisting governments in diplomatically resolving issues and maintaining peace and avoiding hardship. Officers plan and support peaceful political solutions to conflicts and support international diplomacy. In the United States, the median compensation for a political affairs officer is $75,548 annually, however, some positions offer a salary as high as $129,083.

International Military Affairs Officer

International Relations students might regard as interesting some posts like International Affairs Officers in national military services. A military career allows graduates to serve an important part in the implementation of their country’s foreign policy. In the United States, the overall median income for a Foreign Affairs Officer is $96,487 annually.

Marketing Manager

In an increasingly globalized corporate environment, marketing and communications positions might include directing a company’s marketing strategy from research and innovation towards release and maintenance of market share, as well as advertising, media affairs, and marketing duties. As of March 29, 2022, the average marketing executive income in the United States is $110,118, with a pay range from $95,948 to $129,647.

Cyber Security Analyst

The primary responsibility of a cyber security analyst is to secure a firm’s or government’s systems and networks against cybercrime attacks. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average compensation for cybersecurity specialists in 2020 was $103,590.