Comparing salaries between countries is difficult – even more so if you wish to compare international relations salaries. As I am an American expat working in the field of international relations it can be quite a culture shock. There are a variety of factors that contribute to salary and compensation, but I will break down what I have found across my experience in dealing with licensure, re-licensure, salary, benefits and perks. What is important to know is that your salary and compensation will depend heavily on a combination of nationality, experience and location.
International relations specialists are professionals who specialize in international issues and affairs. They research and analyze foreign countries, governments, militaries, political systems and economies. The below column provides salary information for individuals with this kind of specialization.
International relations is a field that has a wide range of options for salary. The type of work you do, your experience level, and the company you work for all determine your potential salary.
In general, the average international relations salary is between $38,000 and $45,000 per year. This includes all types of jobs related to international relations: foreign service officers, diplomats and consular officers, transportation specialists, etc.
However, there are many factors that can affect how much you earn in this field:
- Experience: The more experience you have working in international relations will increase your earning potential.
- Type of job: Some jobs pay more than others depending on their responsibilities or what they involve (e.g., working with people versus working with data).
- Company size: Smaller companies tend to pay less than larger ones because they’re not as profitable for investors; however smaller companies also tend to offer better benefits packages such as paid time off or health insurance coverage which can make up for lower salaries by other means (see “Benefits”, below).
International relations professionals earn an average salary of $63,000 annually. However, the median salary for this position is $61,000 as of 2015. The median hourly wage was $30.99 in 2014.
Salary for international relations
Careers in international relations examine the international system and how individuals, groups, and governments around the globe interact with one another, spanning everything from international commerce and development to diplomacy and disarmament. It’s an extensive, interdisciplinary field of study, and experts in the field are valued for their contributions to government and intergovernmental organizations, multinational corporations, consulting firms, research organizations, NGOs, advocacy groups, and policy think tanks.
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If you want to secure a meaningful position in the field, be prepared to come with a master’s or doctoral degree in an area like international relations, diplomacy, or global business administration and a global worldview to match. The constantly evolving field of international relations has its finger on the pulse of everything from global markets to worldwide crises like the novel coronavirus as they unfold in real time. It’s a domain that relies as much on lifelong learning as it does on having an advanced degree steeped in the theory of international relations.
But your commitment to advanced study in this field, whether it’s in international law, policy, humanitarian issues, or international development, will pay off in spades, resulting in superb personal and professional rewards and salaries to match.
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Salaries Among Recent Graduates of Top International Relations Master’s Programs
Salaries in International Relations by Job Title
The World’s Largest Employers of International Relations Professionals
Salaries Among Recent Graduates of Top International Relations Master’s Programs
The best way to get a clear picture of your earning power as an international relations expert is by examining the salaries of recent graduates from some of the nation’s top international relations/affairs graduate programs.
The Elliot School of International Affairs within the George Washington University publishes annual graduate employment survey reports that provide a good deal of insight into the types of jobs that graduates of master’s degree programs in international relations are securing and the salaries that accompany them.
International Relations Salaries By State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Salaries among the graduating class of 2018-19 were broken down into the following categories, with those earning between $60,000 and $64,999 post-graduation accounting for the largest percentage of respondents:
- $60,000 – $64,999:14%
- $75,000 – $79,999: 11%
- $50,000 – $54,999: 10%
- $45,000 – $49,999: 8%
- $40,000 – $44,999: 7%
- $100,000+: $6%
- $65,000 – $69,999: 6%
- $55,000 – $59,999: 5%
- $90,000 – $94,999: 4%
- $85,000 – $89,999: 4%
- $70,000 – $74,999: 4%
- $35,000 – $39,999: 4%
The majority of the 2018-19 graduates of the Elliot school were employed in the public sector, followed closely by the private sector:
- Public sector: 38%
- Private sector: 32%
- Non-profit sector: 24%
In the public sector, jobs with the U.S. government far exceeded any other industry:
- S. government: 68%
- Multilateral organizations: 13%
- Foreign governments: 7%
- S. military: 7%
- Development assistance/advocacy group: 1%
Within the private sector, graduates were largely employed in consulting/government contracting:
- Consulting/government contracting: 50%
- Aerospace/technology/telecommunications: 13%
- Financial services/trade: 13%
- Media/public relations: 7%
- Law: 5%
- Healthcare: 1%
Within the non-profit sector, graduates were employed in the following areas:
- Development assistance/public health: 31%
- Public interest/research/think tanks: 28%
- University/education: 15%
- Conflict resolution/human rights: 10%
- Foundations/professional and trade associations: 7%
The report also broke down salaries by sector:
- In international affairs, most respondents reported earning between $50,000 and $94,999, with the largest number reporting a salary of between $50,000 and $54,999.
- In international development studies, most respondents reported earning between $60,000 and $89,999, with a near-equal split among the following salary ranges:
- $60,000 – $64,999
- $65,000 – $69,999
- $70,000 – $74,999
- $85,000 – $89,999
- In security policy studies, most respondents reported earning between $45,000 and $79,999, with most in the private sector earning between $75,000 – $79,999 and most in the public sector earning between $50,000 – $59,999.
The John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies also publishes annual employment stats on its MA graduates. The school’s 2019 graduates earned the following (average-maximum salary range):
- Private: $68,011 – $190,000
- Nonprofit: $55,525 – $90,000
- Public: $58,207 – $115,000
- Multilateral: $54,081 – $80,769
Among the school’s graduates, 75% were employed in the U.S., followed by Asia (13%), Europe (7%), Africa (3%) and the Middle East (1%).
Salaries in International Relations by Job Title
PayScale provides some of the most current statistics based on the actual salaries of professionals employed in the field of international relations. According to PayScale, as of September 2020, average salaries for common job titles in international relations that require a master’s included:
- Intelligence Analyst: $76,311
- Management Consultant: $84,643
- Program Manager/Nonprofit: $63,550
- Program Coordinator/Nonprofit: $46,064
- Research Analyst: $54,534
- Communications Manager: $72,615
- Program Officer, Foundation: $65,239
- Director of Communications: $94,061
- Executive Director: $103,890
- Communications Officer: $55,964
- Business Development Manager: $77,505
- Marketing Manager: $69,615
- Policy Analyst: $58,082
- Director of Operations: $100,277
- Product Marketing Manager: $76,411
- Product Manager, Software: $89,272
- Program Director/Nonprofit: $58,943
The World’s Largest Employers of International Relations Professionals
Pinpointing the earning potential for careers in international relations is a tough task, given the vast array of careers in the field spanning the nonprofit, private, and public sectors. Still, the major employers in the field are familiar to anybody who starts their mornings by reading the news of the day.
Government and Intergovernmental Organizations
Some of the most widely recognized entities in government, policy, and law focused on international cooperation are also the biggest employers in the field:
- U.S. State Department
- Central Intelligence Agency
- U.S. Agency for International Development
- National Security Agency
- World Trade Organization
- United Nations
- NATO
Research Centers and Think Tanks
Research and advisory centers, networks and think tanks focused on global economies, diplomacy, international security, conflict management and more are home to exceptional opportunities for careers in international relations.
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For example, researchers with the nonprofit global policy think tank, RAND Corporation, study wide ranging issues like regional security and stability, nation building, space and maritime security, global health and education, and more.
- Brookings Institution
- Global Public Policy Institute
- Center for International Policy
- Council on Foreign Relations
- Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs
- The Heritage Foundation
- International Peace Institute
- RAND Corporation
Humanitarian Organizations
Humanitarian relief organizations provide assistance in response to humanitarian crises resulting from war, natural disaster, climate change, and poverty, serving as a major employer for international relations professionals:
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
- Action Against Hunger
- Feeding America
- UNICEF
- Save the Children
- Doctors without Borders
Private Industry
Private sector corporations of virtually every kind rely on international relations experts to support their business endeavors:
- Consulting firms
- Banking and financial institutions
- Legal agencies
- Defense and intelligence
- Business and manufacturing
- Media companies
- International development
- Research
- Technology and telecommunications
