Salaries in Michigan for Professionals in International Business and Affairs

Michigan’s NGOs and trade organizations rely heavily on expertise in international relations to help them navigate in the international sphere. For instance, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) operates offices in China, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico to help open foreign markets. Professional work of this type requires a fluency with other cultures that is not easily acquired – and this expertise commands a premium in the job market.

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More than 14,800 Michigan-based companies exported goods and services to foreign markets in 2013, supporting nearly 271,000 jobs in the state, according to the US Department of Commerce. A Business Roundtable analysis of these types of jobs indicated that 15% of them were in high-paying areas such as professional, scientific, and technical services in 2008.

Several factors help Michigan to be a major exporter. The state is known for its dominance in industrial research and development, which has made it one of the preeminent locations for manufacturing. The Wall Street Journal reported that auto exports from the US were at record-breaking levels in 2014 for the third year in a row. Michigan exported $25.86 billion worth of transportation equipment in 2014 according to the Department of Commerce—making cars, SUVs, and trucks by far the leading exports from the state.

Salaries for International Business Professionals in Michigan

As the world headquarters for all three American auto manufacturers—Ford, GM, and Chrysler—Detroit exports vehicles to foreign markets all over the world.

Companies with complex supply chains and major logistical hurdles to overcome place a strong emphasis on hiring logistics and supply chain managers with international business experience. In 2014, the median salary among logisticians in the Detroit and Warren areas was more than 12% higher than that for the US as a whole according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics:

  • Detroit – $83,400
  • Warren – $83,100

Those in the Kalamazoo area earning in the 90th percentile of this occupational category enjoyed an average of salary of $142,400 as compared to the national average of $113,900.

The US Department of Labor also provides salary data on a number of other professionals found in Michigan’s multinationals and local exporting companies involved in international trade and commerce:

Profession
Median Annual Salary
Purchasing managers
$94400
Managers (all others)
$90700
Management analysts
$76400
Compliance officers
$67700

The US Department of Labor provides a full salary analysis for professionals classifications often associated with international business in Michigan (2014):

Occupation
Employment
Annual mean wage
Industrial Production Managers
10770
105300
Purchasing Managers
3000
102940
Logisticians
5800
78830
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
11290
62610
Transportation / Storage and Distribution Managers
2010
94000
Compliance Officers
4880
66710
Management Analysts
14220
83480

Salaries for Michigan’s International Relations Professionals

State and federal government agencies and nongovernmental organizations involved in everything from foreign policy analyses and global security, to environmental and humanitarian aid work, rely on the expertise of dedicated international relations professionals.

Bluewater Nonprofit Solutions reported salary data for chief marketing directors who were employed with nonprofits in the north central portion of the US, which includes Michigan. In 2012, the median base salary for these professionals was $86,000, while their maximum salary was $235,125.

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Economists frequently possess expertise in analyzing data that is used for international development initiatives. The Michigan Civil Service Commission reported that economic manages earned between $54,101 and $89,669 as of October 2014.

A US Department of Labor salary survey of Michigan’s international relations professionals conducted in 2014 revealed:

Profession
Median Annual Salary
Labor relations specialists
$54100
Market research analysts
$55900
Fundraisers
$55100

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a full salary analysis for several occupational categories that often contribute to improving international relations (2014):

Occupation
Employment
Annual mean wage
Political Scientists
60
91500
Area Ethnic and Cultural Studies Teachers Postsecondary
150
111180
Interpreters and Translators
1070
41510
Transportation / Storage and Distribution Managers
2010
94000
Compliance Officers
4880
66710
Management Analysts
14220
83480

*The salary is equal to or greater than $187,199. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report the details of salaries that exceed these values.