International Relations Salary

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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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.

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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Salaries for International Relations Professionals

Salaries Among Recent Graduates of Top International Relations Master’s Programs

International Relations Salaries By State

Salaries in International Relations by Job Title

The World’s Largest Employers of International Relations Professionals