More than 90,700 jobs in Virginia were supported by the $19.2 billion in merchandise that the state exported to foreign markets in 2014 according to the US Department of Commerce International Trade Association. Among these are high-paying positions for international business professionals serving as supply side managers, wholesale buyers, and import/export compliance specialists among many others.
Virginia’s size and proximity to DC also helps facilitates a high level of engagement in international relations and world affairs, which helps stakeholders in the state establish and maintain strong trade relationships. From NGO directors and foreign outreach workers to foreign policy advisors and immigration specialists, Virginia’s international relations specialists are also well compensated for their specialized expertise.
State and federal government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and universities in Virginia all rely on professionals with an in depth knowledge of international relations. Some of Virginia’s large-scale nonprofits that are involved at the global level include:
- Childfund International USA
- Operation Blessing International Relief & Development Corp.
- International Relief and Development Inc.
The Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia collaborated to produce a detailed report on Virginia’s nonprofits involved in international outreach, cultural exchange and humanitarian work. The report revealed that more than 10,800 such organizations operated in the state as of 2010, employing 235,113 people.
Salaries for International Business Professionals in Virginia
Shown below are the median and 90th percentile salary values for a number of types of corporate management and specialist positions that are frequently involved in international trade and commerce (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014):
*The hourly wage is equal to or greater than $90 while the annual salary is equal to or greater than $187,199. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report salary data greater than these values.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a detailed breakdown of salaries for international business professionals in Virginia as of 2014:
Salaries for International Relations Professionals in Virginia
A Virginia Commonwealth University analysis of earnings for nonprofit managers, directors and specialists in Virginia involved in international outreach revealed that they earned 20% more than those with similar jobs in local government and 5% more than those who worked for the state.
The median salary for executives working for internationally focused nongovernmental organizations in the Southern part of the US was $109,508 as of 2012, with the highest level of compensation among these professionals for this region being $1,220,305.
Shown below are the median and 90th percentile salary values for professions that frequently work in international relations (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014):
Here, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a detailed analysis of salaries for international relations specialists in Virginia for 2014: