Government agencies like the Washington Department of Commerce along with non-profit, non-partisan organizations such as the Washington Trade Association and public policy advocacy groups like the Washington Council on International Trade help maintain the state’s presence in the global marketplace. Through trade missions, export financing, risk mitigation, and networking events, these organizations help local businesses gain access to international markets and suppliers.
The dedicated work of these trade entities also continues to ensure high salaried jobs are available to professionals with backgrounds in international business and international relations.
In fact, according to the United States Department of Labor, market research analysts, marketing specialists, compliance officers, management analysts, and political scientists employed in Washington earned some of the highest salaries in their field in 2014:
- Washington was among the top five highest paying states for management analysts in the nation
- The Central Washington nonmetropolitan region was the second highest paying nonmetropolitan area for market research analysts and marketing specialists in the nation
- The Northwestern Washington nonmetropolitan district was the third highest paying metropolitan area for compliance officers in the nation
- The Seattle-Bellevue-Everett metropolitan division was among the top ten highest paying metropolitan areas for political scientists in the nation
International Business Salaries in Washington
The work of Washington’s elite international business professionals enabled the state to sell products to over 200 international markets in 2014. That year, roughly 18% of Washington’s GDP was attributed to international trade deals.
Washington’s international business professionals often pursue positions with companies that specialize in computer software services, aerospace products and parts, or petroleum and coal products, as these goods and services represent Washington’s top international exports.
In 2014, the United States Department of Labor released median salary figures for Washington State-based professionals involved in international business:
- Industrial Production Managers: $96,200
- Purchasing Managers: $118,00
- Transportation Storage and Distribution Managers: $94,500
- Compliance Officers: $64,200
- Management Analysts: $91,500
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists: $69,300
A full analysis of salary data for international business professionals in Washington is shown here (US Department of Labor, 2014):
International Relations Salaries in Washington
International relations professionals in Washington engage in cultural exchange programs, humanitarian relief efforts, and diplomatic missions in order to foster goodwill with countries throughout the world. By doing so, international relations specialists make it easier for Washington businesses to establish successful foreign trade partnerships.
The US Department of Commerce International Trade Administration reported that by 2013, international trade was responsible for supporting 915,225 jobs in Washington. Among these were international relations positions for foreign policy advisors, diplomats, security analysts, immigration specialists and more.
In 2014, the United States Department of Labor published median salary statistics for professionals in Washington that regularly work in international relations:
- Fundraisers: $50,200
- Economists: $79,700
- Urban and Regional Planners: $74,800
- Political Science Teachers Postsecondary: $62,500
- Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary: $50,600
- Political Scientists: $61,800
- Area, Ethnic and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary: $60,300
- Interpreters and Translators: $44,900
A full analysis of salary data for international relations professionals in Washington is shown here (US Department of Labor, 2014):