Salaries in California for Professionals in International Business and Affairs

As one of the largest economies in the entire world, California’s international export market was worth an estimated $168 billion in 2013, up from $161.9 billion in 2012. The escalation of international trade profits has secured California’s position as the leading international exporter in the nation, and has resulted in an increasing number of high-salaried jobs in the state related to international business.

In 2013, the International Trade Administration reported that 75,175 California-based companies exported goods and services to foreign markets. At that time, an impressive 96% of these companies were small-to-medium sized enterprises that employed less than 500 employees.

International business professionals may find the best job prospects in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metropolitan area, as this region exported $76.3 billion in merchandise in 2013, representing 41% of the state’s entire share of exports.

International Business Salaries in California

In 2014, the United States Department of Labor conducted salary surveys to determine the median pay for occupations associated with international business throughout California. The results are as follows:

  • Industrial Production Managers: $99,000
  • Purchasing Managers: $110,500
  • Transportation Storage and Distribution Managers: $86,700
  • Compliance Officers: $75,300
  • Logisticians:   $81,300
  • Management Analysts: $85,700
  • Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists: $70,000

Further analysis shows the full range of salaries for international business professionals in California (US Department of Labor, 2014):

Occupation
Employment
Annual mean wage
Industrial Production Managers
18560
110630
Purchasing Managers
8340
117430
Transportation Storage and Distribution Managers
13500
95720
Compliance Officers
28840
76500
Logisticians
13520
83930
Management Analysts
81870
96360
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
74780
79110

International Relations Salaries in California

Professionals that work in the field of international relations often serve diplomatic roles with NGOs and global humanitarian organizations such as International Medical Corps in Los Angeles and Project Concern in San Diego. By creating and developing strong philanthropic connections with other countries, international relations professionals help pave the way for foreign trade.

In 2014, the United States Department of Labor conducted salary surveys to determine the median pay for occupations associated with international relations throughout California. The findings were as follows:

  • Fundraisers: $59,900
  • Economists: $95,500
  • Urban and Regional Planners: $79,700
  • Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary: $84,600
  • Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary: $76,200
  • Political Scientists: $65,100
  • Area, Ethnic and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary: $72,600
  • Interpreters and Translators: $45,100

Further analysis shows the full range of salaries for international relations professionals in California (US Department of Labor, 2014):

Occupation
Employment
Annual mean wage
Fundraisers
5030
61050
Economists
2610
98590
Urban and Regional Planners
7430
80480
Political Scientists
330
71030
Area Ethnic and Cultural Studies Teachers Postsecondary
740
77790
Political Science Teachers Postsecondary
1280
91410
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers Postsecondary
3370
87760
Interpreters and Translators
8530
49840

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